He slept poorly and was up again at dawn, pacing the floor and turning over in his mind all sorts of impractical schemes for rescuing Genba. He was impatient to speak to Tora, to see if he had been able to find Saburo.

Eventually, he could not wait any longer and went to look for him. To his surprise and irritation, Tora and Yuki, his son, were kicking a football back and forth as if they didn’t have a care in the world. He did not think it was proper to discuss Saburo or Genba before the child, so he glowered and said pointedly, “Good Morning.”

Tora dropped the ball, which made Yuki claim victory.

“I didn’t know you were up already.” Tora looked apologetic.

Good.

Yuki, flushed with triumph and in the knowledge that Akitada was quite fond of him, cried, “Sir, will you play? It’s no fun with just two players. Oh, and can Yasuko come and play?”

Akitada prided himself on his skill at kemari, but football was a man’s game. Why would his dainty little daughter be expected to play? “Yasuko surely doesn’t know how to play,” he said.

“Oh, but she does,” cried Yuki. “She’s almost as good as I am.”

Akitada smiled and was about to explain that boys and girls played different games, when Tora said with a laugh, “She’s better. She beat you soundly the other day, Yuki.”

Akitada looked at them blankly, “I had no idea.” Suddenly he was aware of how little time he spent with his children. He saw the eager face of the boy and said, “Well, let me go see if she’s up.”

She was. Squealing with delight, she took off her skirt and, dressed only in shirt and trousers, ran off to join Tora and Yuki.

Tamako sat before her mirror and smiled. Akitada said, “I didn’t know she played kemari. Do you approve?”

“Why not? They are children. Children should run and play as much as possible.”

“But she’s a girl.”

Tamako raised her brows. “I don’t think kicking a ball is beyond her capabilities.”

“Perhaps not, but is it … seemly?” He thought of Lady Masako, who had been taught a man’s skills by her father and lost her chance at becoming an empress.

Tamako said firmly, “Of course. They’re at home and not in the street outside.”

Akitada left, shaking his head. To his amazement, Yasuko proved an agile and skillful player.

But the game with Tora and the children depressed him further. He had not had any vigorous exercise for some time and was quickly out of breath, dropping the ball several times. The thought crossed his mind that he and Tora should practice with the fighting staffs again.

But of course more serious matters lingered in the back of his mind.

Eventually, they left the children to their own play and went to Akitada’s study, where Akitada asked, “Any news of Saburo?”

“No, sir. I’ve searched the markets and even went to the beggars’ lair. I thought he might have gone back there because they took him in.”

“Yes. Good point. And?”

“Nothing, sir. They clammed up and told me I was unwelcome. Some crazy old man in women’s clothes sent you a message, though.”

“Really? Did you talk about me?”

“No. Didn’t mention you at all. That’s what’s so crazy.”

“What’s the message?”

“Those who wait get what others leave behind.”

“Is that good or bad? What do you think he meant by it?”

Tora grinned. “No idea. As I said, he had on women’s clothing. Lost his mind, I’d say. One thing about those beggars, they’ve got all sorts of respect for old people. You should’ve seen how they bowed to the old geezer, bringing him food and drink and asking him how he was feeling.”

“Yes, there’s good in all people.” Then Akitada thought of the police lashing Genba to get a confession. “Well, most people,” he corrected himself. “So you got nothing?”

Tora shook his head. “I’ll go back, if you like, but they didn’t want anything to do with me. It was almost like they were protecting Saburo.”

“Maybe,” said Akitada. “He may be among them, and they think he’s in trouble. Remember, Saburo stole those contracts.”

“That wasn’t stealing,” Tora said. “He was returning something that belonged to Ohiro and the other women. Tokuzo owed them, what with all the beatings and rapes.”

“In the eye of the law, it was stealing. For that matter, the killer may have acted for the women also. Does that make the murder acceptable?”

Tora frowned. “Maybe.”

“Well, he may cost Genba and Ohiro their lives.”

Tora nodded glumly. “We’ve got to find him.”

“If Saburo is right that he is a hired assassin, finding him won’t be easy or safe. I suggest we start at the other end and find out who hired him.” Akitada told Tora about the list of names Tokuzo’s mother had given him, and that was now in Kobe’s hands. “Kobe may or may not investigate those women. I have no reason to think he’ll do anything I ask him to do.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I know he was your friend.”

“Never mind. I think you’d better go back to the women who worked for Tokuzo. Talk to them. Find out who was mistreated, and if they have male family members or lovers who might have taken revenge.”

“My sort of work,” Tora said approvingly. “I’m on my way.”

Akitada sighed.

Having made a start on Genba’s problem, he returned to his duties at the ministry

with a lighter conscience. Tora would get the information, and they could interview the women. Even if the “assassin” was not the killer, surely enough information about Tokuzo would emerge to find another suspect. Akitada had no sympathy for the victim or his relatives, but he could not allow Genba to be convicted for something he had not done.

In Kosehira’s case, getting the assistance of Lady Kishi would set things in motion there. He was convinced that Lady Masako’s death was connected with the events preceding her death.

By the end of the day, some of his hopes were dashed. A messenger had arrived with a letter. It was from Kosehira, and it was bad news. He had been ordered back to his province. Kosehira said nothing else beyond the usual closure of good wishes for Akitada and his family. It was ominous and suggestive. The fact that he gave no explanations meant he expected his letters to be scrutinized. It was a warning to Akitada that their interest in the prince and Lady Masako had become known in the highest places, and action was being taken to stop them.

Had Lady Kishi betrayed them?

The more Akitada thought about this, the less likely it seemed. Her fortune was tied too closely to the prince’s for her to cut those ties and join his enemies. Yes, he had provoked her anger with his many affairs, but Kishi was a practical woman.

Obviously someone objected to the questions he and Kosehira had been asking, and ordered Kosehira back to his post. Would they approach him next? Very probably. And he did not have Kosehira’s connections and had a reputation for meddling.

With a sigh, Akitada went to see his wife to inform her of developments.

Tamako listened calmly. “Well, we knew it might come to this,” she said. “How will you proceed?”

Akitada’s heart warmed to her. How brave she was! And how lucky he was that she supported him in his decisions.

“I think I’ll go on without Kosehira,” he said.

“Yes. But what will you do? Without Kosehira, you may not have access to the people who are involved.”

“Lady Kishi has promised to help.”

“Really? That’s good, very good.” Tamako looked thoughtful. “I wonder who knew about the prince’s affair. She evidently did. Was his whole household aware? The other wives?”

Akitada had considered this, but the prince’s lack of cooperation had closed the door to asking questions of his household. And Lady Kishi was not likely to approve of such investigations either. If the guilty party was to be found within the prince’s family, she would suppress the fact at all cost.