Concubine's Tattoo by Laura Joh Rowland Page A

Sano saw a disturbing fact emerging: Lady Keisho-in was oblivious to what happened around her. The otoshiyori handled the administration of the Large Interior, just as Chamberlain Yanagisawa managed the government for Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. That both leaders of Japan's ruling clan were so weak and dull-witted-there seemed no better term for it-boded ill for the nation.

"Sometimes people are not what they seem," Sano hinted. "Someone may hide his true nature, until something happens... "

Chizuru seized on this opening: she was obviously torn between fears of contradicting Lady Keisho-in and of lying to the shogun's sosakan-sama.

"The palace guards are all men who come from good families and have good service records. Usually they're of good character, too. But one of them, Lieutenant Kushida... Four days ago, Lady Harume registered a complaint. She said he was behaving in an improper fashion toward her. When the palace officials weren't watching, he would loiter around her, trying to start conversations about... inappropriate things."

Meaning sex, Sano interpreted.

"Lieutenant Kushida sent offensive letters to Lady Harume, or so she said," continued Madam Chizuru. "She even claimed that he spied on her while she bathed. She said she told him again and again to leave her alone, but he persisted, then finally got mad and threatened to kill her."

"Disgusting!" Lady Keisho-in made a face, then said indignantly, "Why does no one tell me anything?"

Chizuru's pained glance at Sano told him that she had informed the shogun's mother, who had forgotten.

"What happened then?" Sano asked.

"I was reluctant to believe the accusations," Chizuru said. "Lieutenant Kushida has worked here for ten years without causing any trouble. He is a fine, upstanding man. Lady Harume had been here only a short time." The otoshiyori's tone indicated that she had thought Harume less fine and upstanding, and the likely source of the problem. "However, this kind of accusation is always treated seriously. The law forbids male staff to bother the women, or engage in any improper relations with them. The penalty is dismissal. I reported the matter to the chief administrator. Lieutenant Kushida was temporarily relieved of his duties, pending an investigation of the charges."

"And was this investigation performed?" Sano asked.

"No. And now that Lady Harume is dead..."

The charges, without her to substantiate them, must have been dropped, which explained why the chief administrator had neglected to tell Hirata about them. How fortunate for Lieutenant Kushida that his accuser's death had averted the disgrace of losing his post. He, as well as the envious Lady Ichiteru, definitely merited an interview.

"Jealous concubines, rude guards," lamented Keisho-in. "Dreadful! Sosakan-sama, you must find and punish whoever killed my sweet little Harume and save us all from this evil, dangerous person."

"I'll need to have my detectives search the Large Interior and speak with the residents," Sano said. "May I have your permission?"

"Of course, of course." Lady Keisho-in nodded vigorously. Then, with a grunt, she pushed herself upright and beckoned Madam Chizuru to help her stand. "It's time for my prayers. But please come and see me again." She dimpled at Hirata. "You, too, young man."

They made their farewells. Hirata almost ran from the room. Sano followed, wondering about his retainer's uncharacteristic bashfulness and looking ahead to all the work they must do. Yet as they left the palace, he was glad that the hour was too late to begin calling on suspects or witnesses, and that they needn't meet with the shogun until tomorrow. At home, Reiko waited. This was their wedding night.

7
    Servants greeted Sano in the entryway of his mansion when he arrived home. They relieved him of his cloak and swords and ushered him into the parlor, where charcoal braziers and lanterns burned, and wall murals depicted a serene mountain landscape. Resting upon silk floor cushions,