The Puppet Master (Connor Reed Series Book 7) by Quentin Black

Author:Quentin Black [Black, Quentin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-14T16:00:00+00:00

Through her prior study, Ciara had knowledge of most of the guests who courted her attention. Akio Shigeta would introduce her as an international business consultant. Shigeta’s manipulation of the other guests made them act in deference towards her, despite them being among the most influential people in one of the most developed nations on earth, and it seemed surreal. Maybe he had manipulated her also, as she found herself espousing the benefits of backing the Okada Company.

She would periodically catch Shigeta’s wry smile and sensed his amusement at the party’s attendees’ responsiveness towards her.

As the crowd’s consumption of sake and other alcohol grew, their cultural inhibitions began to loosen. Shortly after observing this, Shigeta got up onto the stage—again with the translator by his side.

“Ladies and gentlemen. The recreational part of my residence is now open to you. If you wish to indulge, you will be given a necklace with a key and led to an individual room where you will change into a Kimono without pockets. There is a selection of masks to choose from if you wish to wear one. Then, you may be a voyeur or participate in anything that is on offer. For those who do not wish to participate, you can stay here.”

A Japanese ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, thought Ciara.

As Shigeta stepped down, no one made a move for the door. She understood the hesitancy, as Shigeta stood by her. He whispered, “The couple walking slowly to the corner will be the first to go in. I think after three minutes. Once they have, the rest will follow.”

“Not your first time?”

“No, but the first time with this crowd.”

“So, beyond those doors will be masked figures in red robes and gold masks, chanting, swinging pots of burning incense?”

He frowned, “Chanting?”

She smiled, “Never mind.”

She sipped her lemon chuhai, “I wasn’t aware you were a sponsor for Okada.”

“They might change the world.”

“Indeed,” she said. “So your motives are purely altruistic?”

Shigeta didn’t speak for a moment, but then said, “Doing a good thing and making a profit, or obtaining a service, does not have be mutually exclusive. We have spoken about this.”

She gave a seemingly absent-minded nod, but noted the ‘obtaining a service’ part.”

She nudged him and said, “Well done.”

His eyes followed hers to his predicted couple entering the doors first.

“Ahh yes,” he smiled. “Knowing a person’s motivation is a crucial business skill.”

Ciara replied, “It is a crucial skill in a lot of areas.”

He nodded before gesturing with his palm to the open doors. “Shall we? You will have your own room to change in, of course.”

“Of course,” she smiled. “Let’s go.”

He led her through the entrance on the far right—closed until they reached it. Everyone else had gone through the other open doors. Her senses began to sharpen—maybe it is to exacerbate this illusion of me being special.

Polished wood and spotless white paper made up the left side of the corridor, with huge glass windows on the right. The red-leafed trees watched them both walk down.

A heavy-looking, iron bird feeder hung mid-way down with its roof resembling a temple.

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