The Reunion

“Mr. Osaka, you called me, Sir,” said the voice with a thick Irish accent.

“Ah, Patrick,” said Osaka a smile coming to his face. “I have good news. The people you wish to meet are on an airplane arriving in Davao later today. I thought you would like to know.”

“Thank you, Sir,” replied O’Keefe. “I can’t wait to meet my father-in-law again.”

“Patience, my friend,” cautioned Osaka. “We all must have patience to get what we want. Toshio will be back about the same time. This information network he’s set up is quite marvelous. We received a call as their plane was pulling away from the gate. He’s done an exceptional job. How are the arrangements going?”

“They’re going well. We’ll be ready to jump off ahead of time if necessary. Boerst has thought of every contingency. We have only one problem.”

“What’s that?” asked Osaka with a hint of annoyance.

“Montoya’s lack of trust for non-Asians. He got into it with me less than an hour ago. He feels none of us can be trusted and that will affect how he makes his decisions.”

Osaka was silent as he contemplated his next move.

“Toshio anticipated this would happen, what are your recommendations?”

O’Keefe answered immediately. “He needs to be eliminated. He will be the wrench in this plan if he isn’t dealt with. I can have it taken care of if you like?”

“No!” replied Osaka quickly. “I will make those arrangements. I agree it must be taken care of, but it must be discrete. It can’t look like murder, or we’ll have problems with the Filipinos.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of killed in action,” said O’Keefe. “That gives you a dead hero to promote to the people and he’s out of our way. I would have a backup plan just in case we can’t make that happen.”