The Assassin's Touch by Laura Joh Rowland

Author:Laura Joh Rowland
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Police, Assassination, Fiction, Public officers, Crime & mystery, Crime & Thriller, Ichirō (Fictitious character), Mystery And Suspense Fiction, Police - Japan - Tokyo, Mystery fiction, Historical fiction, 1688-1704, Mystery, Historical - General, Mystery & Detective - General, Laura Joh Rowland, Ichiro (Fictitious character), Historical, Sano, Mystery & Detective - Historical, Detective, Japan - History - Genroku period, Mystery & Detective, Fiction - Mystery, General, Suspense, Japan, Public officers - Crimes against
ISBN: 9780312992095
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2006-10-31T22:24:12.421000+00:00

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20

I told you that a killer was stalking the newly appointed officials,” Lord Matsudaira said when Sano reported the news of Colonel Ibe’s death. He leveled a triumphant glance at the shogun and Yoritomo seated on the dais above him, and the two elders kneeling nearby. “Do you believe me now?”

“Yes. You were right,” Ihara conceded. Displeasure wrinkled his simian features.

Kato nodded with reluctance that his mask-like face couldn’t hide. Sano, seated beside Hirata on the floor near the shogun’s right, observed the dismayed glance that passed between the two elders: They were worried because the latest murder had given more credence to Lord Matsudaira’s theory that there was a plot against his regime.

Lord Matsudaira glared at Sano. “You were supposed to catch the killer.” His eyes flicked toward the elders, hinting that Sano should have implicated them in the plot. “But instead you tell me that the killer has struck again. How dare you let me down after I put my faith in you?”

“A thousand pardons, my lord.” Sano was mortified, but he accepted the censure in the stoic manner that a samurai should. “There’s no excuse.”

The elders looked gratified by his disgrace and glad that he, not they, had become the target of Lord Matsudaira’s wrath. Hirata and Yoritomo looked worried.

“I, ahh, beg to differ,” the shogun said with the same contrariness he’d previously shown toward Lord Matsudaira. “Sano-san certainly does have an, ahh, legitimate excuse. It was only, ahh, the day before yesterday that he began investigating the murders. You shouldn’t be so impatient for results, Cousin.”

Sano thought how ironic it was that the shogun, who’d always expected instant results from him, should now defend him. The shogun was clearly put out by Lord Matsudaira’s control over him and seizing at opportunities to resist it. Maybe Yoritomo had been prodding him to stick up for Sano.

“His Excellency is right,” Lord Matsudaira said, hiding annoyance and feigning contrition. “Forgive me, Chamberlain Sano. This latest murder isn’t your fault.” His dark glance at the elders proclaimed whose fault he thought it was. “Tell us what progress you’ve made toward catching the killer.”

“I’ve identified a suspect,” Sano said.

Lord Matsudaira leaned forward. “Who is it?”

Sano watched Kato and Ihara brace themselves for an accusation against their clique. “Captain Nakai.”

Surprise showed on the faces of Lord Matsudaira, the elders, and Yoritomo. The shogun frowned as if trying to recall who Nakai was.

“But Captain Nakai…” Ihara began, then stopped.

Fought on Lord Matsudaira’s side during the faction war. How could he be the person who is trying to undermine the new regime? The unvoiced words echoed in the room.

“Why do you suspect Captain Nakai?” said Lord Matsudaira.

Sano explained that Nakai had had contact with Chief Ejima and Treasury Minister Moriwaki during the critical period before their deaths. “And he’s displeased that he hasn’t been honored for his recent performance.”

Lord Matsudaira narrowed his eyes and stroked his chin as he caught Sano’s meaning. The elders couldn’t quite hide their relief that one of his own men had been incriminated instead of them.

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