I. Parker - The Crane Pavillion

Harada shook his head. “What’s the world coming to? Kanemoto dared buy a house for such a woman next to the Rokujo Palace?”

Kobe sighed. “Thanks to lax policing, the man is quite wealthy. As are a number of other unsavory characters involved in this. This is connected with the case of the blind shampoo girl and the murder of the moneylender. Go on with your report.”

“There was nothing else of interest in the house, though it looked as if they’d left suddenly. There was stuff strewn about everywhere. But we didn’t find anything incriminating until we got outside. There must have been a fight near the back gate to an alley. We found the dirt all scuffed up. And out in the alley we found blood. We followed a trail of blood, and there was one place where a lot of blood had soaked into the ground. I think that’s where Lord Sugawara must have fallen.”

Kobe wondered if Akitada was still alive and if he should send to ask, but decided against it. “Yes. Thank you. I want you to stay here and keep the search for Kanemoto and Phoenix organized. Send for me if there’s an arrest. I have to see Judge Hirokane but should be back in an hour.”

*

The judge lived in a quiet residential street west of the Daidairi . Kobe’s thoughts were on Akitada and on the conspiracy that had brought them all to this point. He was driven by shame and anger that he had been manipulated to allow such a miscarriage of justice.

Judge Hirokane was a part of that conspiracy, and Kobe intended to find out just who was behind it. It would cost him his position and ruin the future of his children, but at least they would know that their father had, in the end, made the right decision.

Even if it was too late to save his friend.

Kobe was admitted by a servant and greeted by a very surprised judge.

“Superintendent Kobe! What gives me the honor?” the middle-aged, heavy-jowled man asked with a puzzled expression. He looked past Kobe for his retinue and found no one. “And all alone?”

Kobe kept his face expressionless. “What we have to discuss is best said in privacy.”

The judge compressed his lips. “I see. Well, do come in. I have very little time. I hear a case in less than an hour, you know.”

“I know. That’s why I’m here. You must postpone the trial.”

The judge’s sparse eyebrows rose. “Impossible, my dear sir. Much as I respect you, the law must take its due course.”

They had entered the judge’s study, a musty, dark place with dusty books and documents piled up here and there. Only the judge’s desk was bare, but it bore the rings and stains familiar from wood surfaces in cheap wine shops. Apparently the desk was mostly used for eating and drinking.

Kobe sat down while the judge rummaged about for wine to offer his guest, and finally shouted for a servant. Kobe said, “Nothing for me, if you please. I’m working.”

“As am I,” said the judge, looking resentful. The servant appeared and was dismissed.

Kobe wasted no time. “The blind woman is innocent. My men are even now on their way to arrest the real killer of the moneylender Nakamura. You must stop the trial.”

Biting his lip, the judge spread his hands apologetically. “I’m afraid you bring me this information too late. I might add that the prompt resolution of this case is of particular interest to a very important person.”

“And who is that?”

“I’m not at liberty to reveal his name.”

Kobe leaned forward and said angrily, “You’re implying that this person is more important than the superintendent of police? That someone is interfering with the proper investigation of crimes in the capital, and doing so over my objections?”

Judge Hirokane looked a little uneasy. “I was under the impression that you had been informed.”

“Informed of what?” Kobe swelled with righteous anger. “I was informed of the time of the trial, and that was by you, and several days ago when the investigation was incomplete. You, my dear sir, are not in a position to overrule me.”

Hirokane looked away. “Well, I thought you had approved. If you were not contacted, it must have been an oversight. I can only say that the matter is out of my hands. And now I had better get ready.” He made a move to rise.

“Sit down,” roared Kobe, “and listen!”

The judge gaped at this rude command in his own house, but he complied.

“If you go ahead with the trial of an innocent woman, I shall attend and I shall make a public protest. If we have the real killer by then, she will be brought before you, and I’ll make certain that everyone in attendance will know that you planned to sentence an innocent woman because you were told to. So neither you nor whoever is behind this will escape the outrage of the people of this city, and you may be sure His Majesty will order an investigation of the affair.”

Having turned rather pale, the judge shook his head and said through clenched teeth, “If I obey you, I’m lost. But I think, if you proceed in this matter, you too will be lost.”

Kobe’s heart sank. He had failed. Getting to his feet, he said, “So be it then,” and left.

He returned to headquarters, hoping to find that Kanemoto and his woman had been arrested, but there was no news. He next walked over to the jail again.

Sachi had been told that she would shortly be taken to the court building for her trial and had made an effort to look decent. Her plain dress she could not change, and it was dirty by now, but she had tidied her hair, braiding it in the back, and she had washed.

When Kobe walked in, she turned her head. “Superintendent? Is that you again? Are you here to take me?”

He was impressed and flattered that she had recognized his footfall-or had she smelled him? “No, Sachi,” he said, his voice gentle, “I’ve come to tell you that I’ve failed to postpone or cancel your trial. You must go. I’m very sorry. But I will be there, and I will speak for you, so you mustn’t be afraid.”

She made him a deep bow, her hands pressed together. “You are a good man,” she said softly. “I didn’t know how good men can be. Thank you. Whatever happens, you must not blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault.”

Kobe disagreed, but he had no time to argue. He muttered, “Thank you,” and left her cell.

His next visit was to the Sugawara house.

Saburo opened the gate. Kobe saw from his face that things were not good. He asked anyway, “Any change?”

Saburo shook his head. “Nothing. I blame myself.”

“Why? You did nothing. You were in jail.”

“It started because I had a fight with my girlfriend,” Saburo said bitterly. “A stupid fight with a stupid woman.”

Kobe was not interested. He said, “Nonsense,” and went into the house.

Tora was still sitting with his master. It looked as if he had not moved since Kobe had been there earlier. Now he got to his feet.

“How is he, Tora?” Kobe asked, bending over Akitada.

“Not good.”

“He looks much better to me. There’s color in his face. He was very white last time I was here.”

“It’s the fever, sir. The doctor said so. And he feels hot.”

“Oh!”

Kobe sat down and looked bleakly at Tora. “We must hope,” he said.

Tora nodded and sat back down. “Any news, sir?”

“Well, my men are combing the city. So far nothing. A man like Kanemoto has many friends who will hide him. I tried to change the judge’s mind, but he refused to be swayed. Someone has threatened him. If it were money, he would have given in. I told Sachi I would be at the trial and do my best for her, so I’ll have to leave in a little while.”

Tora said listlessly, “That was kind of you, sir. The master would have been grateful.”