by I. J. Parker
After a while Saburo said, "I'm worried about the woman. What if they guess she helped us?"
"Can't be helped. Maybe they won't catch on. I'm worried about what Kitagawa will do next. They have our horses. I'd like mine back. Best horse I ever had." Saburo muttered, "Good griefl" ==
They arrived home with the dawn, though it was not much lighter. Dense clouds hid the sun. The rain had gusted until they were soaked to the skin, and all around them trees tossed in the wind. The storm had begun.
In spite of the weather, the morning brought Lieutenant Mori again. He came, accompanied by ten constables and demanded to see Tora.
Tora and Saburo, dry again and in their ordinary clothes, greeted him together in an anteroom.
"What brings you this time, Mori?" Tora asked. Mori looked at him closely, perhaps searching for signs of the night's adventure. "I'm here to arrest you, Lieutenant Sashima."
Tora raised his brows. "Why?"
"For desecrating the graves of the Kitagawa family and their retainers."
"Don't be silly. You can't arrest us. But you can arrest Kitagawa. We are charging him with attacking us, stealing out horses and confining us against our will. That sort of thing, when carried out against the rightful representatives of the emperor in this province, amounts to treason. I believe Kitagawa is looking at exile. And we'll make sure they don't send him back north among his friends. He'll go to Kyushu, to the mines there, if I have my will."
Mori stared at him. "You can't give any orders while the governor is absent. Where is he anyway? This absence is not a good, start. Not when his underlings manage to insult decent citizens, threaten retainers of ranking noblemen, and desecrate grave sites."
"All lies by men engaged in illegal trade and piracy."
Mori drew himself up. "Are you going to come peacefully, or do I have to call my constables?"
Tora shot Saburo a glance and chuckled. "Have to give it to the policeman," he said. "He's got nerve and stubbornness."
Saburo was not smiling. He regarded Mori's wet police uniform and the wilting tufts of starched fabric on his official cap and said, "You should have worn a straw coat and hat, Lieutenant. The weather's nasty. Best hurry home before the storm gets worse."
Mori glared, hesitated, bit his lip, and said, "You'll be very sorry. Both of you." Then he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.
The door closed. Tora shook his head. "Now he really hates us. You shouldn't have made fun of his uniform."
They both laughed.
A strong gust of wind shook the tribunal building. Tiles clattered to the ground outside.
"I have to go back to the residence," Tora said, glancing up at the ceiling. "Her ladyship has only her women with her. I hope this is the worst of it."
But the storm had only just started.
34 Mrs. Inabe
It was still before dawn when Akitada arrived at the Golden Dragon. He left his horse outside and went in. Only a sleepy boy was in the reception area. He stared at Akitada's face and clothes and said, "We're full up. Best go elsewhere."
Akitada was too worn out to explain. He snapped, "I'm Sugawara and I'm a guest here. Is the water still hot for a bath?"
The boy stammered, "Yes, sir. What happened, sir?"
"My horse stumbled. It's outside. Someone can take it back to the post station." He reached into his sash. Mildly surprised he had not been relieved of his money, he fished out some coins and handed them over. The boy bowed. He looked a little less nervous about this blood-stained guest.
In his room, Akitada saw with satisfaction that clean clothes awaited him. Not only had the inn had his other shirt washed, but Mrs. Akechi's shop had sent his new clothes. He went to the bath house, stripped, washed himself, and then slipped into the deep tub. The water was no longer really hot, but it felt wonderful nonetheless. He leaned back and closed his eyes. His face still stung and his nose throbbed, but otherwise he felt much better. His head had stopped hurting some time during the night.
As he dozed in the water, he considered all that had happened to him. He could understand why the high constable had sent his soldiers to the shed. No doubt, Lieutenant Mori had attempted once again to shift the responsibility for the prowlers onto someone else's shoulders. Sukemichi's men must have been responsible for removing the bodies of the four robbers as well as the goods that had been stored in the shed.
The soldiers who had arrested inn were probably there to see if any of the dead men's colleagues had returned to their lair. He chuckled softy at the thought that his appearance had deteriorated to the point of making him look not just like a slave but like a robber.
Akitada was not a vain man, and the many years of poverty had not encouraged him to splurge on fine clothes, but he was quite conscious of proper and tasteful attire and becoming more so now that he had the funds to indulge himself. He looked forward to putting on the new silver-gray robe and trousers. And this reminded him of the package of silks he had purchased for his wile and daughter. He hoped they would be pleased. Alas, Yukiko, who should have been on his mind every day and night since he had Ieft her, had been nearly forgotten over the allair of' the missing princess. He drifted off into memory. His wife's melodious laugh, her graceful movements, her solt lips on his and her smooth limbs under his caressing hands ...
At that point he got out of the water quickly, wrapped himself into the cotton robe provided by the inn, and padded back to his room for a short rest before sunrise.
==
He did not wake until afternoon. By then he was ravenous. He dressed, enjoying the feel of soft silk on his skin again, and then went out for a meal. People glanced curiously at hin, and at first he thought his new clothes were the reason, but he realized quickly that they were staring at his bruised face. This made him self-conscious and he hurried through a meal of fish and vegetables before making his way to the police station.
Here, his changed appearance was received in a slightly more gratifying manner. He had risen in status in the eyes of the constables. Leutenant Matsuura, who should not have been astonished, also seemed a little more polite.
"Lieutenant," Akitada said alter courteous greetings had been exchanged, "I've come about that monk you arrested. Is he still in your jail'"
Matsuura stiffened slightly. "Yes, sir. We should have a confession today. He was on the point of breaking during this morning's interrogation."
Akitada pictured the cruel flogging that would have accompanied this form of interrogation and flinched. "I think you have the wrong man, Lieutenant," he said more coldly. "I expect the monk was in the wine shop when the fight broke out and picked up the amulet there. As he was out of funds for more wine, he went across the street and sold the amulet, then returned to buy more wine. Your killer is most likely someone who was involved in the fighting and dropped the amulet during the tussle. I think you'd do well to find out who the fighters were and investigate them."
Matsuura had listened with a frown. "They were all local men. The monk is the only one who doesn't belong here."
"Not all strangers are murderers," Akitada pointed out. "Neither are all inhabitants of Uji-tachi above suspicion."
"Unless you have something more incriminating about those other men, I don't see myself approaching them with such an accusation."
Akitada sighed. An experienced police officer would have some idea how to proceed diplomatically in such a case. "I'll check with a few people and get back to you. But do not flog that man again until we are more certain of the true situation. Meanwhile, you might talk to the waitress in the wine shop. She will support my notion, and she might remember something else about the incident."
Matsuura was not pleased by this, but he nodded. He glanced at Akitada's face, hesitated and then asked, "Did you meet up with trouble, sir?"
There was no point in fobbing Matsuura off with a tale of falling off his horse. Besides it made him look foolish. Akitada said, "I found the shed where I was held prisoner. Unfortunately,
the high constable's men mistook me for one of the prowlers and arrested me. I spent the night in some cell on Sukemichi's property. I wondered why they suddenly released me. Did someone contact you to ask about me?"
Matsuura had trouble keeping a grin off his face. He said, "I am shocked, sir. A most unfortunate mistake. Yes, the high constable did send someone to ask me if I could confirm that you were staying in the area. I thought it best to tell the truth."
Akitada nodded. "I must thank you, though Sukemichi made no attempt to apologize. I suppose, he cannot be blamed too much. In any case, it appears he's taken care of the dead prowlers and the stored goods. Did you receive any explanations?"
"No, sir. But I did ask for his support. He may eventually ask to speak to me."
"Hmm. Well, it's none of my business. I'll take my leave then and see what I can do about the monk."
He had hoped to avoid his next visit.
==
The River Palace was very quiet. To his relief Mrs.Inabe's husband was not in sight. She sat behind the counter watching the street. Her eyes widened when she saw him and then she did another double-take when she realized who the gentleman in gray silk was. She rose to her feet and bowed.
"I hope you are well, Mrs. Inabe," Akitada said. "Quite well," she murmured. She would not lift her eyes to his. "How may I serve you, sir?"
"Is you husband about?"
"I'm very sorry but he went out a while ago."
"Good, because I want to talk to you and don't want him to hear what I have to say."
Now her eyes met his. She suddenly looked frightened. "Is it about what Seijiro did to the dwarf?" she asked.
"No. It's about Keiko." "Keiko?" Her voice trembled. "The monk in jail did not kill her."
"Oh." She raised her hands to her mouth but said nothing else.
"Tell me, why is it that you sent your daughter away to work in another province?"
She did not answer, but the fear in her eyes told him he had guessed correctly.
"Did your husband try to seduce Keiko?"
She looked away. "No. It wasn't that way. He said Keiko lied. He said he could not live in the same house with her."
"So you sent her away."
The tears came then. "I ... I was afraid of him," she muttered. "I was afraid of what he'd do to her. I thought - it was better. Safer."
"Ah. But it wasn't safe, was it? Keiko came to visit you. She came because she missed her mother."
She sank to the floor, sobbing and rocking back and forth.
"When did you realize it was he who raped and killed her?"
She shook her head violently. "No, no. I didn't know. Not at first. Then they arrested the monk and I thought I'd been wrong."
"But you've changed your mind? Why? What happened?"
She raised her tear-stained face to him. The innkeeper was not particularly attractive at the best of times and looked both old and ugly now. He had wondered from the start what the much younger Segiro could have seen in her. Now he knew. When Inabe found out that she owned the inn, he had courted her. He had married this plain woman who was much older than he for her property and accepted the pretty young daughter into the bargain. Only Keiko had not wanted him.
She got up and reached into a box under the counter. When her hand emerged, it held a small bead. Akitada recognized it. "This is one of Keiko's prayer beads."
She nodded. "It was in his sleeve. I found it when I washed his jacket."
Neither said anything. Then Akitada nodded. "He had the amulet too but lost it in a fight in one of the wine shops. The monk picked it up."
"Oh." She had stopped crying and seemed resigned now.
"Lieutenant Matsuura is flogging the monk to get a confession."
She towed her head and sighed.
Akitada said sternly, "Mrs. Inabe, you know what you must do, don't you?"
"He'll kill me, too."
"Take a neighbor with you and have a friend stay with you until he has been arrested."
"Yes," she said. She nodded as if to convince hersell: "Yes. I must do that. I can see that I must do it for my poor child."
35 Precious Butterfly
When Akitada emerged from the River Palace, he found Junichiro waiting for him. The dwarf's eyes widened when he saw Akitada.
"How fine you are!" he cried, then looked anxiously at Akitada's bruised lace. "What happened this time? Are you all right' I've been so worried."
The realization that he had somehow endeared himself to this little man almost overcame Akitada. Had Junichiro been normal size, he would have embraced him. As it was, he laid his hand on Junichiro's spiky red head, smiled, and said, "I'm well, my friend. And I thank you for the compliment on my clothes. Would you like a new suit?"
Junichiro bristled. "Why? What's wrong with this one?" He looked down at his multi-colored child's outfit and struck a pose. "I think I'm very fine, too."
"I beg your pardon," Akitada said quickly. "Of course you are. I only wondered if you might like another. A man likes a change now and then."
"Oh, well, maybe. But first, what happened?" Akitada looked up at the sky. The sun was high, but it was clouding up. Rain was coming. It was high time, too. The last weeks had been much too dry and hot for this time of year. Already some of the trees were losing their leaves. A good rain would be most welcome.
He said, "Come, it's almost time for the noon rice. Let's go to that place you mentioned. The Kingfisher, was it?"
"Your treat?" "My treat."
As they walked, Akitada told him about Lord Minamoto paying a ransom for the return of the princess.
Junichiro whistled at the amount. "And is she back?" he asked.
"No. At least she wasn't last night. And I doubt she will be returned. She's either already dead or this is about more than gold."
Junichiro frowned. "That's not good. But what happened to your face."
"I decided to check on the ransom and then started looking for the shed."
"You mean you went climbing around in the forest at night again? After what happened last time?"
"I was careful," Akitada said defensively. "And I had a horse this time. In any case, I found it."
They reached the restaurant where they were greeted by the waiter who regarded Akitada's new silks as acceptable but hesitated when he saw Junichiro.
Junichiro eyed the crowded dining area and informed him, "Some abalone for me and my friend, the governor. And make sure you give us nice large ones."
The waiter capitulated, made Akitada a bow, and showed them to a place well in the back. When he was gone, Junichiro said, "He didn't look happy. I bet it's because he thinks you've been in a fight."
"You may be right. This is not the way governors normally look. I'm sorry I embarrassed you."
"Hnm. Never mind. Just tell me what happened. So you found the shed. I could have taken you there. For a governor, you can be pretty stupid sometimes."
Akitada raised his eyebrows. "Is that any way to address a governor? You weren't available. Where were you anyway?"
"Talking to people," Junichiro said vaguely. "Go on about the shed."
The abalone arrived and proved very good. Between bites, Akitada told him about the soldiers, the arrest, and the dark cell at Sukemichi's compound.
"What? Didn't you tell them who you are?"
"I did. They didn't believe me. That's why I've changed my clothes."
That got a chuckle. "How'd you get away?"
"Sukemichi checked with Lieutenant Matsuura and let me go."
Junichiro looked pleased. "Don't tell me. He fell on his knees and knocked his head against the floor?" "No. I didn't see him. I simply got on my horse and left."
"Incredible!" Junichiro shook his head at it. "How about another order of abalone, since you're paying." "I'm paying."
The waiter returned with another platter of fried abalone. Junichiro fell on them as if he had not just demolished most of the previous order. Akitada watched him fondly for a while,
then said, "When you catch your breath, tell me what you found out."
Junichiro chewed, eyed the platter and shoved it toward Akitada. "Eat," he commanded, then wiped his greasy mouth on his sleeve and began.
"You said to check the brothel about Michiko and her customers. She had only two because she was still in training with the top girl, Precious Butterfly. Murata favors Precious Butterfly. They say Butterfly expects him to buy her out and marry her." He paused. "Any help?"
"Hmm. Perhaps."
"I wish I knew who killed Michiko. I'd make him pay." Overcome by his anger, Junichiro reached for another abalone.
Akitada sighed. "As to Murata," he said, "I wish I knew what he's up to. Why the repeated visits here? What could he possibly be doing? If he's in shipping, he belongs on the coast."
Junichiro finished the abalone and wiped his mouth again. "It could be Precious Butterfly," he said. "He's been seeing her for a long time."
Akitada considered it. "I think I'd like a talk with this Butterfly. Can you arrange it?"
"Easy! You want to go now? In another couple of hours she might be working."
==
It was late afternoon, a dreary, cloudy afternoon by the time Junichiro and Akitada walked up the narrow path that led to a small house set among trees. Junichiro explained that Precious Butterfly had bought the house when she had become popular. Owning her own place meant that she could entertain men privately. Her connection with the Peach Bower was tenuous these days. She lent her name and reputation to the brothel and occasionally received those customers who paid a large enough sum to satisfy both the brothel owner and the courtesan. Junichiro thought that she probably already had enough money to buy herself out, but that she was waiting for a marriage proposal from a rich man like Murata.
The door was opened by a neatly dressed middleaged woman who did not seem surprised to see the odd-looking dwarf in the company of an elegant nobleman. She murmured, "You are welcome, sir. Please come in."