The Masuda Affair

by I. J. Parker

  Akitada was distracted by her perfume and nearness. He moved a little and for a moment their bodies touched warmly before she moved away.

  Seimei cleared his throat. ‘Tora was very anxious to speak to you.’

  Akitada sighed. ‘It’s about his miserable cur. Come to think of it, I never had a chance to ask him why he did not meet me in Otsu.’

  Seimei was startled. ‘You don’t know, sir? He found a murdered woman early this morning and was kept by the police.’

  ‘What?’ Akitada was on his feet. ‘Why didn’t anybody tell me?’

  ‘I’m sure he tried to, sir.’ There was a note of reproof in Seimei’s voice.

  Akitada grunted and dashed from the room.

  It was getting dark outside. Genba was drawing water at the well. From the corner of the house came the sound of coughing. The ancient carpenter was shuffling off to his evening rice.

  ‘Where is Tora?’ Akitada called out to Genba.

  Genba put down the wooden bucket. ‘He left, sir.’

  ‘Left? To do what?’

  ‘You told him to get rid of Trouble.’ Seeing Akitada’s frown, Genba explained. ‘He’s trying to find a home for him. It won’t be easy. Trouble’s not a handsome animal. And letting him loose will just mean he’ll be killed. Tora’s very fond of that dog.’

  Akitada had not intended this. Shaking his head at the misunderstanding, he sat down abruptly on one of the steps. It creaked alarmingly, and when he looked, he saw that a large crack had opened up. This reminded him of the condition of his home. ‘I’m afraid the next earthquake will bring the roof down around our ears,’ he muttered. ‘I’ve been neglectful of my responsibilities.’

  Genba tried to cheer him up. ‘The house is very solid, sir. The carpenter comes every day, and with three of us working together, we’ll have all the problems fixed in no time.’

  But Akitada knew better. For one thing there was no money. He had no idea how long he could pay the ancient carpenter. For another, his neglect extended to his family as well as his home. It was a miracle Tora had stayed with him all these years – that any of them had stayed. He looked at Genba, a huge man, a former wrestler gone to seed. His short, bristly hair was grizzled, and the massive body had turned soft and flabby. When he and Hitomaro had first joined Akitada’s family, they had both been strong young men. Hitomaro had given his life for him, and Genba, in his own way, was still doing so. Genba had never married and had served him quietly, never making demands, never complaining about his lost chances in the ring. Akitada had begun to treat him as a fixture, almost with the same disrespect that Yori used to show him. Genba had been there to be made use of. They had taken his devotion for granted, and Akitada had even begrudged him the food that was Genba’s only weakness.

  ‘I’m sorry, Genba,’ Akitada said now. ‘I’m truly sorry about many things. I haven’t been myself lately. Tora need not have given the dog away, just confined him somewhere.’

  Genba’s anxious face brightened. ‘I’ll tell him. He’ll be very happy, sir.’

  Akitada sighed. ‘Are you happy here, Genba?’

  Panic appeared in Genba’s face. ‘Why do you ask, sir? Have I done something wrong?’

  ‘No.’ Akitada rose to put a hand on Genba’s shoulder. ‘No, my old friend. Not you. The fault is mine. I beg your forgiveness. You must tell me next time I’m unreasonable or … cruel.’

  ‘Oh, I could never do that … I mean you never … You could never be cruel, sir. As for being a bit distracted, well, we know you don’t mean it.’ He broke off helplessly.

  Akitada embraced him. ‘Thank you,’ he said, very moved. ‘And thank you for watching over all of us while I … was busy elsewhere and Tora had his own problems. I don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t been for you and Seimei.’

  Genba blinked rapidly and muttered, ‘It was nothing, sir.’

  ‘Did Tora by any chance tell you about a murder he discovered this morning?’

  ‘No. He’d just got back from talking to the police and was depressed and very anxious to see you.’

  ‘I was in a hurry and thought it was about the dog. Tell Tora to bring the dog back and then come to report to me.’

  But Akitada waited in vain for Tora to return. Eventually, he spread his bedding in his room and went to sleep there.

  In the morning, he got up and looked immediately for Tora. He found him sitting on the bottom step of the stairs, his shoulders slumped and his head in his hands. There was no sign of the dog.

  ‘Where’s Trouble?’ Akitada asked. ‘Didn’t Genba tell you to bring him back?’

  Tora rose and turned. It was obvious that he had not slept. ‘I tried, sir,’ he said. ‘I went back last night, but he’s gone. They took him away. I shouldn’t have left him there. I could tell they’d mistreat him. But they had children, and I thought Trouble would like that. Someone to play with. He’s just never had that before. I think that’s what made him the way he was. There wasn’t a bad bone in that dog’s body. He was bored.’

  Tora sounded near to tears, and Akitada felt very guilty. ‘I’m sorry, Tora. I suppose Genba mentioned that I didn’t mean it. Do you know where these people took the dog?’

  Tora shook his head. ‘I didn’t ask. They’re travelers. Vagrants. The whole family works at temple fairs. The kids tumble and beg a few coppers from the pilgrims. The husband and wife are jugglers and musicians. The husband thought he could train Trouble to do tricks.’

  ‘Dear Heaven.’ Akitada pictured that clumsy, big, unattractive animal trying to dance on a ball or jump through flying hoops. ‘What gave him that idea?’

  Tora looked shamefaced. ‘Me. I was getting pretty desperate by then, so I talked him up a bit. Funny thing was, as I was talking, Trouble had that intelligent expression he gets sometimes. But you’re right. He’ll never learn any tricks. They’ll beat him first, and then maybe they’ll kill him. He gave me such a look when I walked away’

  Akitada remembered how it had felt walking away from the boy in Otsu and did not know what to say. Tora had a beaten manner about him that he did not like. When they had fallen out over Hanae, he had been angry and defiant. Now he just looked hopeless.

  As they stood together in front of the house, neither knew what to say. Genba watched them from the stable door, and the old carpenter shuffled past, carrying some boards and making them a creaking bow. Akitada almost suggested getting another dog, but bit it off in time.

  Tora said, ‘Trouble was a lot like me. Couldn’t do anything right, but he was loyal.’

  More guilt.

  Akitada muttered, ‘Don’t blame yourself. It was my fault. All of it was my fault.’ He paused. ‘What happened with that maid?’

  ‘That’s another thing I couldn’t do right. The bastard murdered Little Abbess before I could talk to her. Beat her head in just like the doctor’s.’

  ‘Who is Little Abbess?’

  ‘Peony’s maid. She sells old clothes now. Sold, I mean.’ He sighed.

  Akitada frowned. ‘So you got no information?’

  ‘I talked to her a little the day before. She told me some things, but she was very close-mouthed about others. That’s why I went back before reporting to you in Otsu. Only by then that bastard Ishikawa or the monk had got to her. She might still be alive if I hadn’t gone chasing after Ishikawa.’

  ‘What monk? You had better tell me the whole story from the beginning.’ Akitada sat down on the steps.

  Tora told him.

  Akitada asked, ‘What did the maid say about the child’s father?’

  ‘She wouldn’t say if it was Sadanori or young Masuda. A customer came in, and I left to look for Ishikawa.’

  Akitada had Tora repeat the conversation between Sadanori and Ishikawa twice. It puzzled him also. ‘Sadanori’s anger must be due to Ishikawa’s blackmail,’ he said, ‘but it isn’t clear if Sadanori ordered the murders or Ishikawa acted on his own and afterwards held the crimes over Sadanori’s head. What is
the monk’s part in all this?’

  ‘I wish I knew. Every time I turned around I saw one of those begging monks. Maybe it was just one guy. Anybody could hide under one of those basket hats.’

  Akitada frowned, remembering the monk in the warden’s office in Otsu. He had identified the boy as belonging to the Mimuras. And had there not been an itinerant monk outside the doctor’s house on the day of the murder? ‘Where did you see all these monks?’

  ‘The first one was outside Sadanori’s residence. I told him it was a stupid place to beg. He wanted to know if I worked there. Then, at the shrine market, he was talking to the fan seller right after Ishikawa. I caught up with the bastard in the capital—’

  ‘Wait. How do you know it was the same man every time?’

  ‘I don’t. But they were all about the same size and height. Anyway, his basket hat came off then and he was a stranger. I let him get away. But then, there he was again the next day, right outside Little Abbess’s place. Right after her murder.’

  ‘What? Did you speak to him?’

  ‘No. He ducked into the crowd when he saw me.’

  Akitada shook his head. ‘Strange. A monk was also seen outside the doctor’s place. Hmm. I’m not sure about this monk, but I have a feeling he’s part of Peony’s story. In any case, the facts now point to Ishikawa and Sadanori. You were right all along. I have other news. The doctor’s notes show that he may have been killed because he knew someone poisoned young Masuda.’ He smiled. ‘You’ve done excellent work.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’ Tora cheered up a little. ‘What’s next?’

  ‘Get some rest. It’s time I paid Lord Sadanori a visit.’

  TWENTY-ONE

  Lady Saisho

  Akitada went to tell his wife about Tora’s news. She listened, interrupted a few times to ask a question, but did not offer any comments until he was done. ‘Oh, that poor, poor young woman,’ she murmured. ‘Rejected by everyone. And the boy. You must bring him to us, Akitada, whatever happens. We cannot let him down again.’ Bypassing Tora’s exciting tale of monks and murder, she had gone straight to what mattered most to her: the lost child.

  He nodded reluctantly. ‘Yes, I suppose so.’

  Her eyes widened at his tone. ‘I thought you were quite determined. Have you changed your mind?’

  How could he admit his selfishness to her? ‘My efforts have been grossly misinterpreted,’ he said evasively.

  ‘But that is nonsense. You cared for the child because your heart is kind.’

  ‘No, Tamako,’ he said bitterly. ‘I was not kind. I was lonely and behaved like a spoiled child who wanted an expensive toy. I was going to buy him. Now all our funds are gone, and so is my career. And the child doesn’t even like me.’

  He knew he had sounded petulant and started to leave, but Tamako caught his sleeve. ‘No. You’re wrong. You missed Yori and wanted someone to love again. I, too—’ She took his hand and begged, ‘Can we not try together to accept what happened?’

  Akitada had no words, but he squeezed her hand and nodded.

  She said, ‘It helps to reach out when we stumble.’

  Emotion choked Akitada. He made an effort and managed to say quite steadily, ‘Yes, well, I’ve certainly fallen down many times on this case. But remember, if the child is really the son of Peony and Masuda, he has a family. Though it may be impossible to prove it, now the maid is dead and Mrs Ishikawa has been spirited away by her son.’

  ‘Mrs Ishikawa is the key. Tora said her son expects to marry Sadanori’s daughter.’

  A misalliance, if ever there was one. ‘It’s hardly likely that Sadanori would agree.’

  ‘He might if he were forced to,’ insisted Tamako.

  ‘Sadanori is very secure in his position at court. Besides, I don’t see a man like Sadanori taking such risks. Seduction and abduction, even rape of women from the amusement quarter, are more in his line. Nobody pays attention to a man’s sexual peccadilloes.’ But that was not entirely true. He, Akitada, was under sharp scrutiny at this moment for sexual misconduct. However, he was hardly of Sadanori’s rank and connections.

  ‘What do you think?’ asked Tamako.

  ‘I don’t know what to think. Ishikawa is repulsive, but I’ve never thought him capable of murder. When he cornered me six years ago at the university, he could have killed me, but he intended only a beating.’ Akitada would always feel a remnant of sympathy for the handsome and brilliant student whose ambition and poverty had led him into crime.

  ‘We must find Mrs Ishikawa.’

  ‘Yes. You’re quite right. I’m on my way to speak to Sadanori. After that we’ll know better how to proceed.’ Akitada rose with new energy. ‘Thank you. You’ve been most helpful.’

  Tamako gave him a trembling smile.

  Akitada changed into his second-best silk robe and clean silk trousers before calling on the great lord. At the Sadanori compound, Akitada checked the gate for begging monks, but saw none.

  Fujiwara Sadanori received him formally in the main house. The reception hall was lit by several candles on tall stands. Sadanori sat on a cushion on a thick grass mat, one elbow on a lacquered armrest and a go board by his side as if he had been interrupted in a game against himself. He returned Akitada’s bow, calculated carefully to be just less than polite, and gestured to another cushion.

  ‘Have I had the pleasure?’ he asked with the vagueness of a great man who cannot be expected to remember those who seek his favor every day, but his eyes were watchful.

  ‘No, sir.’ Akitada made no attempt to add the customary flattery, and the watchful eyes sharpened.

  Sadanori was in his early forties and slightly corpulent. He had a round, smooth-shaven face with thin lips that turned downwards when he was not smiling. He was not smiling now. ‘In that case, perhaps you will be brief. I am very busy.’

  ‘Yes, I see. Briefly then: one of the women in my household claims that you had her abducted and confined in a house in the Gojibomon quarter. She managed to escape the day after the abduction. I found the story difficult to believe and came to verify the matter.’

  Sadanori was clearly startled, but then his face cleared. He said coldly, ‘An extraordinary story. I wonder you troubled to come here.’

  ‘Her name is Hanae. She used to be a dancer in the Willow Quarter. I believe you know her?’

  Sadanori laughed. ‘Did you buy the girl? My compliments. She is a charmer, though I found her less than accommodating myself.’

  Akitada corrected him. ‘I did not buy her. She is the wife of one of my retainers. Perhaps you might care to answer my question.’

  The other man snapped, ‘I don’t like your tone. And I certainly have no intention of answering rude and ridiculous questions.’

  ‘You just admitted to knowing Hanae well enough to have made her an offer of sorts, and I believe you own the house she was taken to.’

  Sadanori’s hands clenched. ‘I have nothing to say to you,’ he said. ‘This visit was ill-advised.’

  ‘I have seen the house myself and thought it perfectly suited for a concubine,’ remarked Akitada, making no move to leave. ‘I was particularly struck by the theme of the decoration. Peonies. Wasn’t there a first-class courtesan called “Peony” a few years ago? Her sudden disappearance raised many eyebrows.’

  Sadanori jumped up and pointed a shaking finger at Akitada. ‘Get out!’ he shouted. ‘How dare you – you, a man who plays with little boys. Aren’t you in enough trouble already?’

  Akitada rose with a smile. Sadanori had been involved with Peony – deeply involved, to judge by this outburst – and he had known all along who Akitada was and why he had come. In fact, Akitada now suspected that Sadanori had been behind his troubles with the chancellor. He would have liked to pursue the matter, but Sadanori’s raised voice had brought the servants, and so he bowed and left.

  When he got home, he found Tamako dressed for travel. She greeted him with the news that she wished him to go to Otsu with her.
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  Akitada gaped at his wife. Tamako had withdrawn so completely from all outside interests after Yori’s death that this new forthright demand startled him. She used to have a mind of her own, charmingly most of the time and irritatingly so when they had first begun to quarrel, but she had never taken matters into her own hands and issued commands to her husband.

  ‘A … a delightful offer,’ he stammered helplessly, because he did not want to destroy their hard-won reconciliation, ‘but there is another urgent matter.’

  She gave him a questioning look.

  ‘Sadanori. Tora was quite right to suspect him. We must find Ishikawa’s mother and find her quickly.’

  Tamako frowned. ‘Is she in danger?’

  ‘Perhaps, though I don’t think Ishikawa would kill his own mother. More importantly, Sadanori knows that I suspect him.’

  Tamako protested, ‘But no one seems to know where she is. Surely you won’t be searching the temples for her?’

  Since this had crossed his mind, Akitada said defensively, ‘I thought Tora and I could visit a few near the capital. Most likely she would leave an offering, and those are recorded. We would eventually catch up with her.’

  Tamako shook her head. ‘I think getting the child is more important.’

  Her sudden, high-handed decision dismayed Akitada, but he called Tora, who arrived looking more rested and cheerful, and explained the situation to him.

  Tora glanced from Akitada to Tamako, saw the firm set of his lady’s chin, and said, ‘I bet Ishikawa’s taken his old lady to Uji, to Sadanori’s mother.’

  ‘To Uji?’ Akitada considered this. ‘By heaven, yes. Why didn’t I think of that?’

  ‘He has taken his mother to Lady Saisho?’ Tamako asked. ‘But why?’

  ‘He thinks we won’t look there.’ The more Akitada thought about it, the better he liked it. ‘Tora, you’ve outdone yourself. I should have realized that the pilgrimage story was meant to throw us off the track.’

  Tora grinned complacently.

  ‘We can go to Otsu via Uji,’ Tamako decided. ‘It will make a pleasant journey.’