Why? Who the frag knew. Maybe Barnard expected me to draw off the yakuza's resources, to lead the yak soldiers on a merry chase while . .. While what ? I didn't like the logic behind this train of thought. The way Barnard figured things, leaving me alive would only benefit him. Leaving me on the street with a grudge to settle didn't represent a significant threat to him or to his plans. (Not the most complimentary estimate of my capabilities, neh ?) No, the way he figured things, I'd help him . . . without realizing it, of course. And—here was the most disturbing part—for the life of me (literally) I couldn't figure out how ...