The Emperor's Woman (Akitada Mysteries)

by Parker, I. J.

  The male servant murmured to Kosehira, “Sea bream, sir, very fresh and wholesome, and your favorite rabbit stew. Cook made it especially.”

  Kosehira said listlessly. “Thank you, Tamori. And thank Cook.”

  When the servants had left, Kosehira looked at the food before him and sighed. “They worry when I don’t eat. I’ve been a trial to them lately.” He glanced up. “Eat, Akitada. I’m sure it’s very good. I just have no appetite.”

  “Nonsense,” Akitada said briskly. “You mustn’t disappoint them. We’ll get through this. “Rabbit stew? I haven’t had any of that in a long time.” He tasted and smacked his lips.

  Kosehira chuckled. “It’s my favorite. Cook must have ordered the rabbit from home.” He reached for his bowl and ate a little. “It is good. Do you like it, Akitada?”

  “As you see.” Akitada showed his empty bowl and reached for a dumpling. “You must cheer up,” he said. “Nothing is to be gained by making yourself ill. We’ll unravel the matter soon enough. Eat!”

  Kosehira smiled a little and nodded. “Of course. With your help. Thank you, Akitada.”

  Akitada did not feel at all optimistic, but he returned to their discussion. “I wonder when Masaie found out about the affair.”

  “I don’t know. I still cannot fathom how a man can utter such words about his own child.”

  “I think he cared, perhaps too much. He did raise her like a son. It shows he favored her, even though she was a mere girl. His effort to raise her to the position of empress shows the same regard. But she bitterly disappointed him. In such a frame of mind, he may well have wished her dead. Not only did she not respect all he had done for her, but her action brought shame to him. She left the imperial apartments to be with another man. If he found out about the affair just before her death, he is a suspect.”

  Kosehira’s eyes widened. “You mean he murdered her?” He shuddered. “I hope not. That would be truly terrible.”

  “Or he paid someone to kill her.” Akitada sampled the fish and found it as perfect as the other dishes. Kosehira had eaten most of his stew and was also eyeing the bream.

  “Go ahead,” Akitada urged. “It’s excellent. You must keep up your strength. We need to talk to more people, people who know Masaie and Lady Masako. I feel out of my depth. My connections with the provincial gentry are nonexistent, but perhaps Tora can approach Masaie’s servants here. What about you?” An idea struck him. “Do you know Lady Kishi at all well?”

  Kosehira nodded. “I told you, she’s my cousin. Yes, I’ll speak to her. She may say something useful. Oh, Akitada, I’m so grateful to you. I knew I could rely on you. You’ll work it all out in no time at all.” He reached for the fish and started to eat.

  “Perhaps not quite so quickly,” said Akitada with a chuckle. “And Lady Kishi had good reason to hate Lady Masako. But surely we’ll come across something helpful soon. Can you find out who Atsuhira’s alleged co-conspirators are?”

  “I’ll try, though most of it is just gossip. I’m determined to stay here until Atsuhira’s been cleared.”

  They finished their excellent meal with the fragrant rice and more wine. Kosehira looked almost happy again, and the smile and deep bow of his servant told Akitada he had achieved the same standing as a beneficent deity in Kosehira’s household.

  The Wisdom of Women

  Saburo returned to a barrage of questions from Tora and Genba.

  “Where had he been?”

  “Didn’t he know the master would ask where he was?”

  “What was wrong with him?”

  “Had he been drinking?”

  “Why else was he staggering about like this and looking sick?”

  Saburo made it to the well coping and sat. The distance from the beggars’ temple had seemed endless. He had started feeling faint soon after leaving Bashan’s care. His physical weakness was made worse by the knowledge that he had failed most miserably and been bested by someone younger, stronger, and smarter. The last especially hurt. He was an old man who did not even have the wisdom of experience to count on.

  So he sat, and told Tora and Genba what had happened.

  “You had the contracts, and this thief stole them?” asked Genba, his eyes round with shock that his salvation had been so close only to be snatched away again.

  “Beggars’ guild?” asked Tora. “That’s going to be very useful. You’ve made friends, I hope.”

  Saburo looked at them. They didn’t care about him. They cared only about their own concerns. Why should he have expected anything else? “I’ll lie down for a while,” he said getting to his feet. “Wake me before the master returns.”

  They protested, wanting more information, but he ignored them and crept into his room, where he slipped into the bedding he had left the night before.

  When Akitada walked into his study a few hours later, Tora and Genba were waiting for him. They looked worried.

  “What’s happened?” asked Akitada, suddenly fearful that the misfortunes of the mighty had already reached his own modest household.

  “Saburo was attacked last night.”

  Tora was always the spokesman. Genba stood beside him, nodding and twisting his big hands.

  “How and where?”

  “In the Willow Quarter. As to the how—.” Tora exchanged a glance with Genba. “Umm … it seems he was looking into the murder of the brothel owner, sir.”

  Akitada frowned.

  Genba offered, “It’s all my fault, sir. I’m very sorry. I should never have brought our troubles home. And now Saburo’s not getting up. He must be badly hurt.”

  Tora said quickly, “No, Genba. We’ve been looking in on him all afternoon. He’s just sleeping. Genba exaggerates, sir.”

  Akitada took off his good robe and changed into the comfortable garment he wore at home. Then he went to sit down and told his retainers to do the same. “Am I to understand Saburo went out investigating a murder in the middle of the night?”

  They both nodded. Genba said, “I didn’t hear him leave, sir. Saburo’s very quiet when he goes on his jaunts.”

  The frustrations of the day made Akitada irritable. “Jaunts? He’s done this before?”

  Again they nodded, looking a little uneasy.

  “You come and go on your own business whenever it pleases you? Day or night?”

  Genba shrank, but Tora defended Saburo. “He works here all day and goes out at night because that’s his own time, sir. And in this case, he went to help Genba. It isn’t his fault this fellow objected to him poking around the brothel. I think Saburo ran into the killer.”

  Akitada glared. “If Saburo takes his outings during the time when he should be asleep, he won’t be much use to me the following day.” This was unfair, as Akitada well knew, because Saburo had always been diligent about his chores. “However, I’d better have a look at him. He may need a physician.”

  There was no need, because they heard slow footsteps approaching, and the door opened. Saburo, dressed in his usual neat blue robe and black sash, his hair arranged in a slightly off-centered topknot, came in. He stopped when he saw Tora and Genba with his master.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t realize you’d come back already, sir.”

  Tora said quickly, “We told the master that you were having a look at the brothel when you were attacked.”

  Akitada saw that Saburo’s face looked gray and he held on to the door jamb. “Come in and sit down,” he said, wondering how bad the injury was. “Tora and Genba told me about your adventure. How do you feel?”

  Saburo sat down and looked at the others. “I’m quite well, sir. The rest has done me a lot of good. I’m ready to get to work.”

  Akitada thought he detected a note of nervousness and wondered. Saburo had always struck him as fearless, or at least unconcerned about danger or death. He said, “There’s no work that cannot wait until tomorrow or whenever you are fully recovered. You received a head injury?”

  “It was noth
ing, sir. A little knock on the head. I’ve had worse.”

  That went without saying and proved nothing. Akitada decided to check and got up. When his fingers probed his scalp, Saburo shivered, perhaps from pain or simply from the shock of having his master feel around in his hair.

  “Hmm. A bad bruise and a scab. Why did you tie up your hair? You made it bleed. Tora, go call my wife and ask her to bring some paste or plaster. We should cut off his hair.”

  Saburo looked horrified. “Not your lady, sir,” he gasped. “I don’t want her to bother with me. In fact, you shouldn’t have bothered either. It’s embarrassing.” His voice trailed off as he saw Akitada’s bloodied fingers.

  “Nonsense. Go, Tora.”

  Tamako arrived with a jar of ointment, heard part of the story, and peered at Saburo’s head. “His hair should be shaved off. And he needs to rest, not work.”

  Saburo protested weakly, tears of shame on his scarred cheeks.

  Akitada relented. “Just some ointment, I think. Is it the stuff you used on Yasuko’s skinned knee?”

  “Yes,” she said. “We can try it. But you cannot wear your hair in a knot, Saburo. And if you don’t feel better tomorrow, we will call a physician.”

  “I’m very sorry,” Saburo muttered.

  After Tamako left, Tora returned to the subject of the beggars. “About those beggars, Saburo. I’ve wanted to get to know them for some years now, but they’re not likely to let someone like me into the guild. We should go back there together. Beggars are very useful people.”

  Saburo frowned. “I’ve thought of that, but it’ll be best if I go back by myself first. They’re very shy about anyone connected with the law.”

  “No doubt they have reason,” Akitada said drily.

  “No doubt, sir.” Saburo turned to Genba, who had been sitting by silently and unhappily. “Sorry I wasn’t more useful, Genba. I was hoping to help.”

  “Thank you, Saburo. I meant to tell you how grateful Ohiro and I are. I feel bad you got attacked on our account. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, you just have to ask.”

  “We may find another way,” Saburo said, but he did not sound very hopeful.

  Saburo went back to bed, and Genba returned to his chores, leaving Akitada and Tora together. Akitada told Tora about his visit to Masaie’s home.

  “I’d like you to get some information about him from his servants tomorrow,” he added. “Don’t tell them who you are. Find out if Masaie was in the capital when his daughter was killed and what sort of family life they had. And if there are other children besides the son and daughter.”

  Tora looked pleased when he left, and Akitada joined his wife and children for their evening meal. His worries about Kosehira and about Genba’s problem receded as they always did when he was with the children. Tamako would have questioned him more closely about his activities, but in the presence of the little ones, they both put their daily problems aside.

  Tonight, Yasuko delighted her father by reciting a poem she had learned especially for him, and Yoshitada, who had a distressing habit of upending his bowl to play with the contents, for once behaved perfectly and enchanted Akitada with his knack of producing a wide smile every time their eyes met.

  When Tamako’s maid had taken them to bed and they were alone, Tamako demanded a full account of events. Over the years, she had taken increasing interest in his work, particularly cases involving crimes. He had resisted her curiosity at first, not wanting to bring the ugly details of his work into his home or to worry her with the frequent danger to himself, but he had realized she deserved to know. Gradually, he had come to enjoy her interest, and once or twice she had been an invaluable source of advice.

  But the case of Prince Atsuhira was still too murky. He had no bright ideas to present to her, and Tamako was nothing if not intelligent. Sometimes he had the uncomfortable feeling she could see right through him.

  He had that feeling now as he related Kosehira’s predicament and the death of the Lady Masako at the bottom of a mountain cliff.

  She listened without interrupting and then sat silent for a long time. “Do you think the political plot is real?” she finally asked. “And is the prince aware of it?”

  Akitada felt a surge of pride. She had hit on the crux of the matter. He said, “It may be real. There are always discontents, and there are also people who hope to benefit from an alliance with a future emperor. I don’t know if it is a serious threat to the regent and his family. As for Prince Atsuhira, I doubt he has had a hand in it, though he may be aware of it. This isn’t the first time he’s had to deal with such suspicions.”

  She sighed. “An impossible situation then, unless he can prove to the regent and his brothers that he doesn’t support such actions.”

  “He can do that only by taking the tonsure. He claims he’s considering doing so. I don’t know if it’s due to his grief for the woman he loved or a wish to distance himself from the political wrangling. In any case, he won’t make the effort to defend himself or to find his lover’s killer.”

  “I see.” She fell silent again.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, after a moment. “This could affect our lives, but I must try to help Kosehira.”

  “Yes, of course. But Akitada, there’s also that poor young woman. Her killer must be found.”

  “You think her death is more important than Kosehira’s troubles?” he asked uncertainly.

  “I do. Kosehira has powerful relatives. He’ll survive. Lady Masako is dead and has no one to speak for her. You have always responded to the helplessness of the dead. Surely, you still do?”

  And suddenly he saw his way clear. It was all so simple. He must solve the murder. He smiled with relief and reached for his wife’s hand. “Yes, I still do, but I’m grateful that you remind me of it.” He touched his lips to the inside of her hand, breathing in the familiar orange blossom scent, and finding his thoughts drifting to closer embraces. Controlling his treacherous mind with an effort, he put her hand back in her lap. “Let’s talk about Lady Masako. What do you think happened?”

  Tamako smiled a little as if she had guessed his lust. “I don’t know, Akitada, but surely the answer must lie in her life before she died. Can you find out about it?”

  “Difficult. She was still part of His Majesty’s household when she had some of those secret meetings with Atsuhira. How am I to penetrate into the imperial women’s quarters?” He made a face and added, “Really, her behavior was thoroughly reprehensible.”

  “Perhaps. But I think you may learn more about her by talking to her family and friends.” He opened his mouth to protest that Masaie would not welcome another visit, but she went on. “She had a mother and sisters perhaps. She also had maidservants and companions. You must speak to the women. This affair touches the hearts of women.” She leaned toward him, putting her hand on his knee, and looking at him earnestly. “Akitada, try to put yourself in her place. She grew up, a beloved child, encouraged in all her whims. And then, abruptly, the father who had never shown her anything but indulgence sent her away as a bride to a boy sovereign who took an immediate dislike to her. How must she have felt?”

  “You think she took a lover out of rebellion? Perhaps the first man who seemed likely? Prince Atsuhira is a first cousin to His Majesty. No doubt he was a frequent visitor to the inner apartments. She may have seduced him.”

  Tamako removed her hand. “Nonsense. Prince Atsuhira has a reputation.”

  He did indeed. But Akitada had seen the man. Atsuhira had been deeply in love with Masako. He said so.

  Tamako pursed her lips. “I’m only saying you need to talk to someone who knew her. A woman. At that age, women have friends they confide in. You have only talked to men so far. What can they know about a woman’s heart?”

  “Oh, come,” he protested. “Men aren’t incapable of knowing women. I know you.”

  She smiled.

  He did not want to pursue the argument in case it led to a quarrel he wan
ted to avoid at all cost. “Besides, how am I to approach women who knew her?”

  “You must try. I’ll speak to your sister Akiko. She knows some of the attendants in the palace. And perhaps you should let it be known you’re investigating Lady Masako’s death?”

  His first thought was that this could bring the combined forces of the palace, the regent’s family, and of the irate Masaie and his son down upon him. But word of his interest in the case was probably already out. He could see Tamako was right. It was the logical next move, and the risk could not be avoided in any case. .

  He reached for her hand again. “Thank you,” he said. “I have married a wise woman … and a very desirable one.”

  That pleased her, and she did not object when he pulled her into an embrace and led her to the bedding her maid had spread out.

  Tora and the Cook

  Early the next morning, dressed neatly but in ordinary clothes, Tora walked to Minamoto Masaie’s house. He glanced in through the open gates, noting the armed guards without pausing in his walk. At the next corner, he paused and watched the street for a while, but he saw nobody entering the compound. No doubt, the forbidding presence of Masaie’s soldiers discouraged social calls.

  He continued along the compound’s walls to the rear of the property. Here, in a small side street, the back gate stood open as well, but there were no guards. Instead a large handcart had stopped, and an elderly man unloaded crates and baskets of food from it. These he set down in the dust of the street as a short, round woman berated him.

  She gestured at the unloaded goods and pointed inside the compound. The old man shook his head and went on unloading. As soon as the cart’s contents were piled on the ground, he took his empty cart and trotted away. The round woman ran after him, shaking her fist.