“That and our memories.”

Akitada knew all about memories, but at that moment, he had again the feeling that he was close to some fact they had overlooked. “All four,” he said “were old and not far apart in age. Perhaps something happened to them in the past., something that involved all of them. We should concentrate on some event in the past.”

Takechi looked doubtful. “What event?”

“I don’t know. Wakiya and Juro could have come to Otsu on a pilgrimage. The headman in Okuni said it was likely. Suppose they met the judge?”

“And the jailer? You think they committed a crime?”

Akitada sighed. “It’s not likely, or they would have known in Okuni.. It must be something else.”

The waiter arrived with more soup and they ate, more slowly this time and thoughtfully. But in the end, the bowls were empty and neither had come up with an answer. Takechi paid and they strolled back to his office, where one of the constables came running to tell them there was an urgent message.

They hurried inside, and Takechi opened a letter from the tribunal. A second letter was inside. It was addressed to Akitada. Takechi scanned his note while Akitada was still unfolding his letter.

“Taira Sukemichi’s been killed,” Takechi said.

Akitada read and nodded. “I must get back to the tribunal. It’s hard to accept. I just saw the man yesterday when we left him. What can have happened?”

∞

Kosehira received him with a similar comment, adding, “We must go back right away. Do you mind?”

“Of course not. What does your message say?”

“It’s from the prefect in Echi. He was sent for by Sukemichi’s family. At least they didn’t take the law into their own hands. Sukemichi was found in his garden, bludgeoned to death.” Kosehira paused. “Nakahara had just left. For some reason, they suspect him, and the prefect wants him brought back. I don’t believe it for a moment. Short, fat, middle-aged Nakahara bludgeoning a strong young man like Sukemichi? It’s ridiculous.”

“I would agree. What about his family or one of the servants?”

“Much more likely. Besides, a robber could’ve got in and, being caught by Sukemichi, decided to kill him. Anyway, you’ll find out who did it. I’ll come along to introduce you to the prefect.”

Akitada did not share such confidence. “That’s a bit high-handed.,” he said with a smile. “I thought you invited me for a rest from my stressful life in the capital.”

Kosehira had the grace to look guilty. “I’m truly sorry, Akitada. I couldn’t know this would happen. Do you mind very much?”

“Not at all, brother. I was teasing you.”

“Well, you’ve already involved yourself in local crime. This is a much more important case.”

Akitada’s smile faded. “They’re all important,” he said soberly.

Kosehira nodded. “Yes, of course. I only meant that this one will create problems if we don’t find the perpetrator. The Taira family is likely to make trouble.”

“I see your point. Well, I’m at your disposal. Should we speak to Nakahara first? He must be back by now?”

∞

Nakahara’s house on the outskirts of Otsu was indeed modest, but it was surrounded by a large garden. They were admitted by an elderly servant who reminded Akitada of Seimei. Nakahara came quickly, looking surprised. “What a pleasure! But you look serious. Is anything amiss?”

Kosehira said bluntly, “Yes. Sukemichi’s been found murdered.”

“Wha—?” Nakahara gulped.

Akitada thought his shock was genuine. “Let’s sit down,” he suggested. “We are going back but wondered if you could tell us anything. You left after us.”

“I know nothing,” gasped Nakahara, gesturing to some cushions. “Nothing at all. He was alive and quite well this morning. I left very early. What could have happened?

They seated themselves. Kosehira asked, “You parted on good terms?”

“What do you mean? Of course we parted on good terms. I thanked him for the entertainment and left with my servant. It was before sunrise. He was still in his bed clothes. We talked on the rear veranda outside his room. It was perfectly amicable.” Nakahara paused. “Surely you cannot suspect me?”

“Apparently the local authorities do. Because you left very early.” Kosehira said.

Nakahara glowered. “Of course I left early. It’s a long trip home. As you should know well enough.”

Akitada decided to smooth over the tension. “I think the governor is merely trying to find out if you were the last person to see Lord Sukemichi alive and under what circumstances.”

“I have no idea. I assume he went back inside to get dressed. You’ll have to ask his servants.” Nakahara was not so easily reassured . “How dare they say such things!”

“Were you aware of any problems Sukemichi might have had? Some family discord? An argument the evening before?”

“Guests generally aren’t involved in family affairs,” Nakahara pointed out.

Akitada thought of his own position in Kosehira’s home. He had become involved. Putting his feelings for Yukiko firmly from his mind, he persisted, “You were a frequent guest, I think. Was there anything out of the ordinary that you recall?”

Nakahara shook his head, then said, “I heard the dogs bark during the night, but that was probably just some animal.”

When they ended their visit, Kosehira tried to apologize, but Nakahara remained very stiff and resentful. “I trust you’ll keep me informed?” he said. “My relationship with Sukemichi was excellent, regardless of what you may think.”

“Ouch,” said Kosehira as they got back on their horses. “I didn’t do myself any good there.”

Akitada said, “He’ll calm down,” but thought privately that Kosehira was probably not going to be much help questioning Sukemichi’s family.

After another hard ride, they reached the Taira manor and found the local prefect, a middle-aged man called Ishimoda, already in charge. Ishimoda, who had been appointed by Kosehira, came to greet them and did his best to provide information to his superior.

This got a little tedious since Ishimoda made it a point to put himself forward as a brilliant investigator.

“Having been notified of the death,” he said, “I immediately dropped everything to rush over here, knowing that a man of Lord Taira’s importance—what a great loss to the nation!—deserved the best we had to offer. Alas, picture my shock and sadness when I was led to his body—such a handsome man at the height of his powers—and saw the bloody end some vicious criminals had brought him to.” He paused briefly to dab at his eyes with a tissue.

Akitada took the opportunity to ask, “Where was the body?”

“Oh. Didn’t I say. I’m still distraught. My apologies.”

“Just answer,” Kosehira said wearily.

“Ah, yes. He was in the garden. A beautiful garden, very fitting.”

“Fitting in what way?” asked Akitada.

The prefect looked blank. “Why, because of his fine taste, of course.”

“Do we know why he was in the garden? Did he have a particular purpose for being there?”

“Oh. Of course, as it was quite beautiful …” Seeing both Akitada and Kosehira glaring at him, he fell silent.

Akitada suppressed a sigh. “We are trying to find out if he met someone there.”

“Oh. I see. Well, he was still in his bed clothes, so I wouldn’t think so. That is, other than Lord Nakahara, of course. Did his lordship come with you?”

“No. There was no need. He left Sukemichi alive outside his room.” Akitada added, “The fact that the body was in the garden might suggest that he was meeting a member of his family or a servant.”

The prefect looked shocked. “You cannot possibly suspect his family, sir.”

Kosehira said firmly, “Of course we can. We can suspect everyone until we have the killer.”

Ishimoda blinked. “Yes, I see, sir. I’m very sorry. But I don’t know why he was in the garden. Perhaps he saw something or someone?”

Kosehira nodded. “That is quite possible. If he saw a stranger for example, he might have gone to investigate.”