Chapter 24

• Hector's words were really true. The roads had been cleared and were ice-free. I made fast and easy progress despite the traffic. My first destination was the hospital I had spoken to yesterday. It was a different one to the one that had done the previous examinations. It took a moment for the lab technician to take me seriously, but money and my proof that I was a doctor solved everything in the end. He did the blood test for me.
• I left the hospital again and drove to the town centre square. Taking the opportunity to grab a quick bite to eat, my GPS point actually arrived at around 12 pm. I followed it and ended up in a side street in front of an Italian restaurant. I parked the bike a little way away and entered the restaurant.
• I was led by an older lady into a separate room where Toshinki was already waiting for me, a steaming pizza in front of him. He wasn't really any different from before. Small and big-bellied. A half bald head adorned his head. The suit was tailor-made and a hard contrast to the food and the place. He smiled when he saw me and spoke to me in Japanese, apparently concerned that the staff here didn't understand us.