CHAPTER 41

Hiro inwardly cringed that Father Mateo had revealed the missing mask.

“Yuji would never steal from us.” A flush of anger colored Chou’s cheeks, though she struggled to keep her tone respectful. “All of the masks will belong to him when he becomes the leader. Only a fool would steal what he already owns—or will inherit. Besides, the masks are sacred. Yuji would never diminish the guild by taking them away.”

The reaction suggested Chou was unaware of the missing mask. Had she known, she would have accused someone else, or at least acknowledged its disappearance.

Hiro had no intention of allowing the priest to reveal any more. “Tell us what you know about the other men your sister met by the river.”

“I promise I know nothing more.” Chou clasped her hands together. “Emi said that one of the men was going to get her a place in a teahouse. Maybe that man gave her the coin.”

“He said he would get her a place . . . or buy her one?” Hiro asked.

“Is there a difference?” Chou replied. “It seems the same to me.”

“Not necessarily. Which word did your sister use?”

Chou shook her head. “She might have used them both—or something else. I don’t remember.”

“You remember nothing more?” Hiro asked.

“Nothing,” Chou repeated. “I have told the entire truth.”

“Make sure you have,” Hiro threatened. “Next time, you will not escape the magistrate.”

“I understand—and thank you.” Chou bowed deeply.

Hiro continued toward the river. After a moment’s hesitation, Father Mateo followed. When he drew alongside Hiro, the Jesuit said, “I suppose we need to talk with Yuji.”

“I doubt it will help. He won’t admit to anything, and we should not approach the actors again if we can avoid it. Yoriki Hosokawa will be watching.”

At the bridge, they started north along the river road.

“Why do you suddenly care what the yoriki thinks?” Father Mateo asked.

“The magistrate spoke to Father Vilela,” Hiro said. “In Japan, the message that sends is very clear. I cannot protect you if you are in prison. Especially if I am imprisoned also.”

A voice behind them shouted, “Halt!”

Hiro knew the voice before he turned. “Good morning again, Yoriki Hosokawa.”

The yoriki stood directly behind them, flanked by a single, scruffy dōshin. He didn’t return the greeting.

“What were you doing in the theater ward?” he demanded. “Don’t deny it. We saw you make the turn from Shijō Road.”

Hiro heard footsteps approaching from behind. A thin young man stepped off the path and hurried around them, keeping well away from the confrontation. He gave the yoriki a nervous glance as he scurried past.

The young man’s face seemed vaguely familiar, but Hiro didn’t have time to search his memory. The youth had already disappeared behind the Shijō Bridge.

Hiro wished that he and Father Mateo could do the same.

“My business takes me to every ward in Kyoto,” Father Mateo said. “Just now, I spoke with a girl who needs my help.”

The yoriki narrowed his eyes at the priest. “You’d better be referring to your religion, not investigating crimes.”

“Do not worry,” Father Mateo said. “If I was any less involved in solving crimes, I would qualify to join the Kyoto police.”

Hiro stared at Father Mateo, unable to believe the priest had just insulted the yoriki again.

“How dare you!” The yoriki’s cheeks flushed red. He reached for his sword.

Hiro stepped forward and laid a hand on the hilt of his own katana. “Think before you draw that blade. The emperor considers the foreign priests his personal guests. This one has committed no crime. He is unarmed, and he is my employer. If you draw that sword, you fight with me.”

Yoriki Hosokawa gave Father Mateo a calculating look. “What is it worth to you to stay out of trouble?”

“Pardon me?” Father Mateo asked.

Hiro could hardly believe what he was hearing.

“Give me the coin you received from the dead girl’s family,” the yoriki said, “and perhaps I will forget I saw you here.”

“What are you talking about? What coin?” Hiro spoke quickly to keep the priest from answering.

“The one you showed to the magistrate yesterday. I want it now.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Hiro said.

“Liar. I heard you showing a coin to the magistrate.” Yoriki Hosokawa’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword.

“Then you also know he told us to return it.” Hiro remembered the rustling noise outside the magistrate’s office as they left.

Yoriki Hosokawa nodded at Father Mateo. “For his sake, I hope you didn’t.”

“We have not returned the coin,” the priest confirmed.

“But we don’t have it,” Hiro added quickly.

Yoriki Hosokawa turned on Hiro. “Where is the coin?”

“I dropped it in the river.” Hiro gestured toward the bridge. “A most regrettable accident.”

“Then give me something else,” the yoriki said, “or I will arrest the priest.”

“You have no grounds to arrest me,” Father Mateo protested.

“I saw you investigating a crime, against the magistrate’s orders.” Yoriki Hosokawa turned to the dōshin. “You saw him, didn’t you?”

The dōshin nodded.

Father Mateo opened his mouth to object—as an explosion rocked the bridge at Shijō Road.