Akitada sighed. “Because he’s Sakae and he hates Nakatoshi. Who has the letter now?”
“I do. The court is not in session, so I kept all the evidence.”
“What evidence? The letter is all you have, isn’t it?”
“Just about. Except for Sakae’s signed statement that he heard Nakatoshi make critical remarks about the government.”
Akitada gave a snort. “Of course. Let me see the letter, please.”
Kosehira got a locked box, fished a key from his sash and opened it. “You don’t think Nakatoshi wrote this?” he asked uneasily, extending a folded piece of the kind of paper used for government documents. “I tell you, I saw him hide it with my own eyes. He got very red in the face when he saw me looking at him.”
Akitada scanned the fairly long document and studied the signature at the end. “I don’t doubt that you saw him hide something,” he said. “But this is not in Nakatoshi’s handwriting.”
“What? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Nakatoshi writes an excellent hand. This looks strained, too careful. As if someone had been trying very hard to be neat. An interesting allusion to the Chinese rebel Chang Lu-not many people know his story- but otherwise this is not particularly well written. Nakatoshi expresses himself much better. Has he seen this?”
“No. I thought it best to get rid of him quickly. I must say, he looked upset.”
“I can imagine.” Akitada rose. “I’d better go see him now, if I may. He must be frantic.”
Akitada did not know whether to be furious at Sakae for his vicious plot to oust Nakatoshi or to be glad that he finally had a way to rid the ministry of the troublemaker. He had enough other problems, but in his present state he welcomed anything that would take his mind off the black misery which lay in wait and pounced the moment he allowed himself to think.
Kobe greeted Akitada with a jocular, “Back already? You look more yourself with that frown on your face.”
Akitada still felt guilty about the memorial and returned the smile uncertainly. “Yes, I’m troubling you again. This time it’s about my clerk, that is, a clerk at the ministry. His name is Nakatoshi. I just heard that he was arrested.”
Kobe nodded. “On a charge of treason.”
“I believe he was framed by a colleague.”
“Oh come! Surely not again.”
The similarity to Haseo’s case had not struck Akitada, who instantly felt stupid for not having realized it. He said, “I cannot help it. It’s a different case and a different motive.”
Kobe raised his brows. “Right after solving one case, you’ve already solved another?” He still smiled.
Akitada flushed. “This was not very hard, a mere malicious child’s trick. I’ve been expecting something of the sort all along. I thought I would come and reassure Nakatoshi.”
As they walked toward the cells, Kobe said, “You didn’t ask, but your prisoner in the other case has made a full confession. It didn’t take any persuasion. We had him looked at by our physician, who found a badly broken wrist in addition to the broken leg. He will probably lose the hand and was so demoralized that he talked. His hatred for his half-brother was something to hear.”
Akitada grimaced. “I can well imagine. What about Yasugi? Did he implicate him?”
“No. He pretended not to understand our questions. Sorry. At least you have the satisfaction that Yasugi didn’t profit in the end. He lost his wife and will lose the land.”
Akitada nodded. “What is likely to happen to Matsue?”
Kobe gestured to a guard to unlock a cell door. “Oh, exile and hard labor, I should think. Like his brother.”
“Good!”
Nakatoshi started up when they walked in. He looked terrified. When he saw Akitada, he burst into tears. “I didn’t write it, sir. I swear. I’m innocent.” To Akitada’s embarrassment, he fell to his knees and knocked his head on the dirt floor.
“I know, Nakatoshi. Get up. I’ll have you out of here shortly.”
Nakatoshi staggered to his feet and wiped his eyes, leaving smudges on his face and sleeves.
“Tell me,” Akitada asked, “how was it that Lord Fujiwara saw you hiding the letter?”
Nakatoshi sighed. “I found it among my papers. When I saw Lord Fujiwara watching me, I panicked.”
“Ah. And how did it get among your papers?”
“I don’t know. I’d never seen it before. I thought maybe it had fallen out of another batch of documents. But then I saw my signature.”
“Could Sakae have put it among your papers?”
Nakatoshi looked embarrassed. “I wondered about that. He doesn’t like me.”
“Yes.” Akitada put his hand on Nakatoshi’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll clear up the matter and have you out of here shortly.”
In the corridor outside, Kobe asked, “This Sakae is the real culprit?”
“Oh, yes. Proving it is another matter. I cannot very well resort to torture.”
Kobe glowered. “I don’t particularly enjoy that part of my work, you know.”
Akitada stopped. He had to try to mend matters between them. “Forgive me. To my deep regret, I always manage to do or say things to offend you. Believe me, I have the greatest respect for you and your work. During this time of crisis, I could do nothing but complain while you’ve saved hundreds, perhaps thousands, from death by riot and starvation. I’m very sorry I’ve offended you.” He touched Kobe’s arm. “I hope you can forgive me and we can be friends again.”
Kobe cleared his throat. He said gruffly. “Yes, of course. I shouldn’t have got so angry. And you’re making too much of me. When there’s a need, we both do what we can, even if it’s thankless. But that reminds me.” He dashed off, leaving Akitada standing in the courtyard, wondering if he had embarrassed Kobe into flight. But the superintendent returned in a moment, carrying a sword.
“You found my sword,” said Akitada, taking the Sugawara blade from Kobe’s hands. “That was very good of you.”
“It belongs to your family.” Kobe looked embarrassed. “I wish I knew what to say about your son. I lost two little ones myself a few years ago. One doesn’t forget, but perhaps there will be more sons for you, and daughters, too. Someone to live for. To save the sword for.”
“Yes,” said Akitada bleakly, and pushed the sword into his sash. “No doubt, you’re right. But for now I’d better see about catching Sakae.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Tora tied up both horses at the temple gate. The young monk gatekeeper greeted him eagerly; visitors were rare in this small temple. When Tora asked if the temple conducted a school, the young monk brightened even more. “Indeed we do, sir. Perhaps you would like to see for yourself? Our learned Master Genku is instructing the boys in the lecture hall.”
Tora followed his directions to a small wooden building. Its sliding doors had been thrown open on this warm summer day. From within came the sound of young voices chanting in unison. Tora stepped up to the narrow veranda and sat down, instantly attracting the attention of the pupils inside. The elderly monk who presided over the small class ignored the visitor.
Tora easily picked out Haseo’s son. The boy was the only one the right age, and he had a certain bearing. In a way he reminded Tora of Kinjiro. Kinjiro was two years older but was smaller-boned than this boy, and both had the same fierce look in their faces-as if they were engaged in a battle against the world. This boy had tensed under Tora’s scrutiny. When Tora tried a reassuring smile and nod, the youngster scrambled to his feet in a panic.
“Sit down, Nobunari,” the schoolmaster called out sharply.
