I Parker - The Fires of the Gods

She grasped him again, this time with both hands. ‘What do you want?’

‘Information. And I bet he’s just late getting home. Maybe he’s been celebrating with whatever he stole.’

‘No, he always comes home directly. Always. He knows I wait up.’ Her voice got shrill, and a couple of women, passing with their shopping baskets, gave them sharp looks. Hoshina pulled Tora back towards her place. ‘We can’t talk here. If you’ll come with me, I’ll tell you about the fires.’

Tora stopped resisting. He did not trust her, but could not pass up this chance. It would be a fine thing, if Superintendent Kobe could be made to eat his words.

In Hoshina’s wine shop, a couple of men were waiting to be served, but Hoshina snapped, ‘Go away! I’m closed,’ and pushed them out the door, locking up behind them.

‘What about your business?’ Tora asked, astonished.

‘Never mind the business. This is more important. Are you going to find Jirokichi?’

Tora shook his head. ‘If I recall, I asked you where he was hiding last time we talked, and you wouldn’t tell me. If you don’t know where he is, how am I going to look for him?’

She ignored that. ‘You want to know about the fires. He didn’t want to tell you about that because he liked you.’ She snorted. ‘He’s a fool, but I want him back.’

Tora tried to puzzle that out and failed. ‘What about the fires?’

‘Someone’s been setting them.’

‘I know that already.’ Tora made for the door.

‘Wait. Jirokichi’s really frightened about those fires. I think he may have found out something and…’ She wailed, ‘Maybe they killed him because he knows who’s behind it.’

‘Oh, stop crying,’ Tora said. ‘You don’t know that. It could be something else altogether. Where did he go last night?’

She sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. ‘He never says exactly, but he thought there’d be a lot of gold at this place. He needed the gold because of what he gave you.’ She shot him an accusing look. ‘And he got no thanks for it.’

‘I don’t want his damned gold. He’ll get it back. I got angry because he snuck into my house at night and…’ Tora tried to explain and failed. ‘Well… it’s the way he did it. Besides, I can’t take gold for helping some poor bastard who’s getting beaten up by hoodlums. It wouldn’t be right.’

She was astonished. ‘What do you mean, “It’s the way he did it”?’

Tora blushed. ‘He was in my place at night while me and my wife… I mean, anyone would be furious if strangers wandered around their house at any hour of the night.’

She stared at him, then burst into hysterical laughter. ‘You thought he was spying on you and your wife making love?’ she gasped. ‘Wait till he hears! Oh.’ She stopped laughing and put her hand over her mouth. Her face crumpled again.

Tora said, ‘Maybe he got caught and someone decided to teach him a lesson for snooping.’

She wailed, ‘That’s what I’m afraid of. Only, it must’ve been about the fires.’

‘Oh, I didn’t mean anything serious. He could be dragging home with a black eye any moment. Aw, for the gods’ sake, Hoshina. Tell me where he went, and I’ll go take a look.’

She stopped wailing. ‘Some rich man’s house in the Fifth Ward. I don’t know his name.’

‘A merchant? What sort of business?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘He must’ve said something. What about the house? Did he describe it?’

‘No. But he was afraid of rain because steep roofs get slippery then. It didn’t rain last night. Do you think he’s gone and broken his neck?’

‘My guess would be that he’s good at his job, so don’t worry. I’ll see if I can find him. Now, maybe you can tell me something else. I’m looking for a young monk. His name’s Kansei. He may be with the same crowd that got hold of Jirokichi the first time. Did Jirokichi mention a monk?’

She shook her head. ‘What would a monk be doing with those bastards?’

Tora sighed. Maybe Tojiro’s girlfriend would know something. ‘You ever hear of three deaf mutes? Middle-aged and mean-looking?’

She nodded. ‘They’re collectors.’

Tora was pleased. Collectors worked for armed men who sold protection against thieves and robbers to merchants, but such a business was often run by the criminals themselves. The dying Kaneharu had talked of his father paying, but his neighbor had blamed the fire on the old man being a miser.

‘You mean someone’s running a protection racket?’

‘They collect anything owed: rent, loans, and service. It’s a way to make a living.’

‘But they also collect for protection? Who’s behind that?’

‘An ex-soldier and his men. They keep watch over the market and some businesses that had trouble with vandals and thieves.’

‘Would they be setting the fires?’

She shook her head. ‘No. Jirokichi isn’t afraid of them. He’s afraid of someone else. Now please go. Maybe Jirokichi can tell you more when you find him.’

What Tora had learned was interesting, if not very helpful, but he retraced his steps, returning to the eastern city and the Fifth Ward.

Each ward in the more densely populated areas consisted of sixteen blocks arranged in a square and had a gateway on its southern periphery. The Fifth Ward contained mostly the homes of lower-ranking government officials and a few wealthy merchants. The first fire Tora had encountered had been in the adjoining Sixth Ward, a commercial area, but even here, there was fear. He saw a small altar erected and fresh flowers and fruit before it, and a holy man with bells around his neck danced around it, singing songs as people watched.

Stopping at the warden’s office, Tora asked if any trouble had been reported the night before.

The warden was eating his midday rice and was not inclined to be interrupted by someone wearing threadbare clothing. He shook his head and continued chewing.

‘Did you see or hear of any gangs of rowdy boys hanging about?’

Another shake of the head.

‘I know they were busy in the Sixth the other night. They knocked me down as they ran from the fire there.’

The warden frowned, swallowed, and said, ‘You the one tried to save the Kaneharus?’

News clearly traveled between wardens. Tora said, ‘That would be me. My name’s Tora. You keep yourself well informed.’

‘My business,’ said the warden, taking another bite and chewing thoughtfully as he studied Tora.

‘So? About those gangs?’

‘No gangs in my ward.’

‘How can you be so sure?’

‘I’m sure. No gangs here. No trouble.’ The warden was becoming angry at the imputation that he did not keep good order.

Tora sighed. ‘Thanks. Enjoy your meal.’

He wandered about for a while. Most of the houses were substantial, and quite a few had steep roofs. He asked people on the streets if they had heard any fighting or strange noises during the night. Mostly, the answer was no. People slept at night, and their sleeping quarters were in the backs of houses. One maid, who was airing out the family quilts, claimed she had heard screams, but her mistress shouted from the door that the girl was given to nightmares.

Tora left after that, feeling that he had done more than enough for Jirokichi and his troublesome girlfriend. What was he doing anyway, helping a common burglar? Jirokichi would turn up safe and sound, and Tora would give him back his gold.

End of story.

He left by the covered gateway that led out on to Rokujo Avenue, a broad street that passed between the Fifth and Sixth Wards. On the steps of the gateway sat an old beggar on a pile of rags. He held out an empty wooden bowl to Tora. The man was blind, his eyeballs bluish white below thin lids. Tora dropped a couple of coppers in the bowl.