The Samurai’s Wife by Laura Joh Rowland

Author:Laura Joh Rowland [Rowland, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: detective

18

Well, Sōsakan-sama, I am most surprised and glad to see you alive,” said Shoshidai Matsudaira. “And Honorable Chamberlain Yanagisawa, it is certainly a privilege to welcome you to Miyako.”

After their confrontation in Yanagisawa’s hideout in the hills, Sano had told the chamberlain how they would make their deal official. While Yanagisawa dressed, Sano had untied the three guards; then the five of them had ridden into Miyako together. Now they were seated in the reception room of the shoshidai’s mansion. Mastsudaira, kneeling on the dais, looked confused by the simultaneous appearance of Sano, whom he’d believed dead, and Yanagisawa, his cousin the shogun’s exalted second-in-command.

“In the confusion of last night’s events at the Imperial Palace, mistakes were made.” Sano spoke from his place below the dais to the shoshidai’s left. “It was actually one of my retainers who died, not myself.” This was the story that Sano had concocted to explain the murder of Aisu. “I shall now do everything possible to resolve any problems created by the erroneous report of my death.”

“Very well.” The shoshidai sounded unconvinced, but as Sano had anticipated, he was too timid to raise questions.

Yanagisawa sat at the shoshidai’s right, with his three bodyguards behind him. Clad in rich silk robes, he looked his usual self, although his complexion still had a sickly gray pallor. “I’ve been traveling through Omi Province on business for the shogun. Since that business is finished, I have decided to lend my assistance to the sōsakan-sama’s investigation into the murders at the Imperial Palace.”

“That is very generous of you.” The shoshidai smiled, obviously deceived by Yanagisawa’s genial manner.

But Sano had perceived the resentful undertone in Yanagisawa’s voice, and knew how humiliating it was for the chamberlain to bow to blackmail. “Yes, his help will constitute a major improvement.” Over his sabotage, Sano thought, glancing at Yanagisawa, who shot him a covert, venomous look.

“My troops, clerks, and other staff are at your service,” said the shoshidai.

“Since I’m traveling with a very small retinue,” Yanagisawa said, “that is much appreciated.”

Sano knew he would have to keep a close watch in case Yanagisawa recruited new henchmen to work against him.

“I wish that Yoriki Hoshina, my senior police commander, were here,” the shoshidai said. “He’s a most capable detective who has been assisting the sōsakan-sama. But Hoshina-san seems to have disappeared.”

“A pity,” said Yanagisawa.

Subtle menace shaded the chamberlain’s voice. Sano hoped he could keep Hoshina hidden long enough to finish the case. However, that would still leave the problem of what to do with Hoshina afterward. He couldn’t protect the yoriki from Yanagisawa’s wrath indefinitely.

“Of course you’ll be needing a place to live while in Miyako,” the shoshidai said to Yanagisawa. “I regret that Nijō Castle is undergoing a major renovation at the moment, but you can stay at Nijō Manor with the sōsakan-sama.”

“The renovation is suspended as of now,” Yanagisawa said, and Sano knew how much he wanted to avoid sharing the same roof. “I’ll move into Nijō Castle at once.”

“Well, all right.”

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