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

said. “My father wasn’t stabbed.”
    Mina turned to Father Mateo. “Do the facts support Ginjiro’s innocence?”
    “We need time to investigate,” the Jesuit said. “We need your help to delay Ginjiro’s trial.”
    “You are not d ō shin ,” Mina said.
    Father Mateo nodded. “True, but we are men who care about justice, and also mercy.”
    Hiro struggled to hide his frustration. Overblown statements of moral purpose rarely persuaded anyone, especially people who had to work for a living.
    To his surprise, Mina asked, “How much time do you need?”
    Kaoru threw his hands in the air. “This is pointless. Ginjiro killed my father!”
    “Did the police recover the money Chikao took with him to pay the debt?” Mina asked.
    “Of course not,” Kaoru said. “Ginjiro took it.”
    “Someone took it,” Mina said. “We need to get it back, to pay the debt.”
    Kaoru opened his mouth to object but his mother continued, “We owe Ginjiro money, and this murder does not change that fact.”
    “It does if Ginjiro did it!” Kaoru glared at Mina. “My debt was nothing compared with the value of my father’s life.”
    Mina returned the glare with an even look. “A man who does not pay his debts will never join the brewers’ guild. You know this.”
    “Don’t you already belong to the guild?” Father Mateo asked.
    “Not yet,” Mina said, “our shop remains unlicensed. We petitioned for admission, but the za has not yet ruled on our application. We hoped Ginjiro would plead our cause—he did agree to help us—but that was before our son ran up a bill and did not pay.”
    “That’s not the truth,” Kaoru said. “Ginjiro inflated the bill in order to bribe us for his support.”
    “Forgive my son for his lack of tact.” Mina shook her head at Kaoru. “His anger will not bring his father back, or find the murderer.
    “I wish to know the truth about my husband’s death. I will ask the magistrate to give you four more days to find the killer.”

 
    Chapter 11
    Father Mateo looked confused. “Four days? Why only four?”
    “After seven days of mourning we commit my husband’s body to the flames,” Mina said. “At that time, his spirit has to face the Heavenly Judges. If we know his killer’s name by then, our prayers can intercede on his behalf. Four days for you leaves three for the magistrate to find the answer if you fail.”
    Kaoru frowned. “I will not carry that petition to the magistrate for you.”
    “I hadn’t planned to ask you,” Mina said. “Ren’s word will carry greater weight than yours.”
    She shifted her gaze to Hiro. “I will ask the neighbor’s son to carry a message to Ren this morning. Ren will take my request to the magistrate.”
    “Speaking of Ren,” Hiro said. “Where can we find him?”
    “He went home,” Mina said, “to change into mourning garments. After that, he intended to speak with the coffin maker.”
    Mina cast a sidelong glance at Kaoru. “Ren offered to make the arrangements since my son was … indisposed. I only hope we can afford a reasonable coffin, since the moneylenders will not give a loan.”
    Again, she looked at Kaoru, and an awkward silence followed.
    “Could you tell us where Ren lives?” the Jesuit asked. “We’d like to find him.”
    Mina nodded. “He rents a place on Shij ō Road, three buildings west of the apothecary. His room is fourth from the street, as you count the doors.”
    “Thank you,” Hiro said.
    “Did Ren work last night?” the priest continued. “Did he leave the shop at any point?”
    So much for not revealing our suspicions, Hiro thought.
    “He worked all night, as did Chikao,” Mina said. “My husband left to see Ginjiro in the early evening hours. He returned with a bruise on one eye and fear in both. Ginjiro struck him, and threatened worse, if we didn’t make an immediate payment toward Kaoru’s debt.”
    Hiro looked at Kaoru. “Where were you last night?”
    “Me?” the young man asked.