The Fire Kimono(45)
“That’s horse dung,” Egen scoffed.
“Here’s your chance to contradict Doi,” Sano said. “When was the last time you saw Tadatoshi?”
“The morning the Great Fire started. In the house. After breakfast. I gave him his history lesson,” Egen said promptly.
“It was a lifetime ago, and you remember such small details?” Hirata interjected.
“Because of the fire,” Egen said. “When something as big as that happens, you do tend to remember things you’d have forgotten otherwise.”
“All right,” Sano said, willing to accept Egen’s story for now. The man was well spoken and confident. “What did you do after you saw Tadatoshi?”
“Helped fireproof the house. A lot of good that did—it burned down anyway. Then I went looking for Tadatoshi. Nine days after the fire was over, I met up with what was left of the household and found out he still hadn’t turned up.”
“You didn’t happen to run into him?”
“No. I already told you. Not after his lesson.”
“Was there anybody around to vouch for what you say you did during the fire?” Sano asked.
“The retainers and servants, while I was working on the house. Afterward, when we were all sent out to look for him, I got separated from the others. So, no, I guess not.” Egen’s expression turned wary. “Hey, what are you trying to do? Save your mother by pinning the murder on me?”
“No,” Sano hastened to assure him. “I just need a witness to show that Colonel Doi lied.”
Egen grinned. “You found one. I didn’t kidnap Tadatoshi or kill him, and your mother and I didn’t conspire to do anything at all.”
“Good.” Relieved that the investigation was nearing a satisfactory end, Sano said, “I need you to tell that to Lord Matsudaira and the shogun.”
“Come on, let’s go,” Hirata said.
“Lord Matsudaira and the shogun?” Egen held up his hands and waggled them. “Hey, wait, no. I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” Sano said, impatient.
“I don’t want to get caught in the middle of any trouble.” Consternation clouded Egen’s face as he backed away from Sano.
“You won’t.”
“I sure will if Lord Matsudaira doesn’t like what I say.”
“If you testify, I’ll protect you,” Sano said.
“Hah!”
Fukida said to Sano, “Do you want me to tie him up?”
“Not yet.” If that proved to be necessary, Sano wouldn’t balk, but Egen would make a more credible witness if he testified willingly. Sano tried to reason with him. “You’ll get in trouble if you don’t testify.”
“Oh?” Egen said, suspicious. “How’s that?”
“Colonel Doi accused you as well as my mother,” Sano said. “If the shogun decides she’s guilty of kidnapping and killing his cousin, he won’t stop at punishing her. He’ll come after you next.”
“You’ll be executed,” Fukida said.
“Your ugly head will be stuck on a post by the Nihonbashi Bridge,” Marume said.
Egen staggered with fear. “What am I going to do?” he beseeched Sano.
“If you want to stay alive, then testify,” Sano said. “Your story and my mother’s will refute Colonel Doi’s. It’ll be two against one.”
“I don’t know,” Egen stalled.
“It’s your best chance,” Sano said.
Egen thought for a long moment while Fukida and Marume stood ready to seize him. Then he said with a grudging sigh, “Oh, all right.”
Reiko was surprised to see that her mother-in-law had made a miraculous recovery.
Etsuko had felt well enough to rise from her bed this morning, wash and dress herself, and eat breakfast. Now she strolled with Reiko and Akiko through the garden. The air was cool and humid. Clouds had blown down from the hills, threatening rain. Akiko toddled beside Etsuko and clung to her hand. Reiko walked on Etsuko’s other side. She was hurt because Akiko had refused to hold hands with her and wanted Grandma between them. That did not improve Reiko’s feelings toward her mother-in-law, an interloper as well as a suspect in a murder case that threatened her family.
Akiko paused to examine a rock. Etsuko smiled as she chatted with the little girl. Reiko could guess the reason for her restored health.
“I suppose my husband told you what he learned yesterday?” Reiko said.
“Yes.” Etsuko’s face had relaxed into her usual serene contentment. “He said that Lady Ateki and Oigimi spoke well of me. Things are not as bad as before.”