Akira Takenaka was waiting under the porch, wearing a raincoat but soaked to the skin anyway. He barely seemed to register Akiko’s presence, speaking to Shiraishi as soon as the door opened.

“Have you seen my father today?â€ Shiraishi was as surprised by the question as Akiko, and didn’t answer immediately. “Please, it’s important.â€

“Yes. Come in out of the rain, Akira, and tell us what’s going on.â€ Shiraishi sounded a bit worried, and Akiko withdrew a little as Akira came inside, dripping on the floor in the entryway.

“When did you see him?â€

“This morning. He came early, to have a ceremony done. Why?â€

“He’s missing.â€

“Missing?â€ Shiraishi’s tone was quizzical. “What do you mean?â€

“We haven’t heard from him today.â€ Shiraishi glanced at her watch.

“It’s only half nine. Maybe he’ll be back later. He does have his favourite bar, after all.â€

“He’s not there. Did he say anything this morning?â€

“Anything?â€ Akiko could tell that Akira was really worried, more so than seemed reasonable. You got worried when a child was late home, not when it was your father.

“You know what I mean.â€ Akira sounded almost angry, but Shiraishi shook her head.

“No, Akira, I don’t. Of course he spoke to me, and he didn’t say anything that sounded particularly strange.â€

“But what did he say?â€ Akiko remembered how tense Mr Takenaka had appeared, and found herself starting to get worried. Maybe there was a good reason for Akira’s nerves.

“He wanted a ceremony to ask for success in a business negotiation. We didn’t have a very long conversation.â€

“A negotiation today?â€ The question seemed very important, judging from the urgent tone in which Akira asked it.

“Yes, I think so. Yes, I’m sure it was.â€

Akira’s face fell, and for a moment he looked wildly round the entrance hall, as if expecting to find his father hidden there.

“Akira, what is it?â€ Akiko realised that Shiraishi was talking to Akira almost as if he were a child. He stopped searching with his eyes, and took a deep breath.

“I’m worried. My father has been under a lot of stress, and he had a meeting today. I heard him say something about “last chanceâ€ to the foreman when he thought I wasn’t listening. No-one, not us, not his employees, have heard anything from him since he left this morning.â€

“What about the company he had a meeting with?â€ Shiraishi now sounded concerned as well.

“I called them. The meeting happened, but they weren’t able to give him any contracts. They were a bit surprised to hear from me, I think. They said he had left their offices around two.â€

“And you say he isn’t at the bar?â€

“No. I wondered whether he might be here.â€

“Here?â€

“He used to come sometimes, in the night, to think.â€

“Really?â€

“He did; I met him a couple of times,â€ Akiko said, and Akira, seeming to notice her for the first time, managed a weak smile.

“So, have you seen him tonight?â€ Shiraishi shook her head.

“I haven’t, but I haven’t been out since I closed the shrine building at sunset. He could have come after that. Ms Tanahata, have you seen him?â€ Akiko shook her head, and Akira slumped a little.

“Could I look for him? Make sure he isn’t here?â€

“Of course,â€ the priest replied. “We’ll help.â€