Chapter 7

Aomame arrives at Willow House, casually dressed. She is let in by Tamaru, a body guard with the appropriate build, and has a German Shepard that eats spinach. Willow House appears to be a haven for abused women. The owner, only known as the dowager, is in her 70's, retired from the stock market, soft-spoken, raises butterflies, and who seems to be Aomame's boss in her assassination work. Over herbal tea, she expresses her thanks for a job well done, by eliminating a violent wife beater. They had done the right thing. She gives Aomame a key, to be mailed back when through using it. They part and Aomame goes back to the front where Tamaru is. She inquires about the widow of her victim to see how she is doing. Aomame then asks Tamaru about the policemen's new uniforms and guns. He goes into a detailed explanation of a bloody shootout between police and a radical group two years ago. Aomame is very bewildered that that event had eluded her, but does not want that to show, as Tamaru would not hesitate to get rid of her, if she showed her existence was not to his employer's benefit. Aomame leaves pondering what she needs to do next to understand why her world was out of whack.