Free Assassin's Touch by Laura Joh Rowland Page B

disappointment from Lord Matsudaira, and relieved looks from the elders.
    “I’ll investigate their deaths tomorrow,” Hirata spoke up.
    “At least someone recognizes the need to investigate before jumping to conclusions,” Kato said under his breath.
    Lord Matsudaira asked Sano, “Have you any idea who killed Ejima?”
    “Not yet. Tomorrow I’ll begin looking for suspects.”
    “Maybe you needn’t look very far.” Lord Matsudaira fixed an insinuating gaze on the elders.
    They tried to hide their consternation. “Even if you believe that someone in this day and age has mastered the technique of dim-mak , you can’t think it’s anyone in the regime,” Ihara said. Sano knew that he and Kato had feared all along that Lord Matsudaira would accuse them of killing his officials in order to undermine him.
    “Anyone who doesn’t have the skill or the nerve to commit murder could have hired an assassin who does,” Lord Matsudaira said.
    “The same goes for anyone who accuses others,” Kato retorted. “Some men are not above committing crimes in order to strike at their enemies.”
    Lord Matsudaira’s gaze turned wary because Kato had fired his accusation back at him.
    “Maybe we should examine Chamberlain Sano’s own motive for designating the deaths as murders and conducting an investigation.” Ihara eyed Sano.
    The shogun frowned in baffled annoyance as he divided his attention among the music, the dancing, and the conversation. Yoritomo looked unhappy because Sano had come under attack. Sano knew that Kato and Ihara feared his friendship with Yoritomo, which undermined their own influence over the young man. Without Yoritomo, and his connection with the shogun, they would be exposed targets for Lord Matsudaira. Better for them to strike at Sano even though he’d tried to make peace with them.
    “My sole aim is to discover the truth,” Sano said.
    “The truth as it suits you and Lord Matsudaira,” Kato said with a grimace of disdain, then addressed the shogun: “Your Excellency, the murders—if such they are—should be investigated by someone who has no personal stake in the outcome and can be objective. I propose to lead a committee to get to the real truth of the matter.”
    “You have at least as much at stake as anyone else,” Lord Matsudaira said scornfully.
    “A committee is a fine idea,” said Ihara. “I’ll be on it.”
    Sano wondered if they wanted to take over the investigation because they feared that he would expose them as murderers, or try to frame them if they weren’t guilty. Sano couldn’t let them sweep one crime, and possibly four, under the tatami , or frame Lord Matsudaira and take him down in the process. It was time to pull rank.
    “I’m glad to hear that you’re so willing to investigate Chief Ejima’s murder,” Sano said to Kato and Ihara. “I always welcome such dedication from my subordinates.” The elders were technically subordinate to him, even though their age and seniority gave them special standing. “If I need your help, I’ll ask for it. Until then, you will restrict your role to advising His Excellency in your usual capacity.”
    Rage at this putdown clenched Kato’s and Ihara’s jaws, but they couldn’t openly defy a direct order.
    “You’ve always been satisfied with Chamberlain Sano’s service,” Lord Matsudaira told the shogun. “He’s the man best qualified to investigate. Let him continue.”
    “Well, ahh, that sounds like a good idea,” said the shogun. Disagreements bothered him, and he spoke with a timid desire to have this one settled.
    “Just because Sano has succeeded in the past doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed not to fail you now, Your Excellency,” Kato said with an urgency born of panic.
    “This case is too serious for him to handle alone, no matter his expertise,” Ihara added.
    Sano sensed them thinking that if Lord Matsudaira had his way, and they were implicated in the deaths of four high Tokugawa officials, they