Bast remained seated at the café, his coffee now lukewarm as his thoughts wandered. He pulled out his phone and dialed his secretary.
In Tokyo—
Jeff answered promptly. "Hello, sir."
Bast (serious): "Have you found anything?"
Jeff: "No, sir. Not yet. The house you mentioned was sold two years ago. According to the neighbors, the old woman who lived there passed away. As for the name you gave me…"
Bast leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "What about Mr. Takeshi Haruto?"
Jeff: "I've been searching, sir, but there's no trace of him. None of the neighbors seem to know him either."
Bast (calm but sharp): "Alright. Come back to America."
Jeff: "Yes, sir."
Bast ended the call, his gaze drifting out the window. A heavy silence followed, his expression unreadable.
Bast grabbed his car keys, muttering under his breath,
Bast (low): "Time to pay Mr. Rico a visit..."
---
At an old building—
