Chobei, the insubordinate sergeant of constables, sneered at him openly. Next to him, the dismissed coroner smirked with satisfaction. Their thoughts were written on their faces:The fool from the capital was about to lose his position, perhaps even his life.
Glaring at Chobei and pointinghis baton at him, Akitada raised his voice to be heard over the noise of the crowd. “Sergeant, give that woman ten lashes for inciting a riot.”
There were gasps from the crowd and it became quiet. He scowled at their startled faces. “And if there is anymore trouble from anyone here, that number will be doubled-and given to each troublemaker.”
Chobei gaped at him. Tora’ss word hissed as he drew it from its scabbard. The crowd drew back and a tense silence suddenly filled the hall. Chobei shook his head and retreated.
And Mrs. Sato laughed softly.
Furious, Akitada rose to hisfeet. “Sergeant,” he called out, “you will either carry out my order or my lieutenant will have your head.”
Tora stepped up to Chobei, his sword in both hands.
Chobei turned white. Beads ofsweat glistened on his face. After a moment, his shoulders slumped and he approached the widow. She cried out and tried to sidestep him, but he seized her arm. When he reached to strip her gown from her shoulders, Akitada snapped,“Leave her dressed.” He had no wish to give the crowd a chance to ogle ahalf-naked woman as beautiful as this one. Besides, his stomach churned alreadyat what was about to take place.
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 orwoman 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
The following day, Akitada rode back to Takata with an official cortege, scrapedtogether from what was available. Two constables trotted ahead, their breathssteaming in the icy air as their chant-”Make way for the governor! Make way!”-scattereditinerant monks, old women, small children, and anyone else on the road. Torafollowed on horseback, in armor and with sword and bow. Three more constablesjogged behind him. The third carried the tribunal banner. Next came Akitada,trying to look impressive in formal attire on a horse with faded red silktassels swinging from its harness. Dr. Oyoshi followed him and somewhat spoiledthe effect by drooping on a sad-looking shaggy pony. The end of the cortege wasmade up of two more constables.
This pomp and circumstance hiddiscontent among the members. The constables were outraged by the forced marchin the cold and had obeyed only because Chobei had been dismissed forinsubordination and they were afraid to meet the same fate. Tora shiveredwithout his bearskins and missed Hitomaro, who had become very secretive,staying out late without explanations, and accepting with uncharacteristiceagerness 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 Akitadahad been seized by such a presentiment of looming disaster that his very soulfelt as frozen as the wintry landscape around them.
Kaibara received them again inthe main courtyard and led Akitada, Oyoshi, and Tora to the new lord and masterof Takata.
News of the hearing must havereached Takata by now, but Uesugi pretended surprise. He was seated on his daisin the reception hall, wearing an ordinary house robe and an expression ofpetulant irritation. When Akitada came in, he bowed without rising and said witha tight smile, “An unexpected pleasure, Excellency. I hope you and your friendswill join me in a cup of wine and a pleasant chat.”
Akitada replied with equallycold politeness, “Though deeply honored by your generous hospitality, I cannot accept. Official business interferes.”
“I am disconsolate. Whatofficial business might that be?”
“As you may have heard, a bodywas found below the north pavilion of your manor and delivered to the tribunalnight before last. According to Dr. Oyoshi, my coroner, it belongs to a mancalled Hideo, your late honored father’s personal attendant. It seems he diedfalling from the gallery.”
Uesugi looked shocked. “Hideo?Oyoshi, you say it was Hideo? Are you certain?” He sighed deeply and closed hissmall eyes. “How sad! We all thought he had gone to the mountains to mourn myhonorable father’s death.” He sighed again, more deeply, shaking his head. “Atrue 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 finalsacrifice by following his master into death, Excellency.”
“Nonsense. The man wasmurdered.”
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, hejumped. As Kaibara says, it was a very moving tribute by a loyal man.”
Akitada said nothing andwaited.
Uesugi cocked his round face. “I’mafraid you made this long journey for nothing, my dear Governor. Especiallynow, when you are needed in the city. There have been disturbing reports ofunrest in Naoetsu. I hope it is nothing serious? We stand ready to assist you.”
“Nothing I cannot handle,” Akitadasnapped. “I brought my assistants to investigate the site of the victim’s falland talk to the servants. I take it that neither you nor Kaibara saw theservant Hideo after your father’s death?”
Uesugi and Kaibara exchanged aglance, then Uesugi said angrily, “You forget that this is a house of mourning.”
“I regret, but theinvestigation of a crime takes precedence over such considerations.”
Kaibara protested, “But even ifa 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. “Instructyour man in the proper respect due to my position!”
Uesugi’s face was purple, buthe hissed at Kaibara, “Apologize to his Excellency this instant!”
Kaibara looked murderous but heknelt and touched his forehead to the floor, muttering, “I hope your Excellencywill overlook a foolish soldier’s bad manners. I spoke carelessly out ofloyalty to my master.”
Akitada ignored him and said toUesugi, “The question of jurisdiction does not apply, since the crime wasreported to me in Naoetsu and the victim’s body was brought to the tribunalthere.”
“But even so, Excellency,”Uesugi replied, “such matters have always been handled by us. The authority ofthe high constable rests with the lords of Takata.”
“Not anymore. You recall that Ihave not requested a renewal of the appointment. I may reserve the position formyself.”
Kaibara, who had remained inhis abject posture, now popped up, his hand at his sword hilt. Uesugi shook hishead at him. “I trust you will change your mind, Excellency,” he said throughclenched teeth. “It takes manpower to enforce the law here. For the moment,Kaibara will assist you in your investigation.” He closed his eyes indicatingthat the interview was over.