Death on an Autumn River Read Online Free PDF Page B

formality of the court, Akitada was stunned.  Far from reading the minister’s missive after raising it reverently to his forehead, Nakahara had pushed it and the other papers under his piles of unfinished work.  And now he was off, no doubt having crab rolls and sake on his mind.  The man was not just eccentric;  he must be demented.  And what was more worrying, apparently any number of people had access to his documents.  Even pirates might learn all about the richest shipments.
    With a sigh, he got up again and followed Nakahara.  Nakahara passed through the hall and out into the entrance courtyard, waving gaily to the guards and shouting that he would be gone for the rest of the afternoon.
    Making things easy for spies, thought Akitada.
    As they left his compound, Nakahara pointed to a building near the prefecture.  “Look, over there is the government lodging house for couriers and those on official business.  Of course, I hope you’ll be my guest while you’re here.”
    The government quarters looked adequate, and Akitada could have stayed there.  There was much to be said for maintaining a neutral distance, but in this case it seemed better to meet the people around Nakahara.  He accepted the invitation.
    They walked back down to the harbor.  Nakahara talked about the river and canal silting up and making shipping difficult, but the fate of the Naniwa harbor was of little interest to Akitada.  The theft of imperial goods had taken place on the high seas, not here.
    Akitada put up with the chatter for a while, then interrupted. “All of this is very interesting, sir, but the attention at court is on the recent piracies on the Inland Sea.”
    Nakahara stopped.  “Do please call me Morito.  Everybody does.  It’s friendlier.”
    “If you wish.  I take it you’re aware of the increased pirate activity?”
    “Mmm, Yes.  There has been talk.”  Nakahara avoided his eyes.  “Are you certain that there is nothing else you would like to see?  The old storehouses are this way, and we could have a look at Shitenno-ji.  Everyone who comes here visits the temple.
    Akitada declined the offer and returned to the issue of piracy. “It is the Dazaifu that dispatches the cargo from Kyushu to Naniwa.  But apparently, that office has maintained the strictest secrecy.  Besides, some tribute ships from the provinces have also been lost.”
    “Coincidence probably, but someone in the capital always gets worried about conspiracies.  And usually they think it must be happening here.”
    Akitada suppressed a sarcastic comment.  He was puzzled.  According to his information, Nakahara was above reproach.  Why, then, was he stalling?  “Perhaps it would be best to keep the matter between ourselves for the time being.  And make sure that your documents are safe from curious eyes.”
    “You think I should?”  Nakahara chewed his lower lip.  “You may be right.  The whole town seems to be in and out of my office lately.”
    “What makes the court suspect this area in particular?”
    “The pirates have been attacking certain shipments and only on the last leg of their journey.  They must be local.  A cargo from China was carrying medicines and Buddhist scriptures and religious treasures for the Nara temple.  The monks discovered that some of their goods had been sold to rival temples and are furious.  Then two tribute ships for high-ranking officials disappeared.  In all of the cases, official lists from the Dazaifu were sent to us weeks earlier.”  Seeing Akitada’s surprise, Nakahara explained, “When the ships dock in Kawajiri, we check the cargo against those lists before they are transferred to smaller vessels.  It cuts down on captains helping themselves to things.  I think someone may have got hold of those lists.  I must say, it’s been somewhat embarrassing.”
    That was an understatement.  Either Nakahara was covering up his own activities or he was incredibly incompetent.