But Jirokichi knew that the truth would mean certain death. A lie had to be good, and even then they would probably kill him eventually – after lots of torment. He pretended to faint again.
Immediately, blows rained down on him, into his belly, face, groin, and back. He shrieked again and again. Hot pain exploded everywhere in his body, and he passed out for good.
THE BLIND BEGGAR
Before Tora left on his new assignment, he lectured Hanae about watching the baby and not wandering about town alone. He was so firm about this that Hanae got frightened.
‘What have you done now?’ she demanded, her eyes flashing. ‘You and your master are getting to be more and more alike. You care for nothing but your work. I cannot imagine what makes foolish women agree to marry men like you.’
This caused a delay, as Tora had to reassure his wife he had done nothing and that she and Yuki were the treasures of his life. He was afraid to tell her what Lady Aoi had said. Hanae forgave him eventually, sealing his pardon with a kiss that he took such pleasure in returning that one thing led to another.
When Tora finally set out, it was nearly the hour of the midday rice. He walked quickly to the Western Market. He meant to visit the Fragrant Peach again. With luck, he would find Tojiro with his girlfriend; if not, the young waitress could be made to talk.
He skirted Hoshina’s place at the market corner and was about to pass through the market gate into Nishi- Horikawa Avenue when he heard a female voice shouting his name. He turned his head, and there was Hoshina herself, galloping after him. She cried, ‘Wait, Tora. Please!’
Please? Her eagerness astonished him. He waited. She came to a halt before him and caught her breath.
‘It’s Jirokichi,’ she gasped. ‘He didn’t come home last night.’
Tora raised his brows. ‘So?’ He was still resentful about the tricks she had played on him. ‘Is he your husband, then? And has he run off with another woman?’
She flushed. ‘Shut up. It’s serious.’ She glanced around, but they were alone for the moment. ‘He went out on a job last night,’ she said in a low voice, ‘and didn’t come back.’
Tora snorted. ‘In his business, that probably means he got caught. Check the jails.’
Hoshina burst into tears. ‘I did, and he isn’t there. I think those bastards got hold of him again. I think he’s lying somewhere, bleeding to death. Oh please, Tora, help us. Find him. I’ll do anything. I can pay you.’
Tora’s eyes narrowed. She wasn’t trying to seduce him this time. She looked really desperate. But the old anger at Jirokichi welled up again. ‘I don’t want your money,’ he said coldly and shook off her hand.
She grasped him again, this time with both hands. ‘What do you want?’
‘Information. And I bet he’s just late getting home. Maybe he’s been celebrating with whatever he stole.’
‘No, he always comes home directly. Always. He knows I wait up.’ Her voice got shrill, and a couple of women, passing with their shopping baskets, gave them sharp looks. Hoshina pulled Tora back towards her place. ‘We can’t talk here. If you’ll come with me, I’ll tell you about the fires.’
Tora stopped resisting. He did not trust her, but could not pass up this chance. It would be a fine thing, if Superintendent Kobe could be made to eat his words.
In Hoshina’s wine shop, a couple of men were waiting to be served, but Hoshina snapped, ‘Go away! I’m closed,’ and pushed them out the door, locking up behind them.
‘What about your business?’ Tora asked, astonished.
‘Never mind the business. This is more important. Are you going to find Jirokichi?’
Tora shook his head. ‘If I recall, I asked you where he was hiding last time we talked, and you wouldn’t tell me. If you don’t know where he is, how am I going to look for him?’
She ignored that. ‘You want to know about the fires. He didn’t want to tell you about that because he liked you.’ She snorted. ‘He’s a fool, but I want him back.’
Tora tried to puzzle that out and failed. ‘What about the fires?’
‘Someone’s been setting them.’
‘I know that already.’ Tora made for the door.
‘Wait. Jirokichi’s really frightened about those fires. I think he may have found out something and…’ She wailed, ‘Maybe they killed him because he knows who’s behind it.’
‘Oh, stop crying,’ Tora said. ‘You don’t know that. It could be something else altogether. Where did he go last night?’
She sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. ‘He never says exactly, but he thought there’d be a lot of gold at this place. He needed the gold because of what he gave you.’ She shot him an accusing look. ‘And he got no thanks for it.’
‘I don’t want his damned gold. He’ll get it back. I got angry because he snuck into my house at night and…’ Tora tried to explain and failed. ‘Well… it’s the way he did it. Besides, I can’t take gold for helping some poor bastard who’s getting beaten up by hoodlums. It wouldn’t be right.’
She was astonished. ‘What do you mean, “It’s the way he did it”?’
Tora blushed. ‘He was in my place at night while me and my wife… I mean, anyone would be furious if strangers wandered around their house at any hour of the night.’
She stared at him, then burst into hysterical laughter. ‘You thought he was spying on you and your wife making love?’ she gasped. ‘Wait till he hears! Oh.’ She stopped laughing and put her hand over her mouth. Her face crumpled again.
Tora said, ‘Maybe he got caught and someone decided to teach him a lesson for snooping.’
She wailed, ‘That’s what I’m afraid of. Only, it must’ve been about the fires.’
‘Oh, I didn’t mean anything serious. He could be dragging home with a black eye any moment. Aw, for the gods’ sake, Hoshina. Tell me where he went, and I’ll go take a look.’
She stopped wailing. ‘Some rich man’s house in the Fifth Ward. I don’t know his name.’
‘A merchant? What sort of business?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘He must’ve said something. What about the house? Did he describe it?’
‘No. But he was afraid of rain because steep roofs get slippery then. It didn’t rain last night. Do you think he’s gone and broken his neck?’
‘My guess would be that he’s good at his job, so don’t worry. I’ll see if I can find him. Now, maybe you can tell me something else. I’m looking for a young monk. His name’s Kansei. He may be with the same crowd that got hold of Jirokichi the first time. Did Jirokichi mention a monk?’
She shook her head. ‘What would a monk be doing with those bastards?’
Tora sighed. Maybe Tojiro’s girlfriend would know something. ‘You ever hear of three deaf mutes? Middle- aged and mean-looking?’
She nodded. ‘They’re collectors.’
Tora was pleased. Collectors worked for armed men who sold protection against thieves and robbers to merchants, but such a business was often run by the criminals themselves. The dying Kaneharu had talked of his father paying, but his neighbor had blamed the fire on the old man being a miser.
‘You mean someone’s running a protection racket?’
‘They collect anything owed: rent, loans, and service. It’s a way to make a living.’
‘But they also collect for protection? Who’s behind that?’
‘An ex-soldier and his men. They keep watch over the market and some businesses that had trouble with vandals and thieves.’
‘Would they be setting the fires?’
She shook her head. ‘No. Jirokichi isn’t afraid of them. He’s afraid of someone else. Now please go. Maybe Jirokichi can tell you more when you find him.’
What Tora had learned was interesting, if not very helpful, but he retraced his steps, returning to the eastern
