Critical Incidents: The ROK - Land of HAN (A Jack Gunn Mystery Thriller Book 1) by Thomas H. Ward

right fist. He couldn’t breathe and fell to the ground, clearly out of action. The fight was over in a few seconds.
    I quickly eyed his two buddies, who backed away a few steps when they saw their leader fall to the ground in pain. Then one drew a short sword from inside his leather coat. The other pulled out a throwing star or hira-shuriken. I saw his arm wind-up and he threw it. I tried to dodge it, but it hit me in the right side of my chest. I definitely felt the impact.
    The man with the sword screamed something and suddenly charged me. As he raised the sword, I swiftly drew my Glock from its Kydex holster. I managed, just in time, to put three rounds into his body at close range, while firing from the hip. As he fell forward the blade sliced into my jacket, cutting it open from the shoulder down. The star thrower turned and ran away, as his buddy hit the ground with a thud.
    I ordered Ted and Midori to get in the car. Midori was standing there in apparent shock. Going over to Keiko, I helped her up, as she held her finger. It was a nasty break; her index finger was completely bent backwards. Nakanishi was still on the ground trying to breathe.
    I held my gun down at my side in case Nakanishi got up. The dork that ran away soon returned with the big Sumo, who was stationed at the door, along with two other men. I stood my ground as they walked up. I carefully peered at each one for weapons and saw none. They all glanced at the Glock in my hand. The two smaller men helped Nakanishi get up, while Sumo boy checked the man I shot.
    In a deep voice Sumo said, “He dead.” He peered at me and Keiko. He saw her broken finger, my cut jacket, and the shiny ninja star stuck in my chest.
    I told Keiko to get in the car. Glaring at the Sumo, I said, “We don’t want any more trouble. We’re leaving now,” as I slowly backed away while facing them.
    Sumo replied, “Go, gaijin. No come back.”
    I slid into the passenger seat. “Let’s get the hell out of here, Ted.”
    “Where are we going?” Ted asked.
    “Take Keiko to a hospital. Her finger is really fucked up.”
    “What about you? You got a star stuck in your chest. Doesn’t that hurt?”
    “No, not at all.” I pulled the star out and held it up. “My bullet proof vest stopped it.”
    I examined the ninja star. The nasty little thing had four sharp, razor like, points. If this had hit me in the eye it could have killed me. I threw it out the car window.   
    We all laughed in relief, and Midori said, “You no salesman, Jack-san. You are secret agent man, with big weapon.”
    “Yes, you’re right, Midori. I do have a big weapon.” Ted laughed out loud.
    Keiko and Midori giggled and whispered something to each other in Japanese.
    Arriving at the hospital, I said, “We’ll drop you here. Will you be ok?”
    “Yes. I will be ok,” Keiko said. “Thank you.”
    “What about your job and Nakanishi?”
    “No problem. Nakanishi is not the big boss. Big Boss is my good friend. He is in big trouble now, for breaking my finger. Maybe Boss will cut his finger off.” As we drove away they waved goodbye.
    Ted wanted to report the incident to the police. I told him, “That would be a big mistake. The Yakuza won’t report what happen. So we need to keep our mouths shut.”
    Ted replied, “But … you killed a man.”
    “Yeah, in self-defense.” I started to get pissed. “Listen, these guys kill each other all the time. They won’t report it because they don’t want the police snooping around in their business. The police are probably on the take, and they don’t wanna be involved either. Believe me nothing will happen. If you report this, then we might lose our jobs and I could go to a Japanese prison. We have to keep this a secret. Do you agree?”
    Ted nodded ok. “I see your point, Jack. I promise, I’ll never tell anyone.” We shook hands on the deal.  
    That was the last time we ever spoke of the incident. I never saw Midori and Keiko again, but