The Stein & Candle Detective Agency, Vol. 3: Red Reunion (The Stein & Candle Detective Agency #3) Read Online Free PDF

create an empire that would make Imperial Japan look as peaceful as Switzerland. As Tiny slammed on the gas and we rocketed out of the ruins and into the crowded streets of Tokyo, I had a feeling that this once we were all doing a little good.

    We made two stops, and I counted the seconds, knowing that the ninjas were silently moving through the city, heading for the bay and the boatload of their targets. The first stop was at a payphone. I dialed up Lieutenant Sakai and told him the score. He wasn’t surprised.
    “Ninjas attacking the Yakuza meeting, along with kappa?” he asked. “I understand. It will take some time to get the police force there to rescue them. And even then, our weapons might prove ineffective against kappa and ninja alike.”
    “Don’t worry about that.” I looked at Weatherby, then at the back of the truck. If everything works out, there should be more than enough weapons to go around. “Just get yourself and as many uniforms as you can to the docks. See about getting some boats and reaching the Yakuza ship. We should already be on it.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Candle. This is far beyond what I asked you to do.” There was real gratitude in Sakai’s voice.
    “Yeah, well just have my check ready. If I’m still alive to collect it. Sayonara, lieutenant.” I hung up and walked back to the truck. Tiny started the engine and we were off again.
    The clock was ticking, but we had one more stop to make. It was Weatherby’s idea, and I’d trust him with my life. So no matter how bizarre it sounded, I had Tiny stop the car next to a little vegetable stand at the corner, poked my head out, and asked the wizened old woman there for every cucumber she had. She stared at me in surprise, and only started moving when I waved a fat roll of American dollars at her. Two c-notes paid for two paper bags, stuffed with cucumbers. I took them from her and set them carefully in the back.
    Soon as they were loaded, Tiny hit the gas and we roared off again. I looked back at Weatherby. “You sure this thing will work?” I asked.
    “Oh, I’m utterly certain,” Weatherby replied. He looked back at the cucumbers. “Well, more or less. As long as my father was correct in his studies.”
    “We’d better hope he is. Because right now, those cucumbers are Tokyo’s only hope.”
    I leaned back and waited as Tiny maneuvered the pick-up through dense traffic. He kept us on course, heading for the bay and the long waterfront that made Tokyo a haven for shipping from all over the world. He turned another corner and there it was, spread out like a blue mantle beneath a blue sky. Long docks extended out into the water, while various cargo ships slowly plied the waves. Tiny rode to the nearest pier, before slamming on the breaks and bringing the car to a stop.
    We stepped out, and I spotted a fisherman in a straw hat, bringing his little metal motorboat over to the pier. I ran to him, gun in one hand and money in the other. Weatherby followed, struggling to carry both bags of cucumbers, while Tiny brought up the rear, a large crate tucked under his arm. I didn’t ask what was in it.
    The little fisherman stared at the .45 in my hand and then the dollars. “Take the dough and let us take the boat, pal,” I said, pushing the money in his direction. “We’ll give it back to you – if we’re still alive.”
    He nodded meekly, and took the money.
    “Good choice.” I hopped into the motorboat and started the engine. Tiny and Weatherby clambered in next. Tiny’s weight nearly submerged the boat, but it stayed above the waterline and moved when I turned on the engine. The motorboat shot out into the bay, and I looked around to see where the Yakuza gangs were meeting.
    They might as well have put up a sign. A massive cruise ship, something that should be shuttling millionaires around off of Miami, was anchored in the center of the bay. Yakuza gunmen stood on the edges of the deck, long rifles in their hands. I spotted their