I. Parker - Island of Exiles

“You look very handsome also,” she murmured, encouraged by his compliment. “Why are you not wearing your uniform tonight?”

Her question reminded Tora of his failed efforts with Wada and he became glum again. “I don’t know what I’ll get into tonight,” he said grimly. “Better not ruin the uniform. Some people have no respect for an honest military man.” Instantly she looked alarmed. “What are you going to do?”

Tora was touched by her concern, but thought it best to sound manly and determined. “I’m going to get that bastard Wada tonight. If I have to, I’ll fight him, his constables, and the local guard to find my master.”

“Oh, no! You’ll get yourself killed,” she moaned, turning quite pale.

“Well,” he snapped, hurt by her lack of confidence, “since you’re in no shape to set the bastard up for me, I’ll have to get him any way I can.”

Little Flower gave a small sob and ran from the room.

Oyoshi said reprovingly, “You shouldn’t tease her so. She’s fallen in love with you.”

Tora stared at her. “She hardly knows me. Why would she do a stupid thing like that?”

“Oh, you men!” Oyoshi refilled his bowl with large chunks of some excellent grilled fish and topped this off with stewed eggplant and mushrooms. “Little Flower has never met a man like you before.” She gave him an appraising look as she passed the food across. “She says you’re as handsome as Genji, as strong and brave as Fudo, and as loving and kind as the goddess Kannon herself.”

“Nonsense.” Tora blushed and turned his attention to his food and to joking with Oyoshi’s children.

Turtle returned, out of breath and with an anxious eye to the leftovers. He announced, “Nobody’s reserved the Golden Phoenix’s cottage tonight or tomorrow night.” He snatched the bowl his sister had filled from her hand and fell to.

“I hope you had the brains to ask if Wada ever comes as a regular customer,” Tora growled.

“Never,” mumbled Turtle through a mouthful of food. “The food’s no good and the charge too high. He eats and drinks in the Crane Grove or at Tomoe’s restaurant.”

“Hmm. We’ll start with them first. You can come along as soon as you’ve stuffed your belly.” He stretched and readjusted the sword under his sash.

Turtle’s eyes widened. He lowered his bowl, his face shocked. “You’re going to make trouble. Somebody’s going to get hurt. I think I’ll stay home.”

Tora gave him a look of disgust. “Nonsense. I may need you.

But you can wait outside for me. Just be there when I come out.” They left soon after. It was almost dark and the wind still blew sharp from the sea, signaling the end of summer. The streets were nearly empty. People had gone home to eat their rice, or to one of the wine shops whose lights winked invitingly up and down the main street of Mano.

When they did not find Wada at either of the establishments Turtle had mentioned, Tora began a systematic search of all the restaurants and low dives, looking grimmer by the minute.

He did not see Wada but had another kind of success. In one crowded wine shop, a burly guest rose when he heard Tora’s question and walked over. “Who wants to know where the lieutenant is?” he demanded in a belligerent tone.

Tora’s hopes lifted marginally. “The name’s Akaishi. Who are you?”

“Ikugoro. Sergeant of constables. So what’s your business with the lieutenant?”

“I have a few questions. Maybe you’ll do.” Tora gestured with his thumb toward a quiet corner.

The other man’s small eyes narrowed even further. “What makes you think I’ll talk to you?”

Tora looked around. He did not want to pay for wine for one of Wada’s thugs, but a brawl would get him nowhere and cause people to get hurt. The three men Ikugoro had been sitting with were watching. Inspiration came to his assistance. He dug his faked dispatch with its official seals from his sash and held it before Ikugoro’s face. The light was bad and he didn’t think the sergeant could read in any case. “I shouldn’t be showing you this,” he said in a low voice, “but since you’re his second in command, I’ll let you in on a little secret. As you see”-he pointed to the first line of writing-“I’m an inspector for the imperial police in the capital. It’s my duty to visit different provinces to check up on our appointees.” Looking around in case someone was listening, he quickly put his document away again.

Ikugoro’s face had fallen almost comically. “B-but what do you want with our lieutenant? Is anything wrong?”

“No, no.” Tora chuckled. “On the contrary. He’s applied for promotion and transfer to the capital and it looks like it’ll be approved. I’m to clear up a few details before they act on it. To tell you the truth, I’m a bit behind schedule already and need to grab the next boat back to the mainland.” Ikugoro’s eyes had grown round. Belatedly he came to attention and tried to salute.

Tora snatched his arm down. “Don’t be a fool. I’m incognito, of course.”

“Oh, sorry, sir. It’s just . . . the surprise. Lieutenant Wada never mentioned to me that he wanted to leave.”

“No. He wouldn’t. It’s one of the rules. He’d be disqualified if he let it get out that he planned to leave. You can see why.” Ikugoro nodded slowly. “Right. All hell would break loose.

But . . .” He frowned. “You say his promotion is pretty certain?

And then he’ll leave here? And someone else will come to take his place?”

Tora could see that such a change and its impact on him troubled the sergeant deeply. He leaned closer. “You’re his number two man,” he whispered. “Most likely you’d be the one.”

Ikugoro’s small eyes widened again. Casting a nervous glance toward his companions, he said, “We’ll talk over there in the corner, sir. I’ll just tell my men it’s private business.” When he returned, Ikugoro ordered the best wine in the house and paid for it. “The lieutenant was supposed to stop by tonight,” he said, “but something must’ve come up.” He winked and touched his crotch.

Tora emptied his cup, smacking his lips. “A ladies’ man, eh?

He’ll be glad to get back to the big city, then. I bet he’s running out of fresh fare by now.”

Ikugoro laughed. “The lieutenant’s got plenty of money. He buys what he wants.” He leaned across to refill Tora’s cup. “So tell me, sir, how likely is it that I’ll get his job?”

“Provided I get my information and his application is approved, it depends on him.”

“It does?”

“Will he speak up for you? You know, praise your brains, hard work, organizational skills, devotion to law enforcement, and honesty?” Ikugoro’s face lengthened. “If he puts in a really good word, it’ll save the government sending a new man all the way from the capital.”

Ikugoro pondered this; then his face lit up. “Hah,” he laughed. “It’s done, then. He’d better write all that if he knows what’s good for him.”

“How do you mean?”

But Ikugoro apparently decided it was wiser not to mention certain details of their relationship that made him sure Wada would oblige. Instead he said, “Suppose my men and I start looking for him and send him to you? Where are you staying?” Thinking quickly, Tora gave the name of an inn they had passed earlier. It was in a quiet part of town. He thought he could lie in wait for Wada and jump him when he came hotfoot to check out the news. He added, “Don’t mention that I told you about his application. Just say an inspector from the capital wants to discuss his reassignment.” They parted on friendly terms, and Tora rejoined Turtle outside. He found him in agitated conversation with his eldest nephew.