But it was too late.
"An excellent idea." He nodded gravely, then turned to me. "Do you
intend to be part of this expedition as well, Mr. Walton?"
What to do? The only moves left now were defensive. No way was I going
to let Tam face the beast alone. Also, if Noda had me, he wouldn't need
Amy.
"I assume you can spare me here for a few days."
"But we will all be in Japan together." He removed his thin, wireless
spectacles. "That is in fact the very matter I needed to discuss with
you. It is time you both were brought more closely into the matters at
hand. Beginning today. I've already made reservations on New York
Helicopter, departing for Kennedy in two hours. From the East Thirty-
fourth Street heliport."
He had us. He'd seized the initiative, feinted us off balance, and
defined the terms.