Fatal Reaction

tea. I stood near the window as Hiroshi fussed over the tray making sure everything was exactly as it should be. When he was finished and the check signed, I took a seat opposite him.
    “You know how strongly Danny believed in a strategic alliance between the Takisawa Corporation and Azor Pharmaceuticals,” I said, once the tea had been poured. “He believed it presented a unique opportunity to not only make a lifesaving drug, but to put our efforts at the forefront of pharmaceutical research for many, many years. Danny’s death has not changed that.
    “I have not yet had the honor of meeting your father-in-law, but I have read much of what has been written about him. Everyone speaks of his wisdom and his vision. But I know how difficult it is for American and Japanese companies to establish a relationship of trust. , From what Dr. Azorini tells me Danny and your father-in-law had mutual respect for each other based on the value of your long friendship with him. I have come to ask for your help and support in continuing the friendship between our companies even though our friend Danny is no longer with us.”
    Hiroshi sipped his tea thoughtfully before responding. “In some ways we are not so different in Japan as you in America may think,” he said. “Fathers are still fathers, and sons-in-law unfortunately are still the ones who have stolen the affections of their beloved daughters. My father-in-law has achieved much in his long life, but the men of his generation are deeply suspicious of dealing with the West. I would be lying to you if I told you that my father-in-law has no reservations about Dr. Azorini. That he is a doctor, a chemist, and a businessman is something my father-in-law finds difficult to understand. He wonders why Dr. Azorini has not chosen one path as opposed to trying to walk many.”
    “Dr. Azorini’s background has prepared him well for the path he walks as president of a pharmaceutical company,” I replied.
    Hiroshi nodded, but I could not tell whether he was agreeing with me or merely indicating that I had his attention. “I think it is also a concern that Azor Pharmaceuticals seems to be one man’s company.”
    “Unlike Takisawa?” I countered quickly.
    “Ah, but the Takisawa Corporation is more than forty years old, and it will live on long after my father-in-law has gone.”
    “Then there was a time your father-in-law well remembers when his company was six years old.”
    “But never a time when it was the product of such a dynamic personality as Stephen Azorini. You must understand, Miss Millholland, I am only playing the devil’s advocate. I believe as Danny did that through our investment in Azor Pharmaceuticals our company would be making an investment in the future. But if I am to help you as you ask, I must tell you what concerns you will face from my father-in-law.
    “Tatsuro Takisawa lost half his family in the bombing in Nagasaki. You can understand that experience has made him deeply suspicious of the intentions of the West. That Stephen is so unusual, in his background as well as his demeanor, makes my father-in-law very nervous. Danny’s death is most unfortunate in that it is unexpected. Tatsuro does not like anything that rocks the boat. He does not like change and he does not like surprises.”
    “You have my word,” I assured him gravely. “From here on in, I promise, there will be no surprises.”
     

CHAPTER 21
     
    When I arrived at LaGuardia, it was in its usual end-of-the-day nightmare state. Beleaguered businessmen in crumpled suits wearily humped their briefcases and laptops down crowded concourses that reeked of popcorn and seemed to go on forever while babies cried and electric carts beeped. I got to the gate only to learn to my disgust that my plane would be delayed for some unspecified amount of time by fog in Boston. After twenty minutes or so of serious jockeying at the ticket counter I anted up my gold card and snagged the last first-class seat on a flight that left in twenty minutes. Sprinting to the farthest gate on the most distant concourse I managed to make it on board just as they were closing the doors.
    As we were about to pull away from the gate the flight attendant announced that there was something wrong with the locking mechanism to the jetway. We sat on the ground for another hour and a half until they were finally able to fix it. By the time I finally arrived at O’Hare, it was after ten o’clock. All I wanted to do