The widow twisted and screamed. With the practice of years of maltreating prisoners, Chobei flung her facedown on the floor. Her parents prostrated themselves, begging for mercy for her. Akitada ignored them. Two of his constables approached to hold her down, while Chobei pulled the leather whip from his belt and used it. He counted out ten strokes in a loud voice so he would be heard above the screams and sobs from the prisoner and her weeping parents. When he was done, he untied her ankles, and hauled her sagging figure back to her feet. The two constables dragged the whimpering woman past the crowd and out of the hall. Her parents hurried after her.

There was no more trouble, but Tora continued to stand with drawn sword, ready to cut down the first man or woman who stepped forward.

Akitada was sick. Aware that he was starting to shake from head to foot, he sat back down, rapped his baton, and said as steadily as he could, “The prisoners will remain in custody until the case is cleared up. This hearing is adjourned until further evidence has been collected.”

He barely made it out to the back of the hall before vomiting.

* * * *

TEN

RETURN TO TAKATA

T

he following day, Akitada rode back to Takata with an official cortege, scraped together from what was available. Two constables trotted ahead, their breaths steaming in the icy air as their chant—”Make way for the governor! Make way!”—scattered itinerant monks, old women, small children, and anyone else on the road. Tora followed on horseback, in armor and with sword and bow. Three more constables jogged behind him. The third carried the tribunal banner. Next came Akitada, trying to look impressive in formal attire on a horse with faded red silk tassels swinging from its harness. Dr. Oyoshi followed him and somewhat spoiled the effect by drooping on a sad-looking shaggy pony. The end of the cortege was made up of two more constables.

This pomp and circumstance hid discontent among the members. The constables were outraged by the forced march in the cold and had obeyed only because Chobei had been dismissed for insubordination and they were afraid to meet the same fate. Tora shivered without his bearskins and missed Hitomaro, who had become very secretive, staying out late without explanations, and accepting with uncharacteristic eagerness their master’s suggestion that he check out the fishmonger’s tale. And he was gone again today. The doctor was in an abstracted mood, and Akitada had been seized by such a presentiment of looming disaster that his very soul felt as frozen as the wintry landscape around them.

Kaibara received them again in the main courtyard and led Akitada, Oyoshi, and Tora to the new lord and master of Takata.

News of the hearing must have reached Takata by now, but Uesugi pretended surprise. He was seated on his dais in the reception hall, wearing an ordinary house robe and an expression of petulant irritation. When Akitada came in, he bowed without rising and said with a tight smile, “An unexpected pleasure, Excellency. I hope you and your friends will join me in a cup of wine and a pleasant chat.”

Akitada replied with equally cold politeness, “Though deeply honored by your generous hospitality, I cannot accept. Official business interferes.”

“I am disconsolate. What official business might that be?”

“As you may have heard, a body was found below the north pavilion of your manor and delivered to the tribunal night before last. According to Dr. Oyoshi, my coroner, it belongs to a man called Hideo, your late honored father’s personal attendant. It seems he died falling from the gallery.”

Uesugi looked shocked. “Hideo? Oyoshi, you say it was Hideo? Are you certain?” He sighed deeply and closed his small eyes. “How sad! We all thought he had gone to the mountains to mourn my honorable father’s death.” He sighed again, more deeply, shaking his head. “A true servant, a rare man. How inspiring!”

“What do you mean, inspiring?” Akitada asked sharply.

Uesugi scowled at his tone. Kaibara explained smoothly, “His lordship means that Hideo made the final sacrifice by following his master into death, Excellency.”

“Nonsense. The man was murdered.”

There was a moment’s silence. “Murdered?” Uesugi burst into forced laughter. “Someone has been pulling your leg, Governor. Not you, Oyoshi, I hope? Who would murder good old Hideo? No, no, he jumped. As Kaibara says, it was a very moving tribute by a loyal man.”

Akitada said nothing and waited.

Uesugi cocked his round face. “I’m afraid you made this long journey for nothing, my dear Governor. Especially now, when you are needed in the city. There have been disturbing reports of unrest in Naoetsu. I hope it is nothing serious? We stand ready to assist you.”

“Nothing I cannot handle,” Akitada snapped. “I brought my assistants to investigate the site of the victim’s fall and talk to the servants. I take it that neither you nor Kaibara saw the servant Hideo after your father’s death?”

Uesugi and Kaibara exchanged a glance, then Uesugi said angrily, “You forget that this is a house of mourning.”

“I regret, but the investigation of a crime takes precedence over such considerations.”

Kaibara protested, “But even if a crime had been committed, it would come under the jurisdiction of his lordship. It occurred in his domain. You have no rights here.”

Akitada looked at Uesugi. “Instruct your man in the proper respect due to my position!”

Uesugi’s face was purple, but he hissed at Kaibara, “Apologize to his Excellency this instant!”

Kaibara looked murderous but he knelt and touched his forehead to the floor, muttering, “I hope your Excellency will overlook a foolish soldier’s bad manners. I spoke carelessly out of loyalty to my master.”

Akitada ignored him and said to Uesugi, “The question of jurisdiction does not apply, since the crime was reported to me in Naoetsu and the victim’s body was brought to the tribunal there.”

“But even so, Excellency,” Uesugi replied, “such matters have always been handled by us. The authority of the high constable rests with the lords of Takata.”

“Not anymore. You recall that I have not requested a renewal of the appointment. I may reserve the position for myself.”

Kaibara, who had remained in his abject posture, now popped up, his hand at his sword hilt. Uesugi shook his head at him. “I trust you will change your mind, Excellency,” he said through clenched teeth. “It takes manpower to enforce the law here. For the moment, Kaibara will assist you in your investigation.” He closed his eyes indicating that the interview was over.