Free Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino

that?’
    ‘From the way she acted earlier. Practically the first thing she did when she saw Ms Wakayama was burst into tears and hug her.’
    ‘I guess.’ Utsumi looked down.
    ‘What? If you’ve got something to say, say it.’
    She looked back up, straight at Kusanagi. ‘Something occurred to me when I saw the two of them in front of the house. I thought, what if she
wants
us to see her crying like that? Crying in front of the last person in the world she wanted to cry with.’
    ‘Excuse me?’
    ‘Sorry, never mind. I’ll get the car.’
    Dumbfounded, Kusanagi watched Utsumi dash off.

SIX
    Back at the Mashiba residence, Mamiya had already finished questioning Ayane. Kusanagi informed the widow that Ms Wakayama had been feeling out of sorts and had gone home.
    ‘I understand,’ Ayane said. ‘I’m sure she’s in as much shock as I am.’ She was holding a teacup in both hands, a far-off look in her eyes. She was still frowning, but as she sat on the sofa there was a certain poise to her posture, a rigidity in her spine that spoke of inner strength.
    A mobile phone rang in the handbag that lay beside her. She took it out and glanced towards Mamiya, seeking his approval.
    He nodded.
    She checked the display on the phone before answering.
    ‘Yes? … Yes, I’m fine … The police are here right now. They’re not sure yet. They found him lying in the living room … Of course, I’ll tell you as soon as I know. And tellDad not to worry. Yeah. Bye.’ She hung up and informed Mamiya that the call had been from her mother.
    ‘Have you told her what happened?’ Kusanagi asked.
    ‘Only that he died suddenly. She wanted to know why, but I wasn’t sure what to say.’ Ayane put a hand to her forehead.
    ‘Have you told your husband’s office?’
    ‘Yes. I told the legal consultant this morning before leaving Sapporo. That’s the Mr Ikai I told you about.’
    ‘The one at the dinner party on Friday?’
    ‘Yes. Their office is a mess with the CEO gone … I only wish there was more I could do to help.’ A pained look came over Ayane’s face; she stared at nothing, eyes focused on a single point in space.
She’s trying to appear strong,
Kusanagi thought.
But I can see the tension in her. The façade might crumble at any moment
. He felt impelled to help her.
    ‘Maybe you should have a relative or another friend come to keep you company until Ms Wakayama’s feeling better? Even simple day-to-day things can seem overwhelming at times like these.’
    ‘I’m all right. And you probably don’t want a lot of people tromping around just yet, do you?’
    Mamiya turned to Kusanagi, a discomfited look on his face. ‘Forensics is coming in again this afternoon – we have Mrs Mashiba’s okay.’
    So she wouldn’t even be given a chance to mourn in peace. Kusanagi lowered his head to the widow in silence.
    Mamiya stood. ‘Sorry to take up so much of your time thismorning, Mrs Mashiba. Kishitani will be staying behind, so if you need something – chores, anything – just let him know.’
    Ayane thanked him in a small voice, as Mamiya and Kusanagi took their leave.
    ‘So how’d it go?’ Mamiya asked Kusanagi as soon as they were outside.
    ‘Ms Wakayama confirmed that she was in a relationship with the deceased, starting about three months ago. She says no one knew.’
    Mamiya’s nostrils flared. ‘And the coffee cup in the sink?’
    ‘Was from when they had coffee Sunday morning – made by Ms Wakayama, apparently. She said nothing seemed out of the ordinary.’
    ‘So the coffee was poisoned after that,’ Mamiya concluded with a scratch at the stubble on his chin.
    ‘Get anything from Mrs Mashiba?’
    A sour look came over the chief’s face and he shook his head. ‘Nothing good. I don’t even know if she was aware he was having an affair. I asked her pretty directly if there were any other women, but she denied it, and looked pretty surprised that I’d asked. No indecision, no wandering eyes. It