by I. J. Parker
They followed her into a small reception room near the entrance where she invited Akitada to take a seat on one of the cushions. A small tray table held a flask and several cups, and on the wall hung a scroll of flowers and butterflies.
"How may I announce you?" the woman asked with another bow.
"Lord Sugawara," Akitada told her. Juuichiro smirked proudly.
She poured Akitada some wine and left. Junichiro eyed the wine. "You want that?"
"No. Please help yourself. It seems a very respectable sort of place."
Juuichiro emptied the cup and smacked his lips. "Oh, yes. Precious Butterfly is well-born They say she's the younger daughter of some lord in Owari."
"I think they say much the same about most of the leading courtesans. It drives up the price."
Junichiro faked surprise. "You don't mean it?" he gasped, then broke into a trill of laughter that he stifled abruptly when the maid returned.
"Precious Butterfly is honored, my lord. Allow me to show you the way." She glanced at Junichiro. "You may go to the kitchen, Junichiro."
"Hey," Junichiro protested. "I brought him."
She compressed her lips. "I won't forget. We'll talk about it later."
The room she took Akitada to was clearly the best one in the house. It was large and overlooked a small garden. Well furnished, it held several silk cushions, painted scrolls, a painted screen, lacquered trunks, and a lacquered clothes rack draped with exquisite silk robes.
The courtesan who awaited him was elegant rather than beautiful. Site was tall for a woman and unfashionably slender, but her face was softly rounded, her eyes unusually large and liquid, and her clothes were of the best silk in the bright colors of pale yellow, black, and greenish blue. A short jacket of a deeper yellow was richly embroidered with flowers and butterflies.
A Precious Butterfly indeed.
She extended a slender hand toward one of the cushions. "Please," she murmured. "I'm deeply honored that someone of your rank should visit my humble retreat. Allow me to serve you."
She had not asked for money, but it was surely expecled. Junichiro was probably negotiating his share in the kitchen at this moment. Akitada smiled a little and sat down.
"Thank you. It is kind of you to see me when you must be very busy. I'm told you, too, hold an impressive rank."
She sat down gracefully near hin and reached for a pretty painted fan. Raising this, she regarded Akitada over it. She had very pretty eyes. "Not too busy for a special guest," slue rnurnnure(l.
Akitada sighted. He had run out of patience with the customary flirtatious and was not interested in the usual services. He said, "I have come for information."
To her credit, she received this well. Her eyes stopped smiling at him, but she said quite politely, "I live a very retired life these clays. I doubt I can be helpful, but I am at your service."
"Thank you. I have taken an interest in the deaths of two young women here. One murder has been solved, I think, but that still leaves the death of the girl Michiko unaccounted for."
He watched her and saw uncertainty and perhaps fear in those expressive eyes. "That was very sad," she said. "But I know nothing about it."
Clearly she did not want to discuss the murder. Akitada persisted. "I was told that Michiko had started working in the Peach Bower, that you were training her, and that a client took an interest in her just before she died."
The fan trembled slightly. "You think she was murdered by a client?" she asked.
"Perhaps. That's why I'm here. The man may be a ship owner from Owari. His name is Murata. I think you know him?"
She was very still for a long moment. Only the fan continued trembling. Then she said softly, "I knew him."
"You knew him well enough to tell people he would buy you out. You claimed he wanted to marry you, didn't you?"
She let her hand with the fan drop to her lap. Her eyes flashed with sudden anger. She was near tears. "Yes," she said. "It was true. The papers were all drawn up." She turned and reached for some documents on a small desk and handed them to Akitada. "I was telling the truth about the offer. He had the papers drawn up and brought them to me for approval. I accepted, but he did not complete the negotiations. He has not paid the small sum still owed to the Peach Bower." She paused. "It's been very hurtful. We'd been together for almost two years and he claimed he loved me."
Akitada glanced at the document and returned it. It was as she had said. He murmured, "I'm very sorry. Both for having doubted you and for your loss."
She turned her head away and blinked. "Thank you," she said softly.
"Perhaps he will still change his mind." "I don't think so."
"Do you love Murata?"
Without looking at him, she shook her head. "He's very wealthy and I'm very poor," she said simply. Akitada respected her for her honesty and humility, two qualities he had never associated with successful courtesans.
"What do you know about the young woman who was murdered?"
Her eyes flew to his. "I liked Michiko, but I know nothing about what happened to her. She needed to earn some money and may have gone with the wrong client."
"Did Murata ever take an interest in Michiko?" She flushed. "Maybe. He met her here."
Akitada was astonished-not so much that Murata might have pursued Michiko, but rather that Precious Butterfly should admit to it. If it was true, it gave her a motive for the murder. "Could he have left you for Michiko?"
"No. And Michiko wouldn't have accepted. She knew about our relationship." She took up her fan again. "I don't think he left me for another woman. I think it was business and had to do with Lord Sukemichi."
Astonished, Akitada asked, "How do you know that?"
"He knew him and bragged about it. He told me he would introduce me to him. That was when he still courted me. I know he went to see Lord Sukemichi recently."
"When was this?"
She frowned and thought. "I think it was the third day of the month. I haven't seen him since." She hung her head.
Akitada thought back. It must have been just before Michiko took the princess's place. Michiko had been killed on her way home, and the princess had been abducted the following day.
Suddenly Akitada thought he saw what had happened. If either Murata or Sukemichi had found out about the substitution, then it all began to make a kind of sense. He was inclined to believe that Michiko was blameless. She had not revealed the whole truth until she was tortured.
Could Murata have arranged the abduction? Possibly, if he had employed the prowlers.
But he was not the one who would gain from such a shocking act.
Neither did he have a place to hide the princess. Akitada sat lost in his thoughts, and Precious Butterfly made a sudden movement. She was using her fan vigorously. Akitada became aware of the stifling heat in the room and of the courtesan's impatience. Outside there was a clap of thunder.
"I beg your pardon," he said. "I was thinking about what you told me. You must have come to know Mura to well in the years he courted you. What sort of man is he?"
She answered readily enough. "He is demanding, but he was generous to me. He paid for all my gowns, sending the silk dealer to me whenever I asked for a present." She gestured to the clothing rack and its gorgeous and colorful robes and embroidered trains. "I thought he loved me. There was money, too, whenever he came. I thought he came only to see me, but he said he had some business here. When I asked what business he could have in Uji-tachi, he only said it was none of my concern. I kept asking, but he got very angry." She looked at Akitada. "This happened just before he left me. Maybe it was my own fault."
Akitada sighed. "Do you think that Murata may have been involved in some criminal enterprise? It might explain why he got angry about your questions."
"Oh! There was some talk among the girls, but I thought it was just jealousy. Surely not when he was a friend of the high constable."
That fact did not cancel out the other, Akitada thought. He
said, "Thank you. You have given me much to think about and I've taken up a great deal of your time." He reached into his sash for a coin and a piece of writing paper. Wrapping the gold piece carefully in the paper, he laid it before her with a small bow. "I'd like to express my gratitude to your maid."
She bowed in return. "I have enjoyed .your visit, my lord. Please come back." She gave him a warm glance from behind the fan and rose with, him. The scent of sandalwood escaped from her perfumed gown.
Akitada walked outside. A wind had sprung up and angry clouds covered the sky. There was no sign of Junichiro. He leaned against the gate post. A piece of gold had been a generous reward for her answers. She would keep the money, as he had intended, but Junichiro would get a small fee for bringing him here. And on second thought, perhaps it had been a small enough price to pay to have confirmation of his suspicion.
Another matter troubled him. He was low on funds, having spent lavishly on silks for his ladies and clothes for himself. There was also the bill from the Golden Dragon. He could not stay much longer. And when he left, should he take Junichiro home with him?
The dwarf materialized beside him. "Well? Did she know who killed Michiko?"
36 A Killer Confesses
Akitada looked down loudly at the eager face under its unruly crop of red hair and smiled. "Not really, Junichiro, but she has given me some ideas."
"What ideas'"
"Too soon to tell." They walked toward the center of town together. "Would you like to come with me when I leave here'" Akitada asked.
"To Mikawa?" Junichiro clapped his hands. "I've always wanted to pay a visit to another province. And I'd get to ride the ferry, too. Yes, master. I'll come."
"I meant to live with me and my family."
Junichiro stopped. He looked surprised and then angry. "You're joking. Don't joke about a thing like that"
Akitada sighed. "I'm not joking. I've come to be fond of you. I think you would serve me loyally and you would have a home and be looked after."
Junichiro said nothing. He started walking again. His face worked. Finally he muttered, "You would regret it Nobody wants Junichiro around. You saw how they treat me. That bastard Inabe would've liked to beat me to death. He would've hurt me if you hadn't come."
"Nobody will treat you like that in my house. And I will protect you against others."
He shook his head. "They'll mock you. I wouldn't want that to happen."
"Junichiro, I'm the governor. Nobody mocks my friends." This was perhaps an exaggeration but Akitada was finding it hard to make his case.
"Thank you. I'll think about it"
It was not the reaction Akitada had expected and he felt a little hurt, but he nodded. "Good."
"So what did Precious Butterfly tell you about Michiko?"
"She says she liked Michiko, but doesn't know what happened. She thinks she went with a dangerous client"
The dwarf's eyes widened. "I don't believe it" Then he added, "He must've paid her well."
"She needed money."
"What else did you find out?"
"Murata left Precious Butterfly. This was before the princess was abducted."
"Oh!" Junichiro thought this over and clenched his fists. "He got Michiko to tell him about the princess and then he killed her."
"I'm not sure if he killed her, but Murata had some secrets he kept even from Precious Butterfly."
The dwarf nodded. "He's been careful about his business. I couldn't get any information."
"Yes. Precious Butterfly said he got very angry with her when she asked him about it. It means he had a lot to hide."
"What do you want me to do, master?"
Thunder rolled again, and both looked up at the sky.
"I'm going to the police station to see Lieutenant Matsuura. Mrs. Inabe has promised to tell him what she knows about Keiko's departure. Perhaps you could find out who Murata's friends are."
"Friends?"
"Well, someone he shared a meal with or paid a visit to."
"Oh."
They stopped in front of the police station. Junichiro did not look at Akitada. He shuffled his feet, and said shyly, "Thank you for being my friend," then scampered off.
==
Lieutenant Matsuura received Akitada politely. It was hard to tell if this change in manner was due to Akitada's new clothes or to revelations by Mrs. Inabe. Akitada came to the point immediately.
"Has Mrs. Inabe spoken with you?"
"Yes. But please be seated, sir. I regret we parted on less than friendly terms. I suppose I was too sure of myself and felt you were critical." He paused, blushed, then said quickly, "You see, I still have to prove myself or I'll be replaced."
"Never mind. It doesn't matter. Only the governor can ask to have you replaced. I see no reason why he would want to do so."
"Thank you. That's very kind after the way I behaved."
Akitada thought of the monk and hardened his heart. "I assume the monk did not confess?"
"No. Or rather he said he couldn't recall that morning but that he would never do such a thing."
"He was flogged?"
Matsuura sighed. "A little. I stopped it. Didn't see any use in it. He was drunk."
"Precisely. Well then, I would very much like to hear your thoughts on the case. Unless, of course, you consider that meddling in your affairs."
Matsuura was almost crimson by now. "I am sorry, sir. Truly sorry. I'd be grateful to have your advice in the matter."
Akitada seated himself. "Very well. Go ahead." "First off, I appreciate you speaking to Mrs. Inabe. She wouldn't have come in otherwise."
Akitada nodded.
"She was very upset. It was difficult to get her to say what she had on her mind. I must say I was shocked by her story. She claims Inabe, her husband, had-er-been after her daughter soon after marrying her. When she found out, he blamed it on the girl, said she'd been making eyes at him and pressing up against him. The mother was angry at her daughter and sent her away to work elsewhere where she couldn't seduce him." Matsuura paused and looked at Akitada uncertainly. "I was told the mother was a widow when she became infatuated with Inabe and married him. It would explain a lot."
"Yes, most likely. Go on, Matsuura."
"Well, the girl came home to visit her mother. She got lonely for her, she said. A very filial thing to do under the circumstances, in my opinion."
"Yes, indeed."
"But it happened again. The mother caught them together."
Akitada raised his brows. "Together? How do you mean?"
"She heard noises from the daughter's room and looked in and there they were, lying together half naked. She threw her daughter out, and the girl walked away crying after accusing Inabe of trying to rape her."
Akitada nodded. "I had an idea that something like that had happened."
"Well the point of all of this is that she thinks maybe Inabe went after girl, caught up with her, and ... and.. ." He paused, looking embarrassed.
"Raped and killed her?"
"Yes. What do you think, sir?"
Akitada regarded the policeman thoughtfully. "Unless someone saw him kill her, or at least follow her, you'll need more evidence. All you have at the moment is a motive and opportunity."
"Ah, but there is something else. You see Mrs. Inabe found one of her daughter's beads caught inside her husband's sleeve."
"Well, then," Akitada said with a smile. "There is no more to be said. You've solved the case. When are you going to arrest Inabe?"
Matsuura grinned. "Already done, sir. I was about to question him. Would you care to attend?"
"I would indeed."
==
Inabe sat in his cell, chained hand and foot. Matsuura was taking no chances. The man, always somewhat brutish looking, was in a towering rage and practically snarled at them when the constable unlocked the cell.
He recognized Akitada, and looked startled, but his eyes went back to Matsuura.
"This is an outrage!" he s
houted. "It's an insult to a decent citizen and a property owner. I shall file a complaint and have you dismissed for this, Matsuura."
Matsuura said coldly, "You killed your stepdaughter. Your wife, her mother, has laid charges against you." "She lies. How can you believe a demented woman? She was always jealous of me and this is her punishment. I never touched the girl. She did this because I went to a brothel. My wife is old and can no longer please a husband. I have needs. And that's not against the law last time I heard."
"It is when you rape and kill your stepdaughter. There's the matter of your having one of the (lead girl's beads in your clothes. How did that happen if you didn't kill leer?"
"What bead' I didn't have a bead."
"You not only had the bead, you took her jade amulet away with you. Maybe you were going to sell it. Or else you wanted something to remember her by." Matsuura bared his teeth in a cold smile. "You wanted to remember how you raped her brutally in the woods beside the road to Oyodo and how you strangled her to keep her from telling her mother."
"That's a lie. I didn't touch her. I didn't take the amulet. The monk did it. The monk sold the amulet. I tried to get it back."
Akitada interrupted, "Why?"
Inabe's eyes turned to him. They rested on his new clothes. "Who are you anyway? What are you doing here? What business is it of yours what I did?"
Matsuura snapped, "On your knees. Bow to his Excellency. This is Governor Sugawara."
Inabe stared at Akitada. "What governor? He stayed at my place. Called himself Yoshimine From Owari. "That's how he signed the guestbook."
Matsuura glanced at Akitada. He clearly did not quite know how to handle this.
Akitada said calmly, "Yoshihiine is a name I sometimes use when I'm on an investigation. My presence in Ise has nothing to do with Keiko's murder, but your behavior raised my suspicions. I gathered that the ship owner Murata employed you. Just exactly what service did you perform for him?"
To Akitada's satisfaction, Inabe eyes wavered and he began to sweat. Murata had been very careless the day he left the River Palace and paid what he owed Inabe to his wife.