“I’ve done as much as I could. The heavens know what is going on. I certainly don’t.”
∞
After they took their leave of their hosts and started the journey homeward, Akitada’s mood lifted somewhat. He even took some interest in another fair in the next town they passed through. This one was at a fox shrine and honored the kami of rice growing. Here, too, the small Jizos were for sale. Their sight sent shivers down Akitada’s back in spite of the general merry-making.
They reached Kosehira’s villa after sunset, tired and hungry. After a bath, they ate, though neither paid a great deal of attention to the food, and then parted to seek their beds.
Akitada was up early the next day. He dressed quickly and walked into the garden, his heart beating fast in anticipation. But there was no one at the koi pond. He stood for a little while, watching as the fish rose to the surface in hope of food. They shared his disappointment, then sank once more to the bottom and Akitada left.
He had no idea what he would have said to her. He had merely hoped to see her. A fool at forty is a true fool. He shook his head and wished Tora were here and they could practice with their swords.
Later at the tribunal, he tried to distract himself with work. The excursion to the pheasant reserve meant that stacks of documents had piled up at his desk. He worked till midday, then left to see Chief Takechi.
Takechi greeted him eagerly. “Ready for some more noodle soup, sir?”
“I had hoped you’d remember your offer.”
At the noodle restaurant, Takechi asked, “Well? Did you find out anything useful?
Akitada shared the information about Wakiya and Juro.
Takechi said, “I still don’t see a connection. Do you?”
Akitada said, “No, but I’m convinced there is something. If only I could grasp it. I had hoped you would.”
Takechi looked pleased by this. Their soup arrived and they ate for a while in silence. When they had finished, Takechi sat back and smacked is lips. “Good food is a great blessing. I hope I never lose the taste for it.”
Akitada laughed and gestured to the waiter for refills. “I suppose,” he said, “it is something that will still be left to us in old age.”
“That and our memories.”
Akitada knew all about memories, but at that moment, he had again the feeling that he was close to some fact they had overlooked. “All four,” he said “were old and not far apart in age. Perhaps something happened to them in the past., something that involved all of them. We should concentrate on some event in the past.”
Takechi looked doubtful. “What event?”
“I don’t know. Wakiya and Juro could have come to Otsu on a pilgrimage. The headman in Okuni said it was likely. Suppose they met the judge?”
“And the jailer? You think they committed a crime?”
Akitada sighed. “It’s not likely, or they would have known in Okuni.. It must be something else.”
The waiter arrived with more soup and they ate, more slowly this time and thoughtfully. But in the end, the bowls were empty and neither had come up with an answer. Takechi paid and they strolled back to his office, where one of the constables came running to tell them there was an urgent message.
They hurried inside, and Takechi opened a letter from the tribunal. A second letter was inside. It was addressed to Akitada. Takechi scanned his note while Akitada was still unfolding his letter.
“Taira Sukemichi’s been killed,” Takechi said.
Akitada read and nodded. “I must get back to the tribunal. It’s hard to accept. I just saw the man yesterday when we left him. What can have happened?”
∞
Kosehira received him with a similar comment, adding, “We must go back right away. Do you mind?”
“Of course not. What does your message say?”
“It’s from the prefect in Echi. He was sent for by Sukemichi’s family. At least they didn’t take the law into their own hands. Sukemichi was found in his garden, bludgeoned to death.” Kosehira paused. “Nakahara had just left. For some reason, they suspect him, and the prefect wants him brought back. I don’t believe it for a moment. Short, fat, middle-aged Nakahara bludgeoning a strong young man like Sukemichi? It’s ridiculous.”
“I would agree. What about his family or one of the servants?”
“Much more likely. Besides, a robber could’ve got in and, being caught by Sukemichi, decided to kill him. Anyway, you’ll find out who did it. I’ll come along to introduce you to the prefect.”
Akitada did not share such confidence. “That’s a bit high-handed.,” he said with a smile. “I thought you invited me for a rest from my stressful life in the capital.”
Kosehira had the grace to look guilty. “I’m truly sorry, Akitada. I couldn’t know this would happen. Do you mind very much?”
“Not at all, brother. I was teasing you.”
“Well, you’ve already involved yourself in local crime. This is a much more important case.”
Akitada’s smile faded. “They’re all important,” he said soberly.
Kosehira nodded. “Yes, of course. I only meant that this one will create problems if we don’t find the perpetrator. The Taira family is likely to make trouble.”
“I see your point. Well, I’m at your disposal. Should we speak to Nakahara first? He must be back by now?”
∞
Nakahara’s house on the outskirts of Otsu was indeed modest, but it was surrounded by a large garden. They were admitted by an elderly servant who reminded Akitada of Seimei. Nakahara came quickly, looking surprised. “What a pleasure! But you look serious. Is anything amiss?”
Kosehira said bluntly, “Yes. Sukemichi’s been found murdered.”
“Wha—?” Nakahara gulped.
Akitada thought his shock was genuine. “Let’s sit down,” he suggested. “We are going back but wondered if you could tell us anything. You left after us.”
“I know nothing,” gasped Nakahara, gesturing to some cushions. “Nothing at all. He was alive and quite well this morning. I left very early. What could have happened?
They seated themselves. Kosehira asked, “You parted on good terms?”
“What do you mean? Of course we parted on good terms. I thanked him for the entertainment and left with my servant. It was before sunrise. He was still in his bed clothes. We talked on the rear veranda outside his room. It was perfectly amicable.” Nakahara paused. “Surely you cannot suspect me?”
“Apparently the local authorities do. Because you left very early.” Kosehira said.
Nakahara glowered. “Of course I left early. It’s a long trip home. As you should know well enough.”
Akitada decided to smooth over the tension. “I think the governor is merely trying to find out if you were the last person to see Lord Sukemichi alive and under what circumstances.”
“I have no idea. I assume he went back inside to get dressed. You’ll have to ask his servants.” Nakahara was not so easily reassured . “How dare they say such things!”
“Were you aware of any problems Sukemichi might have had? Some family discord? An argument the evening before?”
“Guests generally aren’t involved in family affairs,” Nakahara pointed out.
Akitada thought of his own position in Kosehira’s home. He had become involved. Putting his feelings for Yukiko firmly from his mind, he persisted, “You were a frequent guest, I think. Was there anything out of the ordinary that you recall?”
Nakahara shook his head, then said, “I heard the dogs bark during the night, but that was probably just some animal.”
When they ended their visit, Kosehira tried to apologize, but Nakahara remained very stiff and resentful. “I trust you’ll keep me informed?” he said. “My relationship with Sukemichi was excellent, regardless of what you may think.”
“Ouch,” said Kosehira as they got back on their horses. “I didn’t do myself any good there.”