“Not until the afternoon?” Father Mateo repeated. “Why?”
“Shogun’s orders,” the tall guard said. “The magistrate hears all capital crimes in public, at the afternoon session.”
“The afternoon hearing is public?” Father Mateo asked.
The tall guard turned and gestured toward a bed of white sand on the opposite side of the courtyard. Behind the sand, a wooden dais rose several feet above the ground. Neither the wood nor the sand showed signs of weathering.
“The shogun ordered the change a month ago,” the guard explained. “All serious cases must be heard, and the sentences carried out, in public. To help the common people understand the consequences of their crimes.”
“Shogun Ashikaga gave that order?” Father Mateo asked.
“Shogun Matsunaga gave the order—after Shogun Ashikaga’s seppuku,” the guard replied.
Hiro didn’t miss the veiled challenge in the words. Rumors questioned the former shogun’s “suicide,” which took place in the night and under the eye of Matsunaga Hisahide, though no one dared to challenge Hisahide’s version openly.
No one who valued his life, at any rate.
“I apologize,” Father Mateo said. “I did not hear that the emperor had granted Matsunaga-san the shogunate.”
“He has not made the formal announcement,” the samurai said, chin high and shoulders squared, “but he will, when the mourning period for the former shogun ends. Wise men will not wait to recognize Shogun Matsunaga’s status.”
On the contrary, Hiro thought, wise men won’t commit themselves before the proper time. Aloud, he said, “Forgive the foreigner’s ignorance. He does not understand our culture well.”
The samurai nodded. “The magistrate ordered the criminals taken to prison until this afternoon. You will find the man you are seeking there.”
* * *
Hiro and Father Mateo left the magistrate’s compound and turned south on a street that led to the commercial ward.
“Aren’t we going to see Ginjiro?” Father Mateo asked.
“We need to speak with Chikao’s family,” Hiro said. “Preferably without Ren present.”
“Without Ren?” Father Mateo asked.
Hiro nodded. “Chikao’s business partner has the physical strength to commit the crime, and though he seemed upset by the news, emotions can be faked.”
“He cried real tears,” Father Mateo said, “and physical build means nothing. Any person of reasonable size could have beaten Chikao to death.”
“Yes,” Hiro said, “but Ren will gain from Chikao’s murder in ways another man will not.”
“Won’t Chikao’s son inherit his father’s share of the business?” Father Mateo asked.
“Normally, yes,” Hiro said, “but until we know for certain, we must consider everyone a suspect.”
The Jesuit nodded. “Do you know how to find the Lucky Monkey brewery?”
“No,” Hiro said, “I’m hoping Tomiko does.”
* * *
“Today?” Tomiko asked when Hiro told her about the hearing. “But that’s too soon. We need more time to prove my father’s innocence.”
Rustling sounds from the opposite side of the indigo noren suggested Yoka was working in the kitchen.
Tomiko lowered her voice. “I want to attend the hearing, but I cannot leave my mother alone. I cannot take her with me, either. Since the illness, unfamiliar situations scare her. If she sees my father kneeling like a criminal…”
Tomiko pressed her lips together, unwilling to continue.
“Can you tell us where to find Chikao’s family?” Father Mateo asked.
Hiro added, “Magistrate Ishimaki might delay your father’s hearing, if the victim’s family consents.”
“They live at the Lucky Monkey,” Tomiko said, “in an alley south of Shijō and east of Kawaramachi Road.”
“An alley?” Father Mateo asked.
“The address is on Shijō Road,” she said, “but the brewery has no frontage. The building sits behind an old apothecary’s shop. Look carefully, it’s hard to find.”
“Have you been there?” Father Mateo tried to hide his surprise, but failed.
“Once, with my father,” Tomiko said, “about a month ago. We stopped by on our way to a meeting in Fushimi. A visiting relative stayed with Mother so I could go along.”
Hiro noted Father Mateo’s confusion. “Fushimi is the sake brewers’ ward.”
“Isn’t this the sake district?” the Jesuit asked.
“This ward has many businesses,” Tomiko said. “My father chose to open a brewery here because of the traffic and because we offer food as well as sake. Those who sell only sake usually set up shop in Fushimi, because of the water. Also, the guild has greater influence there.”
“Why did you visit the Lucky Monkey?” Hiro asked.
“To ask about the debt.” Tomiko raised a hand to her mouth in sudden embarrassment. “Oh! Matsui-san, I’m so sorry! I forgot to give you a message. A man came looking for you last night, shortly after you left.”
She bowed. “Please forgive my forgetfulness.”
Hiro’s hopes rose. A message from Iga would confirm that Hattori Hanzo, head of the Iga ryu, had learned about the shogun’s death. The message might also contain the name of Hiro’s new shinobi contact in Kyoto. Kazu had filled that role until the shogun’s “suicide” two months before. Since then, Hiro had awaited new instructions from the clan. He doubted the shogun’s death would affect his orders to guard the priest, but Hiro put no faith in such assumptions.
“I do not blame you,” Hiro said. “You’ve had a difficult morning. Did the man leave his name?”
“Ozuru,” Tomiko said. “A carpenter, I think? He said he would return tomorrow night to discuss the job you wanted done.”
“He will return tonight, then?” Hiro maintained a neutral tone, but the message made his stomach churn. Ozuru worked as a carpenter in much the same way Hiro served the Jesuit. Neither man was truly what he seemed.
“Yes,” Tomiko said, “I believe he will.”
Hiro nodded. “I will do my best to meet him.”
The shinobi and the Jesuit left the brewery and headed south.
“Have we time to get to the Lucky Monkey and back to the magistrate before the hearing?” Father Mateo asked.
“We have to,” Hiro said. “We need Chikao’s family to grant us extra time to find the killer.”
“Can they do that?” Father Mateo asked. When Hiro gave him a sideways look, the Jesuit added, “I said so to Tomiko, but I didn’t know for certain.”
“Magistrate Ishimaki cares about justice,” Hiro said. “I think he will grant us extra time unless the victim’s family objects.”
“Will he release Ginjiro until the trial?”
Hiro shook his head. “No magistrate would set a killer free.”
“Do you believe Ginjiro killed Chikao?” Father Mateo asked.
“No,” Hiro said, “but murders turn on evidence, not belief.”