“No nun?” Tora looked interested. “You mean she was an ordinary girl in nun’s clothes? Was she pretty?”
“Not an ordinary girl. A noblewoman, I think, and quite pretty. And wearing perfume. I was so preoccupied with the brute who slammed me against the wall and very nearly blinded me that I forgot the silk she wore under the nun’s habit. And her veil had slipped. I think her hair was long.”
Tora whistled. “What luck! Silk underclothes. Brother, how I wish I’d been there!”
Akitada regretted his words and said sharply, “Really, Tora. The point is she came to your hearing in disguise. That means she’s respectable, belongs to the upper classes, and certainly undertook that errand without the approval of her family and, as it turned out, at considerable risk. Why would a young woman of that class take such a chance?”
“Well, it wasn’t for my sake, so it figures it was for Tomoe. Bet you she’s one of the ladies Tomoe used to sing to.”
“Perhaps, but she wouldn’t take such chances just because she felt sorry for a blind entertainer. No, I think she knows something of Tomoe’s past, or she’s involved in the same dangerous game which cost Tomoe her life.”
Tora thought. “She’d hardly be working with a gang. If she knows the killer, he wasn’t a thug. Maybe we’re looking in the wrong place.”
Akitada sighed. “We must find her. Whatever she knows is both secret and dangerous. As soon as I can get away from the office I’ll go back and talk to the neighbors again. This time I’ll ask about a young woman who is probably married and part of a family in that quarter. Meanwhile, you’d better see Ihara and then go into the city. Good luck!”
Tora spent the best part of the morning looking for Lieutenant Ihara. Tora’s poor clothes were no help in getting information from the constables. Finally, one of them sent him to the Eastern Prison. When Tora got there, a guard recognized him and, unaware that Tora had been released, thought he was escaping and tried to throw him back into a cell. The confusion was finally cleared up, but not until Tora had gathered more bruises. Ihara was not there and was not expected.
In an increasingly rebellious mood Tora retraced his steps.
This time he took up his stand in the courtyard of police headquarters and asked every red-coat passing by for Ihara. They ignored him until a burly sergeant came to investigate. “If they told you he’s not here, that’s where he is,” said the sergeant with confusing logic. “We’re too busy to talk to every lout who walks in here with questions. Go away or I’ll have you thrown out.”
Perhaps he would have been treated better if he had worn his neat blue robe and black cap, but that had proved a distinct disadvantage when dealing with the criminal classes. Tora retreated to the gate and fumed helplessly, until he saw Kobe arriving. The red-coats stood to attention, and Tora blocked his way.
“Sir,” he cried, bowing to the superintendent. “I wonder if you might help me.”
A collective gasp went around the constables. Two of them jumped forward, shouting, “Your pardon, Honorable Superintendent,” and grabbed Tora to drag him away.
Tora shook them off. “You see,” he said to Kobe, “all of these bas-er, constables-claim they don’t know where Lieutenant Ihara is, which is surely a strange thing in a well-run police department. I wouldn’t trouble you, but my master insisted. They’ve already sent me clear across town to the Eastern Prison. When I got there, no Ihara, but the guards tried to lock me up again. And just now the sergeant told me to get lost.”
Eight or ten grim-faced policemen with metal prongs and chains moved in on Tora. They waited for the order to seize the troublemaker and teach him some manners.
But instead Kobe put a hand on Tora’s shoulder in the friendliest manner and said, “Well, let’s see what I can do for you, Tora.” The policemen looked at each other and retreated a few steps. They hid their weapons and pretended to form a sort of honor guard through which the two men passed.
In the courtyard, the plump sergeant hurried toward them. Kobe said loudly, “I’m surprised that you had difficulties. Most of our men are well-trained. They know that I expect them to treat everybody with courtesy and to show eagerness when assisting the public.”
The sergeant stopped. Tora saw his sheepish face and grinned. “That’s good to know, sir. If I need a job, I might want to give your sort of work a try. I’ve got a certain talent for it, and you could use able people. Seeing as there are so many bandits loose in the city.”
Inside the building, Kobe sent for Lieutenant Ihara and then invited Tora to sit down and explain his talents to him.
Tora looked around Kobe’s large and well-appointed office, noting with approval that a constable appeared quickly with hot wine, and that another policeman asked if he should take notes. His master’s imminent loss of employment had quite determined him to find a job, and police work might be the very thing. He enjoyed investigating crimes, and heaven knew, Kobe must be desperate to replace the dolts outside. That brilliant red uniform was nothing to sneeze at either. Girls liked that sort of thing.
So he took a deep breath and began with his strong physique, moved on to his military service, glossing over the fact that he had been summarily cashiered for insulting his superior, and outlined with great satisfaction his adventures during his service to Akitada. Tora was not given to modesty, though he stopped short of outright lies.
When he was done, a straight-faced Kobe said, “You are a most amazing person, Tora. I don’t think we have a position worthy of your talents.”
Tora waved the objection away. “Never mind. I’ll be glad to make myself available as a consultant or advisor whenever you have a tricky killer or a case your people can’t solve. I expect there are many such, enough to keep me busy. But at the moment I have Tomoe’s murder to solve. Maybe we’ll talk again some other time?”
Kobe choked and was still coughing when Lieutenant Ihara entered and saluted. Tora and Ihara exchanged slight nods.
“Tora was looking for you,” Kobe informed the lieutenant. “He plans to begin his investigation into the blind singer’s murder today and thought you might share your findings with him.”
Ihara’s jaw dropped. For a moment, he looked both shocked and disgusted. Then his face congealed. “I was under the impression, sir,” he said stiffly, “that this man is a suspect in the case and under house arrest.”
“Tora was placed in the custody of Lord Sugawara until the investigation is complete. There’s a difference. In fact, it was Lord Sugawara who sent Tora to you.”
“But, sir, the training manual, Instructions to Officers of the Metropolitan Police, states specifically that details of an ongoing investigation must not be shared with the public, let alone the accused.”
Kobe’s fingers gently tapped the desk. “Judge Masakane instructed Lord Sugawara to assist in this investigation. That changes the situation, because the Instructions also remind you to follow legal procedures as outlined by a proper judge. Lord Sugawara is busy at his ministry during the absence of his superior and has delegated a part of the work to Tora. Tora assures me that he has experience in criminal investigations and is eager to assist. Now, do you have any other objections, or can I get on with more pressing business?”
Ihara blanched. “None, sir.” He bowed, then nodded to Tora and headed out the door.
Tora looked after him and made a face. “Thanks for your confidence in me, sir. I wasn’t really looking forward to this even before the lieutenant expressed his feelings, but my master asked me to do it, so I suppose I’d better.” He got to his feet and bowed.
Kobe smiled. “Good man!”
Ihara was waiting outside. “Follow me,” he snapped.
They passed through the main hall and out into the courtyard. Constables saluted Ihara and stared at Tora. Ihara entered a low barracks and took Tora to a tiny office which contained little more than a battered bamboo shelf stacked with papers, and a small, stained writing desk with brushes and a worn inkstone.