Lady Joker, Volume 1 by Kaoru Takamura (lightest ebook reader .txt) 📕

Chunichi that makes them unable to refuse the demand. For example, there’s a twelve-billion-yen loan that Chunichi has made to Ogura Development, a subsidiary of Ogura, in the guise of a land purchase. From what we’ve heard, three billion of that has disappeared into politico pockets. In any case, the story is that the nonbank that has funded the group of corporate raiders that’s driving Ogura into a corner is said to be affiliated with a certain major player in those city banks that have tried to take over Chunichi.”

“I’d like you to get to the point.”

“This is the point. Early next year that certain city bank that will have absorbed Chunichi will set out to save Ogura. At that time, Hinode Distribution, currently a designated shareholder in Ogura, will also send their members to Ogura’s board of directors. This is the scenario that’s been planned out. Hinode Distribution is of course Hinode’s subsidiary. And that same city bank is Hinode’s main bank. What do you think? That’s corporate society for you.”

“I’m just a dentist.”

“To speak plainly, if anyone were to make a peep about the situation with Ogura, it would immediately trigger a secret investigation by law enforcement. That’s what this is all about. There is already a talk that a journalist based in Osaka is sniffing around. Bringing charges of financial crime is tough as it is, and with politicians involved, who knows what will happen next. Oh, and by the way, that journalist also makes an appearance in this letter too. I mentioned before—he’s one of the three who had been wrongfully terminated by Hinode long ago. Though the letter doesn’t mention him by name.”

“I don’t see how this nonsense relates to myself or my son.”

“You call this nonsense? Of course, Hinode’s current management has abandoned their preferential treatment of particular universities, and they’ve been actively hiring foreigners and people with disabilities, so I’m sure outwardly they seem like an enlightened, liberal company. However, that’s different from the problem with your son. Just when they are getting nervous about the whole Ogura issue, to receive a letter like this is . . .”

Nishimura waved the thick bundle of paper even more energetically before Hatano’s eyes. But it was still a letter written by a complete stranger whose name he had never heard of, and the talk of some transportation company and this bank seemed even more remote.

“I told you, I don’t know any man named Okamura.”

“Tell that to Seiji Okamura. Believe me, there’s no human resources manager who wouldn’t be troubled by a letter like this.”

“Did Hinode’s representative say something about this letter to my son?”

“The answer to that question is this: however Hinode dealt with your son, so long as this letter is addressed to Hinode—never mind that it’s from forty-three years ago—Hinode can’t just say they don’t know anything about it. You get what I’m saying?”

“I don’t.”

Hatano shook his head, and for the first time Nishimura contorted his mouth a little into a faint smirk, but his eyes still did not move. “A well-bred man like you, doctor, doesn’t stand a chance against a corporation, no matter how you try. Before sending two half-hearted letters to Hinode, I might have suggested you hire a lawyer.”

“Where did you see the first letter?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Did someone from Hinode call you about the second letter?”

“Well, you’re free to presume whatever you like. In any case, a business has the right to defend itself. At a time like this they would never think of hiring the relative of a man like Seiji Okamura—no matter how distantly related. Even if it’s a one-in-a-million chance, your son could be Seiji Okamura’s heir. The company would never take on such a risk. As you will understand when you read this letter, Okamura-san clearly criticizes a company called Hinode. Even if it is by coincidence, he also refers to the journalist who is poking around Ogura Transport, a company at the center of this whole mess. That’s it right there—you’re out.”

“Are you a Hinode spy?”

“Why would you say that? I’m only taking the time to tell you all this so that you don’t misdirect your anger. Besides, there’ll be trouble if you go on using the BLL’s name.”

“If there is a right direction, I’d like you to tell me.”

“As I said before, whatever the reason your son decided to leave in the middle of his second interview with Hinode, Hinode has a lot of stories they would rather not have dug up. That’s where this letter comes in.”

Nishimura placed the sheaf of paper on the table for the first time and pushed it toward Hatano.

“It’s a copy, but it’s yours to keep. At this time Hinode would no doubt react sensitively to a letter of this nature. I suggest you do as you please. But, I ask you to keep the source of this letter confidential.” The words were barely out of his mouth before Nishimura and his silent companion stood up from the sofa.

“How much?”

At Hatano’s question, Nishimura’s eyes flickered like a dark blade, as if he had been waiting for just this moment.

“I could have you write us a check for ten or twenty million yen right here, you know? But I’m afraid we’re not in the business of taking money from amateurs. More importantly, you’re a rich man, doctor, so I’m sure you play around a bit with stocks. If you own any Hinode stock, I suggest you sell it in the near future. I promise you this: Hinode stock will plummet very soon.”

As Nishimura said these last words, the look of a seasoned yakuza flashed across his face, and then he left with his associate.

For a long time, Hatano stared at the thick bundle of paper on the table. The photocopy itself was new, but it looked as if the original document had been repeatedly duplicated using a blueprint process, and perhaps because the original letter was written in pencil, the letters were blurry and rubbed