11
“Come, butterfly
It's late-
We've miles to go together.”
― Matsuo Bashō
Kempeitai Headquarters
Yukon Station
“You requested my presence, Major Summatsu?”
“Yes, Captain Atsumi. Please take a seat.”
She straightened from her three-quarter bow and primly sat on the wooden chair.
“How may I serve the major?”
She kept her tone military and official, yet she knew it affected him more than that. She was the only young Japanese woman north of Fairbanks. She dared not show a hair’s width more attention to any one man here over any other, as the results would be disastrous for her career.
“It is time to begin training Mr. Fischer in the fine art of investigation. He has had a week to meet all of the personnel under his direction and we must forge his resolve before his attitudes harden.”
“Other than what I have already done, how should I proceed with his education?”
“First, discover what he already knows. Keep in mind that what we really need is a spy, not an investigator. Try to infuse a sense of Bushido into his being. Above all, we must keep him sufficiently motivated throughout.”
Captain Atsumi’s face allowed a slight smile to surface before regaining control.
“I firmly believe he knows nothing other than his job of adding numbers and making the columns balance. Fear has always proven to be an excellent motivational tool.”
Major Summatsu awarded her a quick nod.
“The fact that he is a Jew in an anti-Semitic world is at the core of his psyche. Self-preservation dictates he keeps this fact secret. Use the threat of extraditing him to the Gestapo only as a last resort.”
“Do you think he would actually call our bluff?”
The corners of Major Summatsu’s mouth twitched once, the closest thing to a smile as she had ever seen on his face.
“Of course he wouldn’t. He is a rabbit.”
“I will begin his training tomorrow morning.”
“Keep me apprised of his progress.”
As she left the office, Captain Atsumi wondered why she had not told the major of Fischer’s nihilistic attitudes and statements. Retaining that observation of his mental make-up might give her an edge over her superiors in the future.
Perhaps I am guilty of amae, anticipating unofficial indulgence on the part of Levi Fischer. This makes me a conspirator, she decided. The thought gave her a secret thrill of pleasure mixed equally with apprehension.