his grandfather.” A gate slammed, and she tensed.
Akitada followed her eyes andsaw that Kaibara was back. “Was there anything else on your mind?” he askedquickly.
“Yes, Excellency,” she whispered,twisting her hands in her lap. Akitada bent forward to hear her. “I am worriedabout Toneo. He’s gone.”
ELEVEN
THE MERCHANT SUNADA
Hitomaro found Genba in front of the Temple of the War God, amusing himself by taking onstreet urchins who wished to test their strength against the big wrestler. Hehad removed his bright red quilted jacket and was jumping about in shirt,knee-length pants, and wrapped legs.
“New clothes?” Hitomaro askedsourly. In his present mood, he felt neither admiration nor tolerance for Genba’sunexpected rise to fame among the local people. He regarded Genba’s occupationas a liability that interfered with his job.
Genba chuckled. “Presents frommy fans.” A new contender flung himself at him.
“Stop that and let’s go!”Hitomaro pulled Genba’s sleeve. “There’s work to be done.”
“Of course, brother.” Genbaremoved the clutching arms of a skinny youngster from his massive thigh andswung him high into the air with a shout. The lad screeched with delight, hisfellows waiting hopefully as Genba set him back on the ground. “Practice!” hetold them, waving an admonishing finger, “and eat everything your mother givesyou.”
There was a chorus of protests when he snatched up his red jacket. Hitomaro strode off down the street.
“What’s so urgent?” Genba, in spite of his bulk, caught up easily.
“We have work to do. What news do you have?”
“Not much. I think there’s not much more to be had. The judge is said to be in Sunada’s pay. That’s why his thugs act the way they do. Every time they’re in trouble, Hisamatsu dismisses the charges.”
Hitomaro nodded. “Makes sense.I spent hours at the garrison yesterday, talking to Ogai’s fellow recruits.Goto told the truth about his brother being absent without leave. The punishment is such a cruel caning that some don’t survive, so his disappearance is either involuntary or he’s deserted. I figured you could help me talk to some of the neighbors. People seem to open up to you. We need an unbiased account of that fight between Ogai and Kimura.”
Genba glanced dubiously at Hitomaro’s neat blue robe and official black cap. “You didn’t wear your old clothes.”
“Not much point in it. We’re past that charade.”
Genba gave him a startled glance but said only, “I’ll try my best to help.”
They passed through streets of modest dwellings. It was cold in spite of the sun that reflected blindingly from patches of snow that lingered on roofs and in yards where bare trees made traceries against the pale blue sky. Lines of frozen laundry hung stiffly and icicles dripped from the eaves. A skinny dog sniffed and licked the icy street where a woman had just emptied steaming kitchen slops.
But even on these side streets,business was transacted in the open air. Smoke curled from portable cookers and ovens, and tattered straw matting protected food stalls. These were of considerable interest to Genba, who stopped and peered periodically, much to the ill-concealed irritation of Hitomaro.
“Brother,” Genba finally said with a worried look at his friend’s face, “are you feeling quite well? I would’ve thought you’d be over that beating by now, but you look ill.”
Hitomaro’s “illness” had nothing to do with Boshu but he had no intention of discussing it with anyone.He glared. “Seeing you drooling into every pot since we left the Temple of theWar God would turn anyone’s stomach. Come on. We must be near that fishmonger’splace.”
They turned down a narrow,dirty backstreet. Across from them was a small wineshop. In spite of the cold weather, the owner had placed a rickety table and stools in the street. Three bare-legged laborers perched on them soaking up the feeble rays of the sun and the harsh and potent brew of the establishment.
Genba stopped. “Close enough.Let’s talk to them.”
“How do they stand this cold without shoes or leggings?” asked Hitomaro, shaking his head.
“Used to it. Also, they’re very hairy people hereabouts. Some look more like monkeys than men.” He sniffed theair. “Do you smell fried fish?”
“No time for food. We have workto do.” Hitomaro crossed the street and asked the drinkers, “Anyone here knowKimura? He’s a plasterer and lives around here.”
The three men looked at hisneat blue robe and black cap, then at each other. To a man, they shook theirheads.
Hitomaro frowned. “I don’tbelieve you. This is official business. It concerns a case before the governor.We need Kimura’s testimony.”
The hairy men stared back andshook their heads again.
Genba came and took aprecarious seat on one of the stools. He nodded to the men and called forservice. “Sit down!” he told Hitomaro. “I’m thirsty. Tagging along with you ishard on a man. Wish you were in some other business.” Turning to the three men,he added, “He’s with the tribunal, but he’s not a bad fellow when you get toknow him. Pay no attention to the official manner. I’m Genba, by the way.Wrestler by profession. I’m in the competition this year.”
They broke into excitedchatter, asking about his bouts, feeling his muscles, and offering to pay forhis wine.
“Ho, ho!” laughed Genba. “Iknew I’d like this town. Never met nicer people in my life. But this round’s onme. And if one of you knows where that delicious smell is coming from, I’ll buythe snacks, too.”
Hitomaro sat down with a heavysigh and waited while the owner carried out flasks of wine, and one of theguests disappeared around the corner, returning with a large basket filled withskewers of fried seafood.
While Hitomaro sat, arms foldedacross his chest and a pained expression on his face, Genba and the others ate,drank, exchanged simpleminded jokes and laughed uproariously at them.
Finally, when all the fish wasgone and the flasks were empty, Genba patted his belly and said, “Well, it’stoo bad, but we must be on our way. My friend here has this assignment, and athis rate, it’ll take all day and night to find this Kimura fellow.”
A brief silence ensued. Thenone of the men muttered, “That Goto’s a big liar.”
Hitomaro said quickly, “If youwant to help Kimura, tell us what you know.”
They looked at each otheragain. Then the man who had spoken asked, “How do we know we won’t get introuble?”
“Because I vouch for him,”Genba announced grandly and belched.
“Well…”
“Go ahead. Tell him,” said askinny man who had been very impressed with Genba’s muscles.
The first man said, “Kimura livesright around the corner. I was there when he and Goto’s worthless brother wereshooting dice and got into an argument. Ogai’s a lazy soldier. He picked thefight on purpose. Kimura wouldn’t raise a hand against anybody if he wasn’tforced into it. Ogai kept pushing him against the wall till Kimura pushed back.Then they got into a slugging match. Mind you, Kimura’s no slouch when he getsstarted. He got a black eye, but Ogai lost two teeth. Him”-he pointed to theskinny man-”and me, we stopped the fight and took Kimura home. We know Kimuradoesn’t hold a grudge. He told Ogai he was sorry about the teeth, but thebastard just made a fist and cursed him.”
“What do you mean, Ogai pickedthe fight on purpose?” Hitomaro asked.
“Well, the dice weren’t the realreason. It’s a family thing. Goto has a quarrel with Kimura over a piece ofland. It was Kimura’s father’s land, but the old man couldn’t pay the taxes onit for a few years. When he died, nobody bothered Kimura for the taxes, so heforgot about them. Then, one day, Goto puts up a fence and the argument
