Hoping it was Sadenari after all this time, Akitada asked, “What sort of fellow?”

The fat man made a face.  “Young and big.  A proper thug.  He threatened me.  Best watch out for that one, sir.”

Not Sadenari then.  Could one of the men who had attacked him be so foolhardy as to attack him again?  He decided it was not impossible, given the attitude of the local authorities.  After all he had been through, it even seemed possible that the governor, the prefect, or Nakahara, singly or in concert, had hired killers to get rid of him.

He thanked the man and went in search of his evening meal while keeping his eyes open against trouble.

He had not gone far when he heard a shout, “Sir, sir!” and turned.

“Tora?”  Surprise and pleasure gave way to puzzlement.  He could not have made the trip quite this quickly.  “Has anything happened?”

Stopping before him, Tora grinned. “All’s well.  I was here earlier but you were out.  Her ladyship sent me to check up on you.”  He chuckled.  “I didn’t object.  A trip to see the beauties of the river towns was just what I wanted.”

“I’m very glad to see you, but does Hanae know why you’re so eager to be here?”

“No, but don’t worry.  I’m a faithful husband these days.  Still, no harm in looking, right?”

Akitada gave up.  “As it happens, I did send for you this morning.  You must have missed my letter.  My clerk has disappeared, and I’ve run into trouble in Kawajiri.  I should have brought an armed escort, but you’ll do.”

Chapter Twelve

A Flea between a Dog’s Teeth

They had almost reached the restaurant where they planned to eat their evening rice, when someone hailed them.  Akitada’s heart sank.  It was Otomo again.  He glanced at Tora.  “It’s the professor I mentioned,” he said.

Tora’s eyes lit up.

No wonder, Akitada thought.  A case of a drowned courtesan in Eguchi was just what Tora would like to investigate.  Heaven forbid that Sadenari’s fascination with the drowned girl should be reborn in Tora.  He could not afford to have another assistant take off and possibly disappear. “Let’s hope he won’t detain us,” he added.

Otomo made his bow and Akitada made introductions.

Tora said immediately, “My master told me the story of the drowned girl, sir.  I think we should investigate, find out who she is, and who killed her.”

Otomo blinked at so much enthusiasm. “Your honored master thinks it was an ordinary suicide,” he said cautiously.  “I agree.  The brothel keeper is married to the local warden. That explains why they don’t want to talk about it.  It’s bad for business to have too many suicides.”

Tora said darkly, “I bet that female’s up to no good.  I can see it now.  Young girls are stolen and forced to work in brothels, and the law does nothing about it because the warden is in the business, too.  It’s the perfect set-up.  For all we know, there may be hundreds of young women like that in the other towns just like Eguchi.  And what happens if the girls don’t obey?  Most likely they’re killed.  There’s nobody to ask questions because their families don’t know what happened to them.”

Akitada cleared his throat.  “We don’t know that, Tora.  What we have is one drowning victim and rumors of two or three girls that may have come from Koryo.”

Otomo hung his head and said, “I cannot help feeling a sense of responsibility, but perhaps I have become too involved.  Please forget what I said before.”

Akitada could not allow anything to detract him from his assignment, but Tora’s theory had sounded reasonable.  He wished he could ask questions about the mansion on the river and about the drowned girl, but he must not encourage Tora and Otomo.  He said, “It does you credit that you care, Professor, but as you know, we’re here on duty.”

Otomo nodded.  “Yes, of course.  Tora’s interest somehow gave me the notion that you would be looking into the case after all.  Please don’t concern yourself.  I blush to think that you should feel the least obligation.  No, no.  We shall say no more about it.  May I look forward to sharing my evening rice with both of you?”

Akitada thanked him but claimed business.  He thought Otomo looked relieved.

Later, over a leisurely dinner at the restaurant, Akitada filled Tora in on all that had happened.  He proposed that they work separately to start with.

“While you’re still a stranger here, you can move about and ask your questions without making people suspicious.  And you’re more likely to get answers than I.”

Tora had a faraway look on his face.  “That goes for Eguchi, too. Someone there knows about those girls.  It’s the sort of investigation I’m good at.”

Akitada snapped, “Absolutely not.  I have an assignment, and finding Sadenari is more important than enjoying yourself among the harlots of Eguchi.  Besides, a drowning in Eguchi is none of our business.  I want you here or in Kawajiri.  Start at the post station.  Ask if they remember Sadenari.  He may have arranged to take a boat to Kawajiri.  Perhaps he wasn’t alone.  If you cannot follow up on that trail, go on to Kawajiri, to the Hostel of the Flying Cranes.  It’s the last place where Sadenari was seen and a likely hide-out for pirates.”

After their meal, they walked back to the government hostel to arrange for Tora’s lodging.  The fat man raised no objections.

Later, Tora asked Akitada, “Doesn’t that fat bastard feed his daughter? I’ve seen healthier kids among the beggars in the capital.”

“It worries me, too. He makes her work, carrying heavy bags for guests and then, I think, he collects her tips.  Poor child.”

“Hah!  I’ll see about that while I’m here.”

“No, Tora.  Get some sleep and then look into Sadenari’s whereabouts.  Besides, we cannot interfere between a parent and child.”

Tora nodded, but he had his familiar stubborn look that told Akitada that he would find ways to do both.

*

Early the following morning, Akitada went to speak to Nakahara again.  Apparently, apart from removing the confiscated goods from Nakahara’s office, business was conducted in the same casual manner.  No one stopped him, and he walked in unannounced.

Nakahara was dictating.  Typically, it was Tameaki who sat beside him, taking down the letter while Nariyuki lounged nearby, looking bored.

Nakahara started up like a frightened rabbit.  “You’re back,” he gasped, flinging out an arm that upset Tameaki’s ink stone and scattered papers.

Akitada eyed him suspiciously.  “Yes, I’m back.  Sorry to interrupt, but as you know, I’m under orders from the Minister of the Right.  I keep hoping you’ll take his Excellency’s instructions to heart.  Dismiss your clerks.”

Tameaki and Nariyuki left with bows to Akitada.  As Akitada sat down on a cushion, Nariyuki’s voice could be heard from the corridor, proposing a quick visit to the market for a bowl of noodles.

Nakahara’s hands were shaking.

Good, thought Akitada.  He deserves to tremble.  That is what happens to officials who shift their allegiance to local strong men and ignore the wishes of the court.  He looked into the other man’s face, saw the flush of shame, the tightening of the lips and said, “I have made my report to His Excellency.  He will be displeased that I met with obstruction from you and the local officials when I attempted to carry out my orders.”

Nakahara made a jerky gesture of entreaty.  “You must understand that I find myself in a difficult situation here.  The court is a good distance away.  Different rules apply.”

Akitada snapped, “For a loyal servant of His Majesty only His rules apply.  How dare you tell me that you work for another master?”