Reiko sat perfectly still, nurturing a hope as thin and fragile as the paper she cradled in her hands. This could be notes on a metsuke job that Left Minister Konoe had been working on just before he died. Lord Ibe and whomever else Konoe had spied on could be connected to his murder. Among them might be his killer-and Sano’s. Reiko allowed herself to believe this, because with the Imperial Palace closed to her and Lady Jokyōden unable to help her further, she had no other leads by which she might solve the case and avenge Sano’s death.
“Have you found what you were looking for?” Jokyōden asked.
“Yes,” Reiko said firmly.
18
Well, Sōsakan-sama, I am most surprised and glad to see you alive,” said Shoshidai Matsudaira. “And Honorable Chamberlain Yanagisawa, it is certainly a privilege to welcome you to Miyako.”
After their confrontation in Yanagisawa’s hideout in the hills, Sano had told the chamberlain how they would make their deal official. While Yanagisawa dressed, Sano had untied the three guards; then the five of them had ridden into Miyako together. Now they were seated in the reception room of the shoshidai’s mansion. Mastsudaira, kneeling on the dais, looked confused by the simultaneous appearance of Sano, whom he’d believed dead, and Yanagisawa, his cousin the shogun’s exalted second-in-command.
“In the confusion of last night’s events at the Imperial Palace, mistakes were made.” Sano spoke from his place below the dais to the shoshidai’s left. “It was actually one of my retainers who died, not myself.” This was the story that Sano had concocted to explain the murder of Aisu. “I shall now do everything possible to resolve any problems created by the erroneous report of my death.”
“Very well.” The shoshidai sounded unconvinced, but as Sano had anticipated, he was too timid to raise questions.
Yanagisawa sat at the shoshidai’s right, with his three bodyguards behind him. Clad in rich silk robes, he looked his usual self, although his complexion still had a sickly gray pallor. “I’ve been traveling through Omi Province on business for the shogun. Since that business is finished, I have decided to lend my assistance to the sōsakan-sama’s investigation into the murders at the Imperial Palace.”
“That is very generous of you.” The shoshidai smiled, obviously deceived by Yanagisawa’s genial manner.
But Sano had perceived the resentful undertone in Yanagisawa’s voice, and knew how humiliating it was for the chamberlain to bow to blackmail. “Yes, his help will constitute a major improvement.” Over his sabotage, Sano thought, glancing at Yanagisawa, who shot him a covert, venomous look.
“My troops, clerks, and other staff are at your service,” said the shoshidai.
“Since I’m traveling with a very small retinue,” Yanagisawa said, “that is much appreciated.”
Sano knew he would have to keep a close watch in case Yanagisawa recruited new henchmen to work against him.
“I wish that Yoriki Hoshina, my senior police commander, were here,” the shoshidai said. “He’s a most capable detective who has been assisting the sōsakan-sama. But Hoshina-san seems to have disappeared.”
“A pity,” said Yanagisawa.
Subtle menace shaded the chamberlain’s voice. Sano hoped he could keep Hoshina hidden long enough to finish the case. However, that would still leave the problem of what to do with Hoshina afterward. He couldn’t protect the yoriki from Yanagisawa’s wrath indefinitely.
“Of course you’ll be needing a place to live while in Miyako,” the shoshidai said to Yanagisawa. “I regret that Nijō Castle is undergoing a major renovation at the moment, but you can stay at Nijō Manor with the sōsakan-sama.”
“The renovation is suspended as of now,” Yanagisawa said, and Sano knew how much he wanted to avoid sharing the same roof. “I’ll move into Nijō Castle at once.”
“Well, all right.” The shoshidai sounded doubtful, but not even the shogun’s cousin dared challenge the most powerful man in Japan.
“We’ll be going now,” Sano said. “We have much work to do, and I must brief the Honorable Chamberlain on the status of the investigation.”
Outside, they mounted their horses in the narrow lane crowded with the strolling dignitaries of Miyako’s administrative district. Low clouds hid the distant hills, but the sun had burned the morning mist from the sky; heat shimmered in the air. Sano felt sweaty, rank, and in dire need of a bath.
Yanagisawa said in a surly voice, “I suppose you found that farce of cooperation and friendly camaraderie amusing.”
“Not so much amusing as necessary.” Sano hoped that making their partnership public would force Yanagisawa to behave honorably, although he had his doubts.
“As for briefing me,” Yanagisawa said, “that’s unnecessary because I already know everything you know. And I’ve told you everything Hoshina withheld from you.”
They’d talked during the ride to town, but Sano didn’t believe Yanagisawa had really made a full disclosure. “I want your metsuke dossiers on the Imperial Court,” Sano said, having guessed that Yanagisawa had plundered the records in Edo before he’d read them. “I also want the material you took from Left Minister Konoe’s office.”
“Fine. I’ll send it to Nijō Manor.” Yanagisawa sat astride his horse, with his bodyguards flanking him. “That’s all I’m willing to do for today. I still feel very unwell, and I need to rest. Farewell until tomorrow.”
The chamberlain and his guards rode away. Sano set off toward Nijō Manor. The first thing he needed to do was to see Reiko. Second, he must assign men to spy on Yanagisawa.
When Reiko rode up to Nijō Manor in her palanquin, Detective Fukida was waiting for her outside the gate. “Where have you been?” he cried.
“I’ve been investigating my husband’s murder,” Reiko said, climbing out of the palanquin. Afire with excitement, she explained how she and Lady Jokyōden had gone to Left Minister Konoe’s secret house in the textile district, then showed Fukida the scrap of notes she’d found in the charcoal brazier. “Look. I’m sure this means the left minister was spying on Lord Ibe, who might be connected to the murders.”
Fukida frowned. “You went to the palace?” he said. “On your own?”
“Yes. Lady Jokyōden told me that Lord Ibe has a house in the cloth dyers’ district where he stays when he visits Miyako. We must go there right now!”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Fukida said. “Perhaps we should wait.”
“For what?” Reiko said, perplexed, then incredulous. “Do you intend to sit idle while your master’s killer goes free?”
Instead of meeting Reiko’s eyes, Fukida gazed around the bright, bustling street. “The sōsakan-sama told me to watch over you. I must obey his orders. I can’t take you to Lord Ibe’s house or anywhere else that might be dangerous.”
“Then go yourself,” Reiko said.
“I can’t leave you.”
“Where is Detective Marume? He could go.”
Fukida looked so miserable that Reiko pitied him, but she was angry at his refusal to help her avenge Sano’s death. “All right,” she said. “If you won’t take me, then I’ll go alone.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that.” Fukida turned to Reiko’s palanquin bearers and guards and said, “You’re not to take her on any more trips without my permission.”
The bearers and guards bowed, chorusing, “Yes, Fukida-san.”
“You can’t do this!” Reiko cried, infuriated.
“Please go inside, Honorable Lady Reiko,” said Fukida.
She glared at him in helpless rage. Tears rushed to her eyes as the grief she’d suppressed all morning resurfaced. Head high, she entered the inn, walked into her room, and shut the door so hard that the frame rattled. Alone, she fought the impulse to lie down and weep. She changed her silk kimono for a simple blue cotton one, and her high-soled shoes for comfortable straw sandals. She strapped a dagger to her arm under her sleeve. Then she peered out the windows and door to look for Fukida. He was nowhere in sight; he’d underestimated her determination. Reiko slipped out of Nijō Manor and began walking.