I Parker - The Convict's sword

“Ah. And how did it get among your papers?”

“I don’t know. I’d never seen it before. I thought maybe it had fallen out of another batch of documents. But then I saw my signature.”

“Could Sakae have put it among your papers?”

Nakatoshi looked embarrassed. “I wondered about that. He doesn’t like me.”

“Yes.” Akitada put his hand on Nakatoshi’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll clear up the matter and have you out of here shortly.”

In the corridor outside, Kobe asked, “This Sakae is the real culprit?”

“Oh, yes. Proving it is another matter. I cannot very well resort to torture.”

Kobe glowered. “I don’t particularly enjoy that part of my work, you know.”

Akitada stopped. He had to try to mend matters between them. “Forgive me. To my deep regret, I always manage to do or say things to offend you. Believe me, I have the greatest respect for you and your work. During this time of crisis, I could do nothing but complain while you’ve saved hundreds, perhaps thousands, from death by riot and starvation. I’m very sorry I’ve offended you.” He touched Kobe’s arm. “I hope you can forgive me and we can be friends again.”

Kobe cleared his throat. He said gruffly. “Yes, of course. I shouldn’t have got so angry. And you’re making too much of me. When there’s a need, we both do what we can, even if it’s thankless. But that reminds me.” He dashed off, leaving Akitada standing in the courtyard, wondering if he had embarrassed Kobe into flight. But the superintendent returned in a moment, carrying a sword.

“You found my sword,” said Akitada, taking the Sugawara blade from Kobe’s hands. “That was very good of you.”

“It belongs to your family.” Kobe looked embarrassed. “I wish I knew what to say about your son. I lost two little ones myself a few years ago. One doesn’t forget, but perhaps there will be more sons for you, and daughters, too. Someone to live for. To save the sword for.”

“Yes,” said Akitada bleakly, and pushed the sword into his sash. “No doubt, you’re right. But for now I’d better see about catching Sakae.”

Tora tied up both horses at the temple gate. The young monk gatekeeper greeted him eagerly; visitors were rare in this small temple. When Tora asked if the temple conducted a school, the young monk brightened even more. “Indeed we do, sir. Perhaps you would like to see for yourself? Our learned Master Genku is instructing the boys in the lecture hall.”

Tora followed his directions to a small wooden building. Its sliding doors had been thrown open on this warm summer day. From within came the sound of young voices chanting in unison. Tora stepped up to the narrow veranda and sat down, instantly attracting the attention of the pupils inside. The elderly monk who presided over the small class ignored the visitor.

Tora easily picked out Haseo’s son. The boy was the only one the right age, and he had a certain bearing. In a way he reminded Tora of Kinjiro. Kinjiro was two years older but was smaller-boned than this boy, and both had the same fierce look in their faces-as if they were engaged in a battle against the world. This boy had tensed under Tora’s scrutiny. When Tora tried a reassuring smile and nod, the youngster scrambled to his feet in a panic.

“Sit down, Nobunari,” the schoolmaster called out sharply.

Tora stood up and bowed. “Forgive the interruption, Master Genku. My name is Tora. I have a message for Master Nobunari about his mother.”

The boy still stood, eyeing him nervously.

Genku said irritably, “Why do you interrupt the lesson? And why do you call Nobunari ‘master’?”

“Because,” said Tora, “he’s the oldest son of Tomonari Haseo.”

The boy made a decision. “I’m Nobunari. What is the message?”

“Ah,” said Tora, making the boy a bow, “I was right. The message is from my master, Lord Sugawara, senior secretary in the Ministry of Justice.”

The boy frowned. “About my mother?”

Tora cleared his throat and looked at the other boys who had been following the conversation with avid interest.

The monk rose with a sigh. “Perhaps we had better go elsewhere.” He set the class an exercise, and led Tora and Nobunari to an adjoining room.

“Now, young man,” he said sternly to Tora, “what’s all this? It had better be important.”

“It is.” Tora turned to the boy. “I’ve come for you and your sister. My master offers you his protection. You’ll be safe with him.”

Nobunari bit his lip. “Is anything wrong with Mother?”

Tora had worried over this part all the way here. Now that the moment had come, he did not know what to say. So he did not say anything and watched helplessly as the color slowly drained from the boy’s face.

“What happened?” the boy whispered. “I suppose she’s dead. That’s what you came to tell me. I want to know what happened.” He choked on the words, but his voice was fierce even as tears began to fill his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” said Tora. “I just didn’t know how to tell you. Someone killed your mother two weeks ago.”

The monk muttered, “Amida!”

The boy clenched his fists. “Who?”

“I don’t know. I found her. She’d been stabbed. At first the police thought I’d done it.”

The boy stared at Tora. “Mother told me about you. She called you a friend. Besides, you don’t look like one of them.”

Tora asked quickly, “She told you who was after her?”

But Nobunari frowned and became distant. “This Lord Sugawara. Why is he sending for us?”

“That’s another story. You see, we met your father. In Sadoshima.”

Nobunari jumped up, his face shining with excitement. “My father is alive? When did you see him? My sister and I shall go to him right away.”

Tora gulped. He was not doing this very well. “I’m afraid you can’t. You see, your father died also. I guess you’re his heir now. We didn’t know how to find you. I’m sorry we were too late to help your mother.”

Nobunari sank back down. He looked grim. “My father did not murder my grandparents, but they sent him into exile and he died. And my mother got sick and went blind. She had to work like a beggar for our food, and now she’s dead, too. What good is life?”

Master Genku said piously, “We must obey the will of Heaven.”

The boy glared at him. “Why?”

“We must find the Way during our lifetime. If we find it, we go to an abode of happiness after death. If not, our souls suffer eternal misfortune.”

Nobunari’s anger flared, “My father died for another man’s evil, and my mother died because she had to support us. To pay for my lessons. You took her money, though you taught me nothing. Did my parents follow the Way? Or are you following it? What is the Way, Master?”

The old monk started to bluster. Tora interrupted, “It’s time Lord Tomonari and I left.” He gestured to the boy to precede him. The youngster stalked away, his back rigid with anger and grief.

When they reached the gate, Nobunari saw the spare horse and his fury abated a little. He swung himself in the saddle and set off down the road. When Tora caught up, the boy asked, “Were you serious about that ‘Lord Tomonari’ business?”

“Yes.”

“Who killed my grandparents?”

“His name is Sangoro, but he goes by Matsue now. He’s in jail.”

The boy gave him a look. “Why did he do it?”

“He says he’s your grandfather’s son and that your grandparents insulted his mother. Your father was blamed because Matsue’s mother lied to the judge to protect him.”

The boy was silent for a long time. Then he said, “I see. Maybe I would’ve done the same thing in his place. I used to want to kill him for what he did to all of us, but it’s better this way. I shall kill my mother’s murderer instead.”