The Devil's Flute Murders by Seishi Yokomizo

Author:Seishi Yokomizo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steerforth Press
Published: 2023-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Myokai, the Nun

It was after nine that evening when Detective Degawa finally returned to the inn. As zealous as he was, between the previous day’s journey and his hard work since that morning, Kosuke Kindaichi could see he was exhausted.

“You’ve been working so hard! You must be worn out.”

Kindaichi could not very well go to bed before the detective returned, so he had sat up chatting with the okami. When he saw Degawa’s drawn face, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

“You can say that again,” Degawa groaned. “It really is tough to get around when you don’t know the lie of the land.”

“That’s certainly true. You gents certainly are working hard, I see,” the okami said kindly. “Will you be needing any dinner, then?”

“No, thanks, I already ate.”

“Well then, why don’t I run a bath for you, then perhaps a drink before you turn en?”

“You don’t mind? I’d appreciate that, thank you.”

While the detective soaked in the tub, the okami had a maid prepare him some sake as a nightcap. Okami-san seemed the type of woman who enjoyed having someone to look after, and now that they’d got in her good graces, she was eager to reward the young man for all his hard work.

“That was a great bath, thank you. I finally feel myself again.” Degawa, face aglow, was apparently back to his normal high spirits.

“Sounds like you’re ready for that drink. And a bite to eat won’t hurt. Go on, Okami-san insists,” Kindaichi prompted him.

“Well, if she insists. I thank you for your gracious hospitality, Okami-san!”

“Oh, now, enough of that, like. Course, this bream came direct from a fishing boat out to Akashi. I had the man bring it special, like.”

Kindaichi turned to her as soon as he heard the words “fishing boat” and “Akashi”. He started to speak, but immediately thought better of it.

“Anyway, Degawa-san, it seems you put in a lot of work out there. Did you learn anything?”

“Oh, well, let’s see. I kept running into leads that seemed promising but ended up falling through. But, as it’s just the first day, I suppose I’d call it a success.”

“Ah. Ef you’re talking about your work, I reckon I’ll excuse myself, like.” Okami-san started to shift her great body to rise, but Kindaichi hurried to stop her.

“No, no, please stay right here, Okami-san. I’m sure we’ll have need of your wisdom. Well, Degawa-san? She can stay, can’t she?”

“I suppose so. We still don’t know our way around these parts at all. And I have to admit, I’d prefer not to ask too much of the local police. I think you could be a big help, Okami-san.”

She seemed happy with the attention. She settled her heavy hips back down and said, “Well, if I can be of any help at all, course, I suppose I can stay. But I won’t go sharing anything what I shouldn’t, like. So then, did you find whatever happened to old Uetatsu-san?”

“I did. About that…”

Kindaichi himself was not a big drinker, but Degawa clearly was, and he gladly held out his cup for Okami-san to refill.

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