She frowned, trying to remember. “There was someone, maybe more than one. I recall smelling a scent. Jinzaemon was down the corridor and asked me what I was doing. I have a notion that there was some other man there also. Perhaps he was waiting to be my next customer. Do you think the killer was outside the room, waiting for me to leave? But how could he have known I would go to get some oil? I only did this because Nakamura-san’s attentions were becoming obnoxious.”
“Yes,” said Saburo. “We know, but this person could have been waiting for you to finish.”
“Oh,” she whispered. “How terrible! And yet I wish he had waited.”
“Never mind!” Tora said cheerfully. “We’ll do our best to find out who really killed Nakamura.
“Thank you,” she said, bowing deeply and wiping away her tears.
13
A Hopeless Case
Akitada was on his way out when Tora and Saburo returned. They met in the courtyard. Akitada, still chafing from the many ways he had been manipulated by his people, his friends, and his own sister, glowered at them.
Saburo shrank back, but Tora, not easily discouraged by his master’s moods, grinned, flashing his fine teeth. “A chilly day, sir. Winter may be early this year. We’re just back from speaking to the superintendent. Seems Saburo here is on the trail of a vicious killer.”
Akitada shot Saburo another resentful look. “I told him to leave it to the police,” he snapped.
Tora chuckled. “I can’t believe my ears, sir. That’s not been our custom in the past. You’ve caught many a killer the police would’ve let get away. We talked to Sachi—with the superintendent’s permission—and it looks like someone pinned the murder on the blind girl, sir. She’s frightened and lost.”
Akitada glanced at the gray sky. He hoped it would not rain again. He was in his best court robe and hat. “I’m on my way to the ministry,” he said. And on more unpalatable visits to regain my income, he thought. “I cannot be bothered with this. Since you’ve talked to Kobe, it seems to me you can now leave it to him. And I’ll remind you not to make remarks about the incompetence of the imperial police. It isn’t true and will lose us Kobe’s friendship.”
With this he brushed by Tora and walked out through the gate.
The halls and streets of the Daidairi greeted him like a soldier returning from frontier service. It felt at once familiar and strange. He saw no familiar faces, and people passed without a greeting. He felt awkward and embarrassed when he walked into the ministry. A young servant was sweeping the corridor and did not recognize him. Akitada had already become a stranger.
To his credit, the youngster leaned the broom against the wall and came to greet Akitada with a bow. “May I announce you, sir?” he asked in a voice that had not quite broken yet.
“I’m Sugawara Akitada. Would you let the minister know that I’m here to see him?”
The youngster shook his head. “I’m sorry, sir. His Excellency is not available. May I take you to someone else?”
The boy had memorized his little speech well, but Kaneie’s method of keeping interruptions to a minimum was causing a problem. Akitada knew the minister was in. If he had not been, the boy would have said so.
“Please just tell him I’m here,” he told the youngster.
“I shall announce you to Senior Secretary Sakanoue. Just a moment.”
He scampered off before Akitada could stop him. Senior Secretary Sakanoue? They had replaced him already. He searched his mind for Sakanoue and failed to remember him. Perhaps he was a provincial official who had been given Akitada’s position.
He decided not to stand about to be further embarrassed and walked quickly toward Kaneie’s office. As he passed the archives someone inside noticed him. He heard him call out but did not stop. Excited chatter followed him to Kaneie’s door, where a senior servant stood guard. This man recognized Akitada.
Before he could speak to the man, someone hurried up behind him.
“A moment, sir,” said a clipped voice.
Akitada turned to see a pale, tall man in elegant silk robes. He was younger than Akitada and had a hard glint in his eyes. “You are Sugawara?” he demanded.
Akitada nodded.
“I did not give it credence. That boy is an idiot. You should not have come here.”
“I beg your pardon,” Akitada said. “Do I know you?”
“Sakanoue. Senior Secretary. Perhaps you’d better come to my office.”
“Why? I came to see the minister.”
“Impossible. He will not see you.”
Akitada stared at the man for a moment, then turned to the servant at the door. “Please announce me, Kunyoshi.
The servant smiled broadly. “Welcome back, sir,” he said, forgetting to bow in his excitement. “We’ve missed you, sir. It hasn’t been the same.” He shot a glance toward Sakanoue. “Oh, this is a very lucky day!”
Sakanoue snapped, “You forget yourself, Kunyoshi!”
The servant’s simple joy moved Akitada greatly after his humbling reception. “It’s very good to see you also, Kunyoshi,” he said. “Do you suppose the minister will see me?”
“Oh, yes. Just a moment.”
Kunyoshi opened the door and put his head inside. “Your Excellency, Lord Sugawara is here.” Then he threw it wide.
Akitada walked in. Kaneie was at his desk, looking startled.
Sakanoue pushed past Akitada. “I protest, Excellency. I told Lord Sugawara you were busy, but this stupid man defied me and let him in anyway.”
Kaneie’s face took on an expression of distaste. “I’ll take care of it, Sakanoue. Go away.”
Sakanoue bowed, gave Akitada a hard look, and walked out.
“Can’t stand that weasel,” muttered Kaneie. “Sit down, Akitada.”
Akitada sat. “Has he taken my position?” he asked as calmly as he could manage.
“Not my doing.” Kaneie gave Akitada a searching look. “How are you?”
“As well as can be expected. Thank you for your letter. I’m afraid I haven’t answered it. Please accept my apologies. Things have been … difficult.”
“I can see you’ve been ill. Terrible climate in Kyushu.”
Akitada did not know what to make of this. “Umm, it wasn’t too bad, as I recall. I left before the summer heat.”
Kaneie frowned. “Problems at home?”
“Yes. I’m just beginning to get matters in order.” He reflected that this could not well be achieved unless he had some income. And the fact that Sakanoue now occupied his position did not promise well. “It was my plan to speak to report to Central Affairs to apologize for leaving my post so suddenly.”
Kaneie looked uneasy. “Forgive me, but why did you leave so suddenly? There have been questions.”
“But … surely you knew? The assistant governor general in Kyushu had my letter of resignation and must have reported. I left because my wife died.” He swallowed. Saying it was still very hard. My wife died. Three words that could not possibly encompass what the loss had meant, still meant. He added weakly, “My children are still small.”
Kaneie’s eyes widened. “Yes, but … surely the other ladies … it’s none of my business, but I think it has caused some raised eyebrows among our superiors.”
For a moment, Akitada did not understand. What other ladies? Then he realized for the first time that most men in his position could not conceive of a man having only one wife and a household too small to cope with her loss. He said quietly, “Tamako was my only wife. There was no one else. I needed to return to take care of my children.” Anger rose again, as it had in Kyushu. He said more sharply, “It seems to me that I did the country a significant service by clearing up the murder of my predecessor in Kyushu. I arrested several individuals who had plotted against the nation and could have involved us in a war with China. The least the chancellor and the senior minister could do was to allow me some time to mourn my wife and look after my children.” He found he was so upset that his hands were shaking and got to his feet. “Thank you for warning me. I see that I have a battle on my hands.”