Genshin was studying him. “I heard something about you from time to time,” he said. “You are still in the Ministry of Justice, I think?”
Akitada was not, but he nodded rather than giving explanations.
“And your efforts at finding out evil and arresting evil-doers have, I think, brought you considerable distinction over the years,” Genshin went on. It was said teasingly, implying that such activities were trivial amusements.
Akitada did not take the bait, if that was what it had been. It must be an uncomfortable subject for the abbot, who had been involved in one of Akitada’s earliest investigations and had trusted him to keep a secret that would most certainly disqualify him from his present position.
“I’m still engaged in the same line of work,” he said stiffly.
Genshin smiled. “Ah, you came with an ulterior motive then. No, no, don’t apologize. I’m very grateful that your work has finally brought you to me, Akitada. I have often thought of you, and always with great fondness.”
The same was not true for Akitada, who had rarely ever thought of Tasuku, and when he did, it had been with distaste. But this was not the time to rake up the past. Suddenly aware of an oversight that must have struck the other man as very rude, he asked, “How are you these days?”
“Well enough, as you see.” Genshin’s manner had become cooler; perhaps he had finally sensed Akitada’s dislike.
It did not matter. Akitada said, “The fact is that I do have a particular reason for my visit.” He hoped to get the interview over with as quickly as possible. “There has been a death in your former home in the city. I assume you are aware of it?”
Genshin’s gaze did not waver. “Yes, of course. Regrettably, one of my tenants has chosen the path into the darkness rather than the Way to salvation. I was saddened to hear it.”
Akitada said curtly, “She was murdered.”
Genshin’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Perhaps you’ll consider it good news, in that the lady did not take her own life. I assume the Way is still open to her?”
Genshin compressed his lips. “Don’t sneer at such matters, Akitada. You have changed. You used to be kind and gentle when I knew you. Now you are hard and cruel. If this is what a life spent dealing with human violence does to a man, I regret it very much. As to your question, yes, if she did not take her own life, Lady Ogata may be well on her way to salvation by now. She was a good person and a devout believer. But I am sorry to think you have taken a false way, and that it has deprived you of the joy you once found in your life.”
Akitada flushed. It was true that his life had become joyless. And there had been other joyless periods before as well, but these had been caused by other losses. Every time, a man lost something he loved, he became diminished, and his life became more of a burden. But this was not the time to discuss such matters. He bit his lip and said, “You don’t seem at all curious about her murder. I’m interested in what you can tell me about the lady. You allowed her to live on your property, so I assume you were close?”
Genshin chuckled softly. “I see you don’t believe I could change. In your eyes, I shall always be the frivolous seducer of women. Even in your youth, you disapproved strongly of my life, though you did not precisely say so then. I recall out final meeting. Perhaps I should have realized then how very disappointed and angry you were with me, but I was rather upset myself at the time. Never mind. I see we must speak more bluntly now. I was not Lady Ogata’s lover. Neither recently, nor before I took my vows. I have not touched a woman since then.” He made a face. “The sacred scriptures teach us that women are dirty and unworthy of salvation because of their inferior condition. Women seduce us to satisfy their own desires for pleasure, pleasure that is both physical and mental. They glory in their power over us, and in our weakness we stray from the path to salvation.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence with such nonsense,” snapped Akitada. “I lost my wife this past spring. She was the purest creature I ever knew, the kindest and most supportive of wives, the most generous and forbearing companion. She is the one who gave me strength. You know nothing about women in spite of your wild past.”
Genshin raised his brows. “I did not know of your loss. I’m very sorry, Akitada.”
“Spare me the condolences. I’m anxious to be on my way. Just tell me what you know about Lady Ogata and why you decided to offer her shelter and support.”
The abbot looked at Akitada reproachfully and said nothing.
“Can you live with your conscience, letting a killer go free?”
“I rather doubt this will happen,” Genshin said, making a face. “You are not the man to let a murder rest. But I will not betray a confidence. You used to respect such things long ago.”
Akitada got up. “Don’t remind me! You, too, have changed, Tasuku,” he said harshly. “You used to be merely a selfish courtier, taking your pleasure wherever you pleased. But I see you’ve become something altogether more despicable.”
Genshin turned his head slightly, and Akitada saw that the door to the interior was slightly open, and a number of avidly listening monks and young boys were peering at them. They looked aghast. No doubt they had never heard their holy abbot spoken to in this manner. He knew he should apologize and leave as quickly as possible.
Genshin said quite calmly to his listeners, “Close the door and go away, please. There is no need for concern.” To Akitada he said, “Sit down again, Akitada. I regret that you think so poorly of me. I will tell you what I may without betraying the confidence.”
Akitada said nothing but sat down again.
“One of the men who worship here came one day and told me of the shocking condition of a young woman of high birth. Having made a foolish marriage, she found herself abandoned by her family and her husband. She lived in a small shack beside the Kamo River where kind people would sometimes leave her some food. Greatly shocked by the story, I went to see for myself, and found this to be true. She gave her name as Lady Ogata and accepted refuge in my house in the city and a small stipend from the temple. It is barely enough for her food and certainly not what a rich man would spend on his mistress.” Genshin gave Akitada another reproachful look. “I could do no more without setting tongues wagging-clearly a forlorn hope, given your visit. You may think what you wish, but over the years I have given refuge to others like her, and they promised to look after her. I never saw her again after that day.”
Akitada thought this over. “You say she was of high birth. Who was she? Why was she abandoned?”
Genshin shook his head. “That I will not tell you. When I was told she had committed suicide, I believed it. She had lived a short and very sad life. But she did not seem desperate to me when I talked to her beside the Kamo River. Rather there was a strange joy about her. I took it to be of a spiritual nature. She said she was a devout believer in the Way.” He paused. “And now I must see to my duties. I wish you well, Akitada. I wish you the serenity of Lady Ogata.”
Akitada made his return journey in such a temper that he no longer saw the beauty of the mountains around him, or the vast view of the capital, spread before him in the golden haze of the evening sun.
23
It was nearly dark by the time he entered the capital. As soon as he reached First Avenue, he headed east, turned down one of the smaller streets and arrived at his sister’s home.
His brother-in-law, Toshikage, held a modest rank similar to his own, but unlike Akitada he had inherited vast provincial estates so that his income was only affected by an occasional poor harvest. The ready supply of funds allowed him to settle for posts that did not strain his energy while allowing his wife to enjoy the company of the highest-ranking ladies in the nation.