Casino

"Why are we searching that casino? There aren't any suspicious activity right?"

There was a folding screen standing in the room. Both Gina and Takahiro were changing clothes to get ready.

"It's a popular venue for both cities. We might find some clues in there. And probably it's the less suspicious and less dangerous place for our mission. That's why Shin is sending us there."

Takahiro tightened his black tie. He always liked black, so he was dressed in black.

"Come on, I'm ready."

"Oh, you can go downstairs. I'll be there in a minute."

"Alright."

Takahiro went down the stairs. Shin was waiting for him.

"Hey, why did you come here alone, where is the lady?"

"We're about to go on a mission, Shin."

"And she's your wife in this mission."

Takahiro sighed. He was sure that Shin was doing that on purpose. Takahiro lived alone, and he was already in his early thirties. So he understands why Shin was doing that. No matter how important their mission was, Shin was having trouble suppressing his excitement.

Then, Gina slowly started coming down the stairs. She was wearing a red dress with red satin gloves and red heels. An elegant pearl necklace was worn around her neck.

"I'm not used to dress like this, it feels very uncomfortable."

"Me neither, this suit feels tight, not suitable for any conflict."

"You're not going to war, Lieutenant." answered Shin. "It's more of a spy mission. That also means you can't take your pistol."

"So we're going there unarmed?"

"Yeah."

"It's not my specialty."

"But Gina's is. You'll be more like a bodyguard. Just don't cause any problems and try to learn anything you can about Grizzly. Oh and..."

Shin took a small photo out of his pocket.

"...that's Takao Yuuichi, at least it's a picture of him from 7 years ago. We don't know what he looks like right now but that's all we know about him. That man literally made himself a ghost."

Takahiro took a look at the picture. There was a man with dead-looking eyes and shoulder-length black straight hair, probably in his thirties.

'Then he gotta be in his early fourties right now.'

"Got it. We'll be careful."

Gina took Takahiro's arm. She seemed to be happy in current situation.

"Shall we go then?"

When they came to the casino, they left the car to the valet.

"I will keep an eye on you without drawing any attention to myself, so feel free to do what needs to be done." whispered Gina's ear.

They were using a small earpiece to stay connected to Shin. Of course he was following them through the bodycams too.

They entered the casino, it was a really big and crowded fancy place.

'It gotta cost a lot.' thought Takahiro.

Takahiro touched Gina's back twice with his fingers. Gina started to get going. Takahiro stayed back and started watching her and her surroundings. They were allowed to wander around without doing anything, as long as they don't disturb anybody.

Gina started watching some poker tables. She was the most attractive person around that table for sure.

'I rather see her in a military uniform, though.'

Takahiro kept watching her for the whole time, while pretending to sit in a bar. He was listening the people in that bar at the same time.

"Hey, did you hear. Boss will be visiting the casino this night." said a drunk man to his friend.

'Boss?'

"You're being too loud, how much did you drink?"

They didn't seem to be bodyguards or something. They were casual visitors in suits. Even though they say boss, it could be anybody around here. Maybe they were just some office workers, who knows?

"You better keep an eye on them. It might be worth finding out who their boss is."

After a while, they got up and left the bar. But Gina was still watching a table. Still, it'd have taken just a few minutes, and Shin can inform him if any problem show up.

Takahiro started following them. They used the elevator to go down to the VIP parking lot.

"Be careful down there, Takahiro. Do not take any risks. I smell something fishy about this."

As Takahiro went down to the parking lot, he didn't see anybody. He waited a bit for Shin to report because he could see the heat resources through his body cam, but Shin didn't say anything. His instincts started warning him. Even though that parking lot was built under the whole casino, it was weird to lose the signal.

Takahiro started walking. He didn't see or hear anybody. His hand went down to his belt by reflex, but there was no pistol waiting for him.

"Hands up, partner."

Takahiro felt somebody was pointing a gun behind him. He raised his hands.

"Which cowboy are you?" asked Takahiro calmly.

"It ain't wild west."

"If you say so."

Second guy showed up front of him. He wasn't holding anything.

"Are you alone?"

"Yes, I was just here to drink back in the bar and watch people gamble."

"Why did you follow us then?"

"I was about to return home. My car is parked here."

It became silent a bit. Then the guy front of him sighed.

"My apologies, friend. Don't worry we don't have a gun or something. We thought you're here to collect our debt and that's why we got a little bit nervous."

Takahiro turned his head and take a look behind him, he was telling the truth. But still, that fishy smell didn't vanish from the air.

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know that I made you guys nervous. It's a big misunderstanding then." Takahiro was gently laughing. "I'm Kunigami Yuuichi, nice to meet you."

As the guy heard the name Yuuichi, Takahiro saw him startled.

'Now we have a clue.'

He knew it was risky to say the name Yuuichi, but it was worth to take that risk.

"Oh, uh nice to meet you too. Now excuse us please."

The man didn't say his name, he was panicked for sure. Takahiro didn't get any chance to place a tracker on him. Only if they could shake hands would it be possible. But Takahiro didn't push his chance any further.

He took his car and drove outside. Finally the signal came back.

"Hey, what happened in there?" asked Shin.

"I got a lead, no worries. Tell Gina to return back, I'm waiting her on the exit."