The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria by Laura Joh Rowland Read Free Book Online Page B

emaciated body, and his bony skull showed through the tight skin of his face; a black kimono accentuated his deathlike pallor. His retainers, who doubled as secretaries and bodyguards, sat grouped around him.
    “I suppose you’ve come to question me in connection with Lord Mitsuyoshi’s murder,” Makino said.
    “If you’re willing.” Sano replied cautiously, because Makino was no friend of his. The powerful senior elder had once accused Sano of treason, thereby almost ruining him.
    “I might be willing to provide information to you,” said Makino, “under certain conditions. Shall we drink?”
    He gestured to a maid, who poured sake for him and Sano. They drained their cups, and Sano felt the heated liquor flush warmth through him. “What conditions?” he said. Survival in the bakufu required give-and-take, but Sano was wary of the terms Makino might offer.
    “The other party guests can confirm that I was with them at the time of the murder.” Makino inhaled on his tobacco pipe, and blew smoke through his brown teeth. “So can the staff of the Owariya. Hence, I couldn’t have killed Mitsuyoshi. You’ll find no evidence that I was in any way involved in his death.”
    Suspending judgment, Sano kept his expression neutral.
    “I’m prepared to furnish evidence that might otherwise take you quite some time to find.” Makino gave an ugly grimace that passed for a smile. “And time is critical, is it not?”
    It was indeed. “In exchange for what?” Sano said.
    “For keeping me out of your investigation.”
    The senior elder spoke calmly, but the sinews of his neck tightened like leather cords: He knew Sano could name him as a murder suspect and ruin him because he’d happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. For a moment Sano was tempted to take revenge for all the trouble Makino had caused him, but the impulse quickly passed. To use a murder investigation to further selfish interests would compromise his honor, and he was just as vulnerable to attack as Makino. Should he begin a campaign to advance himself at the expense of his enemies, the resulting bloodbath would probably destroy him. Besides, he needed all the information he could get.
    “Very well,” Sano said, “but if I find out that you are involved in the murder, our agreement is terminated.”
    Makino’s hollow eyes contemplated Sano with disdain, but his relief was palpable. He signaled the maid to pour another round of sake. After he and Sano drank, Makino said, “There are three guests from the party whom you won’t find in Yoshiwara.”
    “Who would they be?” Sano asked.
    “The Honorable Treasury Minister, Nitta Monzaemon. And his two top retainers.”
    The treasury minister was the official charged with overseeing the collection of taxes on commerce, revenue from the landed estates of the daimyo—feudal lords who ruled Japan’s provinces—and other monetary tributes paid to the Tokugawa. This was an important post and its incumbent one of the shogun’s most trusted, powerful vassals.
    “Where has Nitta- san gone?” Sano said, as he found himself facing the perils of an investigation that extended upward to the high levels of the bakufu .
    “I’ve no idea, but he left the quarter with his men during the party.” Makino grimaced, clearly perceiving and relishing Sano’s discomposure.
    “Why did he leave?”
    “He was not in a festive mood.” Inhaling on his pipe, Makino seemed ready to make Sano probe for every fact.
    “Why not?” Sano asked patiently.
    “Because of Lady Wisteria. He’s her patron, and quite enamored of her.” Makino shook his head, scorning anyone unwise enough to fall in love with a prostitute. “He is her sole client, now that Lord Mitsuyoshi is gone. She’s very selective.”
    By custom, a taju could pick and choose her clients, and her high price compensated for their small number.
    “Nitta is so jealous that he reserves her services for every night. He pays her fee, whether he