Concubine's Tattoo Read Online Free PDF Page A

epidemic still a possibility. Have our men distribute the news to everyone who lives in the castle, instructing them to stay in their quarters or at their posts until the danger has passed." Over the past year, Sano's personal staff had grown into a team of one hundred detectives, soldiers, and clerks, enough to handle this large task. He added, "That should help prevent rumors from spreading."

Hirata nodded."If Lady Harume died of a contagious disease, we need to know what she did, where she went, and whom she saw just before she died, so we can trace the sickness and quarantine her contacts. I'll set up appointments with the chief lady palace official, and His Excellency's Honorable Mother."

The shogun's wife was a reclusive invalid who kept to her bed, her privacy and health guarded by a few trusted physicians and attendants. Therefore Tokugawa Tsunayoshi's mother, Lady Keisho-in, his constant companion and frequent adviser, ruled the Large Interior.

"But if it was murder," Hirata continued in a lower voice, "we'll need information about Lady Harume's relations with the people around her. I'll make discreet inquiries."

"Good." Sano knew he could trust Hirata, who had demonstrated impressive competence and unswerving loyalty during their association. In Nagasaki, the young retainer had helped solve a difficult case-and saved Sano's life.

"And sosakan-sama? I'm sorry about the wedding banquet." They left the room, and Hirata bowed."My congratulations on your marriage. It will be a privilege to extend my service to the Honorable Lady Reiko."

"Thank you, Hirata-san." Sano also bowed. He appreciated Hirata's friendship, which had supported him through a lonely period of his life. One of the hardest things about his job had been learning to share responsibility and risk, but Hirata had taught him the necessity-and honor-of both. They were united in the ancient samurai tradition of master and servant, absolute and eternal. Glad to leave matters in trustworthy hands, Sano left the palace, bound for Edo Morgue.

3
    The gate to Sano's mansion in the Edo Castle Official Quarter stood open to the bright autumn afternoon. Up the street, past the estates of other high bakufu officials, porters carried wedding gifts from prominent citizens hoping to win favor with the shogun's sosakan. Servants transferred the bundles across the paved courtyard, through the wooden inner fence, and into the tile-roofed, half-timbered house. There maids unpacked; cooks labored in the kitchen; the housekeeper supervised last-minute preparations for the newlyweds' residency. Members of the sosakan's elite detective corps passed among the surrounding barracks, the stables, and the house's front offices, and through the gate, carrying on business in their master's absence.

Isolated from this clamor of purposeful activity, Ueda Reiko, still wearing her white bridal kimono, knelt in her chamber in the mansion's private living quarters, amid chests filled with personal belongings brought from Magistrate Ueda's house. The newly decorated room smelled sweetly of fresh tatami. A colorful mural of birds in a forest adorned the wall. A black lacquer dressing table with matching screen and cabinet, inlaid with gold butterflies, stood ready for Reiko's use. Afternoon sunlight shone through latticed paper windows; outside, birds sang in the garden. Yet the pleasant surroundings, and even the fact that she was now living at Edo Castle-the goal of all ladies of her class-failed to lift the unhappiness that weighed upon Reiko's spirit.

"There you are, young mistress!"

Into the room hurried O-sugi, Reiko's childhood nurse and companion, who had moved to the castle with her. Plump and smiling, O-sugi regarded Reiko with affectionate exasperation."Daydreaming, as usual."

"What else is there to do?" Reiko asked sadly."The banquet was canceled. Everyone is gone. And you said not to unpack, because there are servants to wait on me, and it would make a bad impression if I