The urgency of the blind woman’s situation made her case his priority.
Kobe did not accompany him to the jail. Instead, he sent a young police recruit with him. They would from now on keep a distance from each other.
Tora and Saburo were in separate cells, a fact that made speaking to them awkward. Akitada asked to see Saburo first.
Saburo prostrated himself and started a long string of abject apologies for having disobeyed. Akitada cut these short.
“Never mind,” he said bluntly. “That can wait until later. Tell me how you came to be arrested.”
Saburo explained and told what he had overheard while under Kanemoto’s house.
“So there is a witness to the gambler’s murder,” said Akitada. “This woman. The man’s lover. Who is she?”
“I don’t know, but it was clear he doted on her. I think she works in the quarter. She asked him for a house of her own, away from the quarter, so they could meet there without interruptions from Kanemoto’s unsavory gang.”
“Good. That helps. We’ll find her. Now what about the blind woman?”
Saburo hung his head. “They’ll try Sachi tomorrow, sir. By then it will be too late. It was all for nothing.”
“It isn’t over yet. Did you find out who killed the moneylender?”
Saburo shook his head miserably. “No.”
“Any suspects?”
“Well, we suspected the moneylenders. Nakamura’s son and his brother Saito. They had the most to gain. But they weren’t at the bathhouse. Then we tried to find out if any of the more desperate debtors might have done it. That’s how I came across the poor schoolmaster.” Saburo gave Akitada a glance and sighed. “I didn’t have much taste for pinning it on any other poor soul after that, but two names cropped up as having been in the bathhouse that morning, two men called Matsuoka and Ozaki.”
Akitada frowned. “You mustn’t let your pity blind you to the fact that people will kill out of desperation.”
“I know, but by then Saito had received the threat from Kanemoto, warning him and his nephew to leave things alone. Nakamura’s son was afraid and didn’t want us to know but his uncle showed us the letter. That’s how we got involved with Kanemoto.”
Akitada had listened with growing astonishment and some respect. “I see,” he said noncommittally. “Well, you have certainly provided some groundwork for me.”
Saburo raised his head. “You mean you’ll look into it yourself, sir?”
“Don’t get up your hopes. I think there is someone at work who wants to make sure the blind woman is found guilty. And that person is also behind your arrests.”
“I thought there was something strange about the way the constables arrived so quickly. But what can you do, sir?”
“I’ll have a closer look at this Kanemoto and his mistress. It will be easier for me. The trouble is we must find the killer without involving Kobe. Otherwise, it would be very simple indeed. Be patient. I’ll go have a word with Tora now.”
Tora was very angry. Akitada found him pacing in his cell, chains rattling with every step and turn. When he saw Akitada, he stopped.
“Sorry, sir,” he said, teeth clenched. “Someone set us up.”
“I know. Unfortunately we cannot do anything about it. Superintendent Kobe must not become involved.”
Tora glowered. “You mean he’s letting this happen? He won’t do anything about it? We’re to rot here in prison? Then he’s not the man I thought he was!” He started pacing again, muttering under his breath.
Akitada sighed. It was his fault, too. “Please stop that. It’s making me dizzy, and there’s not much time,” he said as calmly as he could.
Tora stopped and went to lean against a wall. “Sorry. I wouldn’t have had you troubled if I could’ve helped it.”
“I know. The only way to get you out is to find the killer before the trial tomorrow. I’ve talked to Saburo. He gave me the story and named some suspects.” Akitada told Tora what Saburo had said, then asked, “Do you have anything to add to it?”
Tora shook his head. “It’s always been Saburo’s case. I came into it too late to do much good. I wish they’d at least let me go. I could help. All they have on me is that I was helping Saburo from under the house. I don’t know why no one is looking for Kanemoto. Surely they ought to talk to him since the body was found under his house.”
“It seems he has given a statement that he wasn’t home when all this happened and knows nothing about it.”
“That’s a lie.” Tora started pacing again.
Akitada said nothing.
After a moment, Tora stopped, his handsome face worried. “You’ll be careful, sir? He’s a gangster. They’ll will kill you if you get too close.”
“I’m aware of it. Well, if there’s nothing else …” He crossed the space between them and embraced Tora.
Tora flung his arms around him tightly. “Thank you, sir,” he said in a muffled voice.
Akitada left quickly.
24
The Search
Looking grim and feeling tired, Akitada returned home to change out of his good robe and wash his hands and face. After his ablutions, he felt marginally better. Sending for Genba, he told him about Saburo and Tora.
Genba was stunned. “And the superintendent won’t let them go?” he asked in a tone of disbelief. “They haven’t really done anything, have they?”
“No. Someone is putting pressure on Kobe to keep him from interfering in the blind woman’s conviction. I’m going to find out what is going on.”
Genba wrinkled his broad brow. “The weather’s turning. Do you want me to come?”
“No, Genba. You’re the only one left. You must keep an eye on the others.” The thought crossed his mind that his family had been attacked before, and that Genba would not be able to stop armed soldiers. But this time, he did not think he was dealing with warlords. No, this was a different type of enemy. “Is Hanae around?”
“Yes, sir. Shall I tell her about Tora?”
“No. Send her to me. I have something to ask her.”
Hanae arrived, having been told by Genba what had happened to her husband. She bowed deeply, then asked, “You have seen him, sir?”
“Yes, Hanae. He is well but very angry.”
She smiled. “That’s my Tora,” she said softly. “Genba says you have a question for me?”
“Yes. Do you remember the man who gave you dancing lessons years ago?”
“Ohiya!” She chuckled. “It seems like an age ago. You met him, sir.”
“Yes. He was helpful to us when we tried to find out what had happened to you. Is he still around?”
Her face fell. “I heard he has fallen on hard times, sir. He’s moved away from the quarter. I don’t know where he lives now.”
“Ah. Well someone will know. Thank you, Hanae.” He looked at her dainty, neat figure and thought how lucky Tora was to have found such a wife. In fact, they were all lucky. He said, “Hanae, I have never thanked you for writing to me about my wife’s death. And I haven’t thanked you for being with her and for looking after my children.” He choked up a little, thinking about it.
Hanae said quickly, “I was glad to be here, sir. We are like family. I loved my lady, and she’s loved all of us. She would have done the same for me.”
Akitada’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. I shall never forget it.” He blinked once or twice, then said quickly, “Well, I’d better be on my way and see what can be done to restore your husband to you.”
*
He walked to the willow quarter in heavy wind gusts. The sky was clouding over quickly and it was getting cold again. He had been to the “floating world” of courtesans and prostitutes before, but that was years ago now. He expected changes, but all seemed the same. The business of pleasure still thrived in the capital.