Chapter 17

I could see every window on three sides. They were floor-to-ceiling and gave the impression that we were a part of the outside.

I turned slowly. Everything was done in black. Black bed, black slate floor, black wool rugs, black wood and glass tables, black flat screen television suspended from the ceiling, black fireplace, black component system. He turned on a light switch, and though we had been in total darkness, I had no problem seeing anything. When the lights came on it looked as if stars were imbedded in the ceiling. The distant cityscape and natural starlight from outside seemed to meld as one with his room.

"Tony, I can't believe this room."

He picked up a remote control, and the sounds of Billy Holiday came from the speakers. "Do you like Billy Holiday?"

"I love Billy Holiday."

He smiled. "Kaniji hated jazz. She could only listen to Japanese music. And she hated this room because of the windows. She was thought that at some point the sun would weaken the protective ba