Flask of the Drunken Master by Susan Spann Read Free Book Online Page A

apologize.” He bowed, though his voice and face revealed no remorse. “Ginjiro threatened to kill my father. You may not have heard, but others did.”
    “Tell us what happened,” Father Mateo said.
    This time, Kaoru didn’t wait for a translation. “Yesterday evening, I went with my father to buy a barrel of sake from Ginjiro. My father offered a reasonable sum, but Ginjiro tried to cheat us. He claimed I owed him money and refused to sell us anything until we paid in full.
    “My father refused to pay, so Ginjiro said he would get his money one way or another, no matter what he had to do to get it.”
    “That doesn’t sound like a serious threat,” Hiro said.
    “Did Ginjiro try to hurt you?” Father Mateo asked.
    “No,” Kaoru said, “but he wouldn’t have, with witnesses around. He waited ’til my father returned, alone, when the shops were closed.”
    “Why did your father return to Ginjiro’s?” Hiro asked.
    Kaoru scowled. “He didn’t mention his plans to me. He must have gone to pay the bill, because he feared Ginjiro.”
    “Why didn’t you go with him?” Father Mateo asked.
    “I was sleeping,” Kaoru said. “Why does a foreigner want to help a killer like Ginjiro?”
    “I don’t believe Ginjiro killed your father,” Father Mateo said. “I want to help because my faith requires me to practice mercy, and seek justice, for all men.”
    “Most interesting,” said a female voice behind them. “You don’t look like a Buddhist priest.”
    Father Mateo startled, but Hiro had heard the creak of the door and feminine footsteps in the entry.
    Both men turned.
    The woman had silver-gray hair and an unlined face that looked far younger than her voice suggested. She wore a pale kimono of creamy silk and a dove-gray obi. The hem of her dark blue inner kimono peeked above the neckline of the outer garment, emphasizing her ruddy complexion. The aftermath of tears still gave her eyes a glossy cast.
    She bowed. “I am Mina, wife of Chikao.”
    Father Mateo bowed in return. “Father Mateo Á vila de Santos.” He gestured to the shinobi. “My interpreter, Matsui Hiro.”
    Men of samurai rank didn’t normally bow to a merchant’s wife, but Hiro didn’t mind the gesture. Father Mateo’s foreign status overcame the breach of etiquette, and his courtesy might inspire cooperation.
    Mina crossed her hands and bowed again, more deeply than before.
    Hiro nodded but didn’t bow.
    “How may I assist you?” Mina asked.
    “We are deeply sorry for your loss,” Father Mateo said.
    “Thank you,” Mina said. “But a man cannot avoid his karma.”
    “Karma?” Father Mateo asked.
    “Does he know the word?” Mina addressed the question to Hiro.
    “I recognize it,” the Jesuit said. “I don’t understand why you think your husband’s karma caused his death.”
    Kaoru scowled. “It was not my father’s destiny to die in the street like a dog.”
    Mina looked at her son. “Does your disbelief change what happened?”
    Kaoru did not answer.
    Mina’s gaze returned to the priest. “Do not mistake my acceptance for lack of emotion. I deeply regret my husband’s death. I will miss him as long as I live. But, as a Buddhist, I must strive to sever worldly attachments and to accept the things I have no power to change.”
    Tears welled up in her eyes but did not spill over. “I confess, I find this obstacle more difficult than most.”
    I find it odd that you refer to your husband’s death as an “obstacle,” Hiro thought.
    “Forgive me,” Mina said. “You did not come to watch a woman mourn. How may I help you?”
    “Ginjiro’s family hired us to find your husband’s killer,” Father Mateo said.
    Kaoru sniffed. “The d ō shin already arrested the guilty man.”
    “Perhaps they did,” Mina said. “Perhaps they didn’t. Bandits rule this city after dark, and your father was carrying money to pay your debt. A thief does seem more likely than Ginjiro.”
    “Bandits carry knives,” Kaoru