EQMM 2010-02 by Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine

Author:Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine [Magazine, Ellery Queen’s Mystery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

6.

Her headache was no better in the morning. In fact, it was worse. She felt as if the inside of her skull was being hammered with a mallet. She replaced the rice she had hardly touched in the rice cooker and put the side dishes she had not eaten into the refrigerator.

Natsuki was washing dishes at the sink without a word. As the instant water heater was broken, her hands must be numb with cold, but she continued to use the sponge and detergent without complaint. When she finished washing up, Natsuki left the kitchen. Retrieving the morning paper from the mailbox, she opened it up at the dining table.

Keiko snatched the newspaper from her.

Natsuki looked up, her eyes wide.

“I’m off today.”

“Sleep in tomorrow,” last night her boss had said shortly, having peered at her face. She felt humiliated. He must have been truly concerned for her health, but for Keiko it was as if she had heard him say, “You’re not up to dealing with this murder case.”

“I’m off today. I’ll be home all day.”

Natsuki didn’t reply. She just nodded.

The message “Why do you like burglars who target homes when no one is there?” had changed to “Which is more important — a petty thief or your daughter?” in the picture postcard she found in the mailbox last night. Natsuki still couldn’t forgive her mother’s late homecomings.

“Natsuki, I first want to say, write your number nine clearly with the circle. The way it looks, you’re bothering Auntie Fusano.”

On all of the postcards Natsuki had sent, the 9s looked like 7s. That meant that it wasn’t just the second postcard but the first and third ones as well that had been misdelivered to Fusano’s address. So the old woman had brought over all three cards.

“Understand?”

Natsuki didn’t say anything.

“Stop the silent treatment and start talking, why don’t you?” Keiko ripped the edge of the newspaper in irritation. “Also, this is important, so listen carefully. For the time being, from tonight, you’ll go to your grandfather’s to stay. You’ll go to school from there. Don’t worry. It’s just a precaution.”

“I may be released as early as tomorrow.” If Yokozaki’s words were true, he could be released today.

But she wasn’t about to swallow his bluff whole. After she had left the visiting room, she had gone to the burglary section and inquired of the chief detective in charge of the investigation whether Yokozaki would be released immediately. When she heard that it wasn’t the case, rather than feel relieved, she was bewildered by Yokozaki’s stupidity. What meaning did a lie that would be so easily discovered have? If all he could muster was an empty threat like that, he must in fact be the burglar who had stolen money from Fusano’s house. That would make certain his re-incarceration. Then she wouldn’t have to move.

Yes. This was just a precaution.

“All right? Your answer?”

At that, Natsuki pulled an advertising flyer toward her and wrote “Okay” on the back.

Keiko boiled over with rage. “Speak to me

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