The Iris Fan Read Online Free PDF

under control, and keep Ienobu from gaining any further advantage.
    *   *   *
     
    SANO KNELT ON the left side of the bed. The shogun lay facing toward Ienobu on his right. The doctor knelt at the foot of the bed, Captain Hosono by the wall. The air still stank of blood and feces. The servants stirred the charcoal braziers set in the floor, fanning up heat to keep the shogun warm. Sano wished he could fling open the exterior doors and let in the cold, fresh wind. It might sweep the shock and confusion from his mind and help him think clearly.
    The shogun trembled, then went still, then trembled, at irregular intervals. His hand clung to Lord Ienobu’s. Ienobu wore the proper, concerned expression, but Sano could almost see his ill will flowing like black poison from his heart, through a vein in his arm, and into the shogun. Sano wanted to tear their hands apart.
    Yanagisawa returned, bringing two guards. He knelt beside the doctor and studied the shogun. “Why is he shaking?”
    “He’s in shock,” the physician said.
    “Then do something.” Yanagisawa’s concern, unlike Ienobu’s, seemed genuine.
    “I gave him medicine. There’s nothing more I can do for him at present.”
    “Well, I’ve arranged extra security for him.” Yanagisawa announced, “He’ll have two bodyguards, specially chosen by me, with him at all times.” He indicated the men he’d brought—loyal, trustworthy, longtime Tokugawa retainers. “No one is allowed to be alone with His Excellency.”
    Although Sano knew that Yanagisawa was an expert actor, he had a strong sense that Yanagisawa truly didn’t want somebody to finish off the shogun. When Lord Ienobu bent a quizzical gaze on him, Yanagisawa responded with a bland look. Sano recognized that look; it masked all manner of evil intentions. Why were Yanagisawa and Ienobu suddenly at odds?
    As if he thought his own concern for the shogun might seem lacking, Lord Ienobu said, “Is there anything you want, Uncle?”
    “Yes.” The shogun’s voice was faint, sleepy, but tinged with anger. “I want to know who did this to me.”
    Opportunity beckoned Sano, as clear, bright, and many-faceted as a crystal. “I’ll find out, Your Excellency.”
    The shogun started to turn toward Sano. Alarm bulged Ienobu’s eyes; he gripped the shogun’s hand tighter. “No, Uncle, let me handle it.”
    Sano understood why Ienobu didn’t want him to investigate the stabbing: Here was his new chance to bring Ienobu down.
    “Leave us for a moment,” Yanagisawa told the physician, Captain Hosono, the guards, and the servants. He obviously didn’t want them blatting all over town about the argument that was about to begin.
    Another fit of trembling seized the shogun, then subsided. Dazed from the opium, he squinted at Ienobu, then Sano.
    “Lord Ienobu shouldn’t be in charge of the investigation,” Sano said.
    Ienobu started to protest. Yanagisawa leaned forward; the fire in his eyes intensified. Sano recognized that look, too: Yanagisawa was scouting the situation for an advantage for himself. The shogun interrupted Ienobu. “Why not?”
    Sano couldn’t say, Because I think he sent the assassin to kill you. He’d learned the hard way that it was dangerous to accuse the shogun’s heir of murder and treason. If he accused Lord Ienobu again, and the shogun again didn’t believe him, the result would be death for him instead of another demotion. “Because he has no experience with investigating crimes.”
    Yanagisawa said, “Whereas you’ve investigated crimes for twenty years.” Although his scornful tone denigrated Sano’s expertise, he’d also pointed it up.
    “That is true,” the shogun murmured.
    Ienobu hurried to object. “But, Uncle, you banned Sano- san from court.”
    “Your Excellency can bring me back,” Sano said. “It’s your prerogative to have the attempt on your life investigated by the man you’ve always trusted to solve crimes for you.”
    The shogun twisted