As he related Reiko’s discoveries, Magistrate Ueda beamed with paternal pride. “Then there must be something else she can do. More covert inquiries, such as she carried out today, might prove very helpful, hmm?”

Every instinct in Sano clamored in rebellion against this alternative. “What if the killer thinks she’s a threat and attacks her when I’m not around to protect her?” Despite his anger at his wife, the thought of losing Reiko shot terror through him. He was falling in love with her, he realized unhappily, with little chance of reciprocation. Yet he refused to relinquish control over his household.

“Your stubborn nature is a barrier in the path to a happy marriage,” Magistrate Ueda said. “Reiko will have to submit if you force her obedience, but she would never love or respect you. Therefore I fear that a compromise on your part is necessary.”

Sano sighed. “All right. I’ll try to think of something for Reiko to do.”

Now he recalled the other reason he’d come to see his father-in-law. “I was hoping you might be able to give me some background information on the murder suspects.” Any crimes in their pasts or complaints against them would be recorded in the official court documents. Despite the problems in Sano’s marriage, it had brought him one clear benefit: a connection with Magistrate Ueda.”Have Lieutenant Kushida, Lady Ichiteru, or Lord and Lady Miyagi been in trouble before?”

“I checked the records on Kushida and Ichiteru this morning, when I heard they were suspects,” Magistrate Ueda replied. “There was nothing on them. The Miyagi, however, are a different matter. I recall an incident that occurred four years ago. The daughter of a guard disappeared from the estate next door to the Miyagi’s. The girl’s parents claimed that Lord Miyagi was responsible. He enticed her into his house and tried to seduce her, they said, then killed her when she resisted.”

A tingle of excitement began in Sano’s chest. Perhaps the daimyo did follow the ways of his cruel ancestors. Perhaps he’d poisoned the girl-and later Lady Harume, for refusing to perform acts he requested. “What happened?”

“The girl’s body was recovered from a canal a few days later. The police couldn’t tell how she died. No charge was brought against Lord Miyagi. The case remains unsolved.” Magistrate Ueda’s shrug conveyed a deep cynicism. “That is the way of the law.”

“Yes,” Sano said. “The word of a mere soldier wouldn’t stand a chance against Lord Miyagi’s influence.”

“Influence is a formidable threat, Sano-san.” The magistrate bent a penetrating gaze upon him. “Shortly after the daughter’s death, that guard was run out of town by Lord Miyagi’s retainers. He couldn’t get another post. He and his wife died paupers. The bakufu neither protected them nor punished Lord Miyagi.”

Sano made a decision. “There’s something I want to tell you about the murder-something very sensitive. Will you promise to keep it in the strictest confidence?” At Magistrate Ueda’s assent, Sano told him about the pregnancy.

Frowning in contemplation, Magistrate Ueda hesitated, then said, “Because of Lady Harume’s pregnancy, the murder case now potentially involves the succession of power. Your investigation could implicate powerful citizens who wish to weaken Tokugawa rule by breaking the hereditary line. The outside lords, for example. Or the man responsible for many of your past troubles, hmm?”

Chamberlain Yanagisawa. Recalling his odd behavior at their last meeting, Sano wondered uneasily whether it signified the chamberlain’s involvement in the murder. At first this case had seemed straightforward. Now the prospect of unraveling a high-reaching conspiracy daunted Sano.

“I respect your ability and your principles,” Magistrate Ueda said. “But beware of making serious accusations against influential suspects. If you anger the wrong people, even your rank may not protect you.” Another weighty pause, then: “I’m concerned for my daughter’s sake as well as yours. You will promise not to endanger her recklessly, hmm?”

In warfare and politics, enemies often attacked one another’s kin.

“I promise,” Sano said, feeling the contrary pull of honor and professional integrity, prudence and family considerations. Bowing, he said, “Thank you for your advice, Honorable Father-in-law. My apologies for disturbing you so late. I’d better go home and let you get back to work.

“Good night, Sano-san.” Magistrate Ueda bowed. “I shall do everything in my power to help you resolve the murder case with minimum damage to our families.” Then he smiled wryly. “And good luck with Reiko. If you can tame her, you’re a better man than I.”

It was a scant two hours until midnight by the time Sano returned to Edo Castle. From across the hills blew a frost-edged autumn wind. Acrid charcoal smoke rose from thousands of braziers. The sky’s starry black canopy arched above the sleeping city. Sano, huddled in his heavy cloak as he rode through the castle’s maze of walled passages, felt more than ready for sleep himself. This had been a long, tiring day, with the promise of another one tomorrow. Craving a warm bed, Sano entered his street in Edo Castle ’s Official Quarter.

He experienced a premonition of danger the moment before his vision registered its cause. The area was completely dark, though there should have been lights above the gates of every estate. The district seemed unnaturally quiet and deserted. Where were the sentries and patrol guards?

Hand on his sword hilt, Sano rode slowly toward his own house, keeping close to the rows of barracks that surrounded the mansions of his neighbors. By the light of the moon he saw two lanterns hanging from the roof of a gate, their flames extinguished. And below, a dark heap lying in the street. Sano dismounted, the sense of danger flowing over him like a malignant wind current. Crouching, he examined the heap. His heart thumped when he discerned the still bodies of two armored sentries, breathing but unconscious. Leaving his horse behind, Sano ran to the next gate, where he discovered more unconscious guards. Bloody wounds, made by a blunt weapon, marked their heads.

Alarm surged in Sano as he recalled past attempts on his life. Was this an ambush, set by Chamberlain Yanagisawa, who had tried to assassinate him many times before? Or by someone else who knew he’d left the district alone tonight? The great fortress of Edo Castle was, he knew from personal experience, no safe haven for a man with powerful enemies. Had an assassin disabled everyone who might have interfered with an attack? The guards, not expecting invasion during peacetime, had been easy targets. Was someone lying in wait for Sano now?

At his home, where Reiko, Hirata, the detective corps, and the servants slept, unaware of the danger?

Breathless with anxiety, Sano ran to his own estate. The wounded sentries lay unconscious across the threshold.

“Tokubei! Gorō!” Kneeling, Sano shook them. “Are you all right?! What happened?”

The men stirred, groaning. “… got past us,” Gorō muttered. “Sorry…” Dragging himself to his feet, he swayed dizzily, clutching his head.

“Who was it?” Sano asked.

“Didn’t see. Happened too fast.”

The ironclad gate was open. Sword drawn, Sano leaned into the courtyard. Nothing moved in the darkness. Beckoning for Gorō to follow, he entered cautiously-and stumbled over the inert bodies of his patrol guards. The door to the fenced inner enclosure stood ajar.

“Go in the barracks and wake the detectives,” Sano told Gorō. “Tell them there’s an intruder in the house.”

The guard hurried off to obey. Sano approached the enclosure. Though aware that he could be walking into a trap, he must protect his household. He couldn’t wait for help. Before him loomed the dark mansion. Sano crept up the wooden steps. He paused in the shadows beneath the deep eaves above the veranda, listening. Somewhere on the hill, a horse neighed but no sound came from inside the house. Sano tiptoed through the open front door and crossed the entry porch.