I. Parker - The Old Men of Omi

Takechi said angrily, “If he did, then to my mind, he had a perfect right to shoot the animal!”

Akitada shook his head. “Apparently the prefect didn’t believe the tale, and Hatta was denied extenuating circumstances. Fumi’s brother rejected the charge adamantly. He claims his brother preferred men and would never have raped a woman.”

“Ah! What a tale! Go on.”

Akitada chuckled. “Sorry. That’s all I have. You’ll have to find out the rest.”

Takechi threw up his hands. “Where do I start? If it’s Hatta’s son who did all this, why did he do it? If his father was guilty, I mean.”

“Yes, that’s the biggest puzzle of all. But I recall in the Sung-Chi , a rather strange Chinese book of famous legal cases, there is a tale of a murderer bribing another man to confess to the crime. I seem to recall he promised the man that he would look after his children by having his son marry the man’s daughter, and by giving his daughter to the son with a very generous dowry.”

Takechi pursed his lips and whistled. “So you suspect Taira Sukenori was the real killer. But if there was a deal, the son should have honored it.”

“Not if Sukenori never paid off.”

“Ah!” Takechi’s eyes lit up. “By the gods, that would explain it all. You’ve done it again, sir.”

“I have no proof,” cautioned Akitada, “but it suggests an investigation into possible legal improprieties. Given Judge Nakano’s murder, you can ask some questions about old cases.”

Takechi grinned widely. “I will,” he said. “Oh, I shall enjoy this.” He clapped his hands in glee.

The clapping brought the waiter. Akitada took the opportunity to pay for their meal.

They walked back together, Akitada mostly silent, but Takechi excitedly reviewing all the facts and proposing ways of proving them.

At police headquarters, they stopped. Akitada said with a smile, “You will let me know, won’t you?”

His departure from Otsu, and more especially from Kosehira, was an embarrassing and painful one. Having returned very late the night before, Akitada slept only fitfully and was up at dawn, getting dressed and packing his clothes into saddle bags. Then he sat around, waiting for sunrise. He wished more than anything to go into the garden, perhaps to catch a final glimpse of her.

When he thought the time right, he ventured to Kosehira’s room. His friend was up, looking serious and drawn.

“Well,” Akitada said with false cheerfulness, “I suppose it’s time to bid you goodbye, my friend.”

Kosehira nodded. “You got everything finished then?”

“Yes. Late last night. There is still the matter of the Jizo killer, but I met with Takechi yesterday and told him everything we knew. He’s a very capable man. He’ll solve the case.”

“I shall miss being your assistant in your murder investigation,” Kosehira said wistfully. “Come and sit for a little and share my morning gruel.”

Feeling guilty again, Akitada sat. He told Kosehira of his visit to the merchant Fumi and his suspicions regarding the old murder case.

Kosehira nodded. “I know that old Chinese tale. I bet Taira Sukenori knew it, too.”

“Even if he didn’t, he could have arrived at some such offer. Their children were the right ages and genders.”

“Yes. I see.”

They fell silent as a servant brought in the food. Neither ate with much appetite.

Akitada put down his bowl first and gave Kosehira a beseeching look. “You have been more than kind, you and your family. I’ll never forget this visit.” There was a greater truth to that than Kosehira would ever realize. “Will you please make my goodbyes to your ladies and the children?” He choked a little, and added quickly, “You are a very lucky man.”

Kosehira looked at him sadly. “Thank you, Akitada. I know it well. It was my hope that you, too … well, it was my intention of taking you out of your sadness. Perhaps I have succeeded a little. But, Akitada, you need a wife. You cannot at your age continue like this. It isn’t fair to your children or to yourself. I hope you’ll forgive me for speaking so frankly. I am your closest friend and have your best interests in mind.”

Akitada glanced away. “I know. I don’t know what to tell you. I’m no longer young. And Tamako is still too much with me.”

“Well,” said Kosehira briskly, “so be it. You’ll take your time, but I insist that you come back here frequently. My tenure as governor will be up in another year and I may be sent to the ends of the earth then. So please come to see me often while we are close, and I’ll stop by your house also when I’m in the capital.”

They both rose. Akitada said, “I will, brother,” and embraced Kosehira.

On the way out, Kosehira said, “I’ll convey your farewells to Yukiko. She’ll miss seeing you before you go.”

Akitada stopped. “I … I had occasion to speak to Lady Yukiko. In the garden. The other morning.” Recalling the impropriety of that meeting, he added, “We met by accident. Briefly.” He knew his face had turned red and hoped Kosehira had not noticed.

Kosehira’s lip twitched. “I see. Well, then.” He took Akitada’s arm and they walked outside. “Have a safe journey.”

Akitada saw that an armed escort of mounted guards waited. He stopped. “Not for me, I hope?”

“Of course they are for you. Really, Akitada, you’re too important a man to travel alone, especially when carrying a report of the type you have prepared for His Majesty.”

Akitada saw the sense of that and expressed his thanks. Mounting the horse they brought for him, he thanked Kosehira again and rode away in great pomp and circumstance.

?

The Sugawara home, slightly shabby and ever in need of repairs, received him, if not with the luxuries he had become accustomed to, at least with the warmth of familiarity and the joyful cries of the children. Akitada passed around some silver to his escort and dismissed them.

Then he dismounted, returned Genba’s happy smile, waved to Tora, and scooped up his children for a hug. They were full of questions and stories, but acquiesced when Tamako’s little maid came to take them away. Tora waited to greet him.

Akitada searched his face and decided that the rest had done him some good. He still looked drawn and tired, but his eyes were less dull and he flashed his usual smile.

“Welcome, sir. We didn’t expect you until the end of the week.”

Yes, that had been the plan before his foolish desire for a lovely young girl had sent him rushing away. “We finished yesterday,” he said in explanation and without mentioning that he had worked long hours to be done so soon. “I’ve missed my family,” he said, hoping to cheer himself up.

“What? His Excellency, the governor, and his lovely daughter haven’t been able to detain you?” Tora teased.

Akitada turned away. “I have work to do here. Where’s Saburo?”

“He’s coming. Twisted an ankle so he’s a bit slow these days.”

Akitada looked and saw Saburo making his way toward him on two crutches. “That looks bad,” he said. “Are you sure it’s just a minor thing?”

“Oh, yes.”

Akitada hastened to meet Saburo to save him some painful steps. “Are you going to be all right, Saburo?” he asked, searching his face. He thought he looked feverish, but with all that facial hair and makeup it was hard to tell.

Saburo grimaced. “Welcome home, sir. Sorry, I twisted my foot. It will make me a tad slower than usual. I’ll be ready to go over the accounts or take down any letters you may want to send.”

“Yes. Actually I do have some business to take care of. Take your time. I’ll have a bath and change first.