[More so than the abrupt yank that drags Liem onto his toes, or the stub of the lit cigarette inches from his face, it’s the words Minegishi snarls in a breathless rush that carve a frown between his brows. He knows from experience that it isn’t always possible to take a break from situations that are causing significant amounts of stress, and that sometimes you really do just have to push through regardless—but Minegishi seems on the verge of burning himself up along with his pack of smokes. Frankly, Liem is concerned.

When he’s released to stagger back away from the younger man, he breathes a short sigh and begins paging through his notebook again.]

A business frequented by our man’s wife. [He glances at one of the pages.] A parlour called Three Magpies. We might find what we need there.

[He eyes Minegishi as he works on yet another cigarette. How long until he goes through the entire pack at this rate?]

But I’m serious—you can’t do this every time something goes wrong. Manhandling me isn’t going to get the results either of us need.