Black Lotus (20 page)

"When the pain stopped, the Buddha was gone. The cottage and clouds had disappeared. I could see across the land below the mountain, but only with my left eye. The right eye was burned shut. It gazed upon infinite dimensions throughout space and time. I saw things happening in distant places before I was born, and events far in the future." Emotion trembled in Anraku's voice. "I had a vision of the temple I would build here. I rose and walked down the mountain toward my destiny."

Though Reiko believed that the Buddha had many incarnations and some humans had supernatural powers, no one knew what had happened to Anraku during those eight years; he could invent any explanation he liked. He could also invent visions.

"What is the secret of the Black Lotus Sutra?" Lady Keisho-in asked eagerly.

Anraku gave her an apologetic smile. "Alas, it cannot be explained, only experienced by devotees of the sect."

"Well, then, I'll join," Keisho-in said with characteristic impulsiveness.

Dismay chilled Reiko. "Perhaps it would be best to give the matter some serious thought first," she said.

"Thought is but an illusion that obscures destiny," Anraku said, and his smile gently rebuked her. "If it is Her Highness's fate to become one of us, then she shall." To Keisho-in he said, "Let me examine your life for the truth."

Keisho-in leaned forward. Anraku gazed upon her intently, and Reiko had an eerie sense of his concentration radiating through the black eye patch like an invisible weapon toward Keisho-in. Reiko tasted dread. If Anraku harmed Keisho-in, it would be her fault.

"You are a woman of humble origin whose beauty captivated a great lord," Anraku said. "Your son rules with the aid of your wise counsel.

You are devout and charitable, respected and loved. Inside you is a rare, extraordinary potential."

"Ah!" Lady Keisho-in gasped. "That's me exactly!"

He'd said nothing that he couldn't have learned from public knowledge of her, and it wasn't hard to guess that Keisho-in considered herself special, Reiko observed.

Now Anraku turned the eerie, tactile gaze of his blind eye on Reiko. He said gravely, "There is a painful division in you. One side cleaves to a man; the other, to a girl of no kin to you. You are torn between love and honor. To choose one side is to sacrifice the other. You live in terror of choosing wrongly. You fear you've already compromised yourself beyond reparation."

Reiko stared in wordless shock. His subordinates would have told him that she was trying to help Haru, but how did he guess how she felt? The cool, rustling pine forest seemed suddenly astir with malignant forces and the pavilion a cage imprisoning Reiko. Did Anraku really have supernatural vision, or spies watching her? Both possibilities were alarming.

"Your spirit is in serious peril unless you reconcile your dualities," Anraku said. "The Black Lotus Sutra shows the way to spiritual unity. Honorable Lady Reiko, both you and Her Highness must join me."

"Oh, yes, let's!" Keisho-in said.

"I didn't come here to discuss myself," Reiko said, hiding her fright behind brusqueness. That Anraku could judge people so well made him dangerous, no matter how he did it. "I want to talk about the fire and murders. What do you know of them?"

Anraku's tranquil demeanor didn't alter. "I know that things were not as they seem," he said.

"What does your vision show you?"

Obviously recognizing her question as bait, Anraku smiled.

"Where were you the night of the fire?" Reiko said.

"At a shrine festival in Osaka." That city was many days' journey from Edo. Before Reiko could ask if anyone could confirm his presence there, Anraku added, "I was also in China."

Puzzled, Reiko said, "But the law forbids anyone to leave Japan, and even if you could, it's impossible to be in two places at once."

Anraku's expression disdained her logic. "I am bound by neither man's laws nor nature's. With the powers given me by the Buddha, my spirit can travel to many places simultaneously."

"Marvelous!" Lady Keisho-in said. "You must teach me how to do that."

"Where was your body while your spirit traveled?" Reiko said.

"It lay in my chamber, guarded by my disciples."

At least this was an alibi Reiko could check, but she grew more uncertain about Anraku and fearful of him. Whether or not his magic powers were genuine, he had real influence over people. According to Hirata and Minister Fugatami, citizens had accused him of extortion, fraud", kidnapping, and violence. Was Anraku a sincere mystic who was unaware of what his followers did, or a madman responsible for the sect's crimes?

"What was your relationship with Commander Oyama?" Reiko asked.

"He was a generous patron and valued disciple."

"With your powers, you must have known that he bequeathed twenty thousand
koban
to your sect." Reiko hoped to trap Anraku into admitting that he'd had reason to kill Oyama.

"Mere mortals can never know what I know," Anraku said.

Interpreting his complacent smile to mean that there was no physical proof one way or the other, Reiko said, "Then tell me what you know about the nurse Chie."

"She had a talent for healing and a wish to do good," Anraku said.

Reiko guessed that Anraku knew the murdered woman had been identified and that denials were pointless. He also knew better than to give any reason for wishing Chie or Oyama dead.

"Have you any idea who the dead child was?" Reiko said.

"None," Anraku said.

A shadow of emotion veiled his face, then receded before Reiko could interpret it, but she knew he'd lied. Still, even if he was a murderer, Anraku was a man of influence.

"I wish to prove whether or not Haru committed the crimes," she said. "What can you tell me of her character?"

Throughout the interview Anraku had sat unnaturally still, but now he flexed his lithe body, as though easing cramped muscles. "Whatever trouble Haru may have caused in the past, my guidance had cured her of bad behavior."

This wasn't exactly a testimonial to Hanu's innocence, but maybe his opinion would convince Sano, Reiko hoped.

Lady Keisho-in stirred restlessly. "Enough of this unpleasant talk about murder," she said. "When can I begin my indoctrination into the Black Lotus?"

"Immediately, if you like." An acquisitive gleam brightened Anraku's single eye.

Though Reiko wanted to question him regarding Pious Truth and his accusations against the sect, she had to get the shogun's mother away from the temple. She said, "Honorable Lady, shouldn't you consult Priest Ryuko first?"

At the mention of her spiritual advisor and lover, Keisho-in hesitated, then said, "I suppose so."

"Then let's go back to Edo Castle." Reiko hoped the priest would recognize Anraku as competition for his mistress's favor and dissuade Keisho-in.

"In the meantime, I'll send a donation as a pledge of my good faith," Keisho-in promised Anraku.

"My sincere thanks." Anraku bowed. "I look forward to your return." As they made their farewells, he shot Reiko a smug glance, as if to say,
Oppose me if you will, but I shall win in the end
.

During the walk through the precinct, Keisho-in gushed, "Isn't Anraku wonderful? Like a living god. And he wants me!"

Was he a god, or a charlatan who coveted a share of the Tokugawa power and fortune? "I think he's dangerous," Reiko said.

"Oh, don't be silly," Keisho-in scoffed.

They reached their palanquin, and Reiko said, "Will you excuse me if I don't go home with you? I have an errand."

"Very well," Keisho-in said indifferently.

At least Anraku had distracted her from sex between women, yet Reiko dreaded Sano discovering that she'd involved Keisho-in with the Black Lotus almost as much as she dreaded him finding out about her own close call. And as she ordered her guards to hire a palanquin to take her to Shinagawa, she feared how he would react when he learned she'd disobeyed his order to stay out of Minister Fugatami's investigation.

18

What is real or not real?

Do not try to see or understand.

All phenomena exist and do not exist;

Only the enlightened can distinguish truth from falsehood.

-----FROM THE BLACK LOTUS SUTRA

"Honorable Father-in-law, we've come to see Haru," said Sano. He and Hirata sat in Magistrate Ueda's private office. The magistrate sat behind his desk, while a maid served tea. Sano said, "How is Haru doing?"

"She's behaved herself so far," Magistrate Ueda said. He added contritely, "Forgive me if I've upset you by taking her in. I would not normally house a murder suspect, but this time I allowed myself to be persuaded against my better judgment."

"I know. It's not your fault. My wife can be very persuasive."

The thought of Reiko fueled the anger in Sano. Still wounded by her insults and furious at her contrary behavior, he nonetheless ached with lonely need for her. He didn't want them to be adversaries. If neither of them would surrender, what then?

"I hope this case hasn't caused you trouble at home," Magistrate Ueda said with concern.

"Nothing serious," Sano lied. Social custom discouraged talk of personal problems, and he was uncomfortable discussing his even with Mag-istrate Ueda, a close friend. "It's just that my wife has become convinced that Haru is innocent."

"And you?" The magistrate's sharp gaze indicated that he'd noticed how Sano avoided using Reiko's name and guessed how bad things were between his daughter and son-in-law.

"There's much evidence against Haru," Sano hedged, and explained what he'd discovered. He didn't want to admit that he thought Haru guilty of something, because he was afraid his decision was premature, born of his anger at Reiko and his need to prove he was right and she wrong.

Magistrate Ueda contemplated Sano with a grave expression, then said, "I will mediate between you and Reiko if you wish."

"You needn't trouble yourself, but thank you for your kind offer." Sano was grateful, although shamed by the idea that he couldn't handle his own marriage and his father-in-law must intercede to preserve the union of the two clans. "I'm sure my wife will see reason when the facts are known. Now Hirata and I would like to ask Haru for some of those facts."

Magistrate Ueda rose. "I'll take you to her."

He led the way to the private quarters of the mansion. A guard loitered outside a room Sano recognized as Reiko's girlhood chamber. Magistrate Ueda spoke through the open door: "Haru-san, you have visitors."

Looking into the chamber, Sano saw Haru seated at a dressing table. She wore her hair in an elaborate knot studded with floral ornaments, and a jade green kimono printed with mauve asters. White makeup covered her face, and she'd painted her lips scarlet. She looked years older and startlingly pretty. Clothes, toiletries, and boxes of sweets lay on the floor around her. The scene enraged Sano. Four people, including her husband, had died in violence, and here Haru sat, primping amid things that Reiko must have given her.

Now Haru saw Sano and Hirata. She gasped.

"The
sōsakan-sama
wants a word with you," Magistrate Ueda said, his tone kind although Sano could tell that his father-in-law shared his disapproval of Haru.

After the magistrate left, Sano crouched near Haru. "You seem to have recovered from your ordeal," he said to her.

She must have sensed his animosity, because she folded her arms and hunched her shoulders. Her fear transformed her into a child again. The sudden change angered Sana because she was an adult, using childishness as a defense.

"Perhaps you've recovered your memory, too," Sano said. "Tell me about the night of the fire."

"I --- I already told Reiko-san that I don't remember," Haru mumbled, looking around as if in search of Reiko.

Their friendship had gone too far, Sano thought as his anger flared toward both women. "My wife's not here to pamper you. You'll answer to me. What happened?"

"I don't know." Trembling, Haru recoiled from him.

"Well, maybe you have a clearer recollection of years ago. Let's talk about your parents."

Haru's face took on a leery expression. "My parents are dead."

"Spare me the sad tale," Sano said disdainfully. "I met your parents yesterday. Did you forget that they disowned you? Or did you think no one would ever find out?"

"No!" Haru cast a longing glance at the door, but Hirata blocked it. "I mean --- "

"Why did you say you were an orphan?" Sano said.

Her tongue flicked over her lips. "I wanted the people at the temple to feel sorry for me and take me in."

The manipulative little liar, Sano thought in disgust. He said, "Do you feel sorry that your husband died when you burned down his house?"

Now panic leapt in Haru's eyes. "I didn't!" The high, unnatural pitch of her voice contradicted her vehemence. "It was an accident!"

Rising, Sano stood over Haru. "You set the fire in your husband's bedchamber. You were the only survivor, and glad of it. What did the old man do to you that made you murder him?"

She began wheezing and flung up her arms as though expecting him to strike her.

"What about Commander Oyama and the woman and little boy?" Sano shouted, welcoming her terror. She couldn't get away with obstructing him any longer. To keep his position, his honor, and his family's livelihood, he must break Haru. "Did you kill them? Did you set the fire at the temple?"

"No!" Now sobs punctuated the wheezes. Haru wept and choked; tears smeared her makeup. Bending, she cradled her head in her arms. "Please, leave me alone!"

"
Sosakan-sama
." A warning note tinged Hirata's voice.

Sano turned and saw his chief retainer regarding him with consternation. Now he noticed that his heart was thudding, his breath rapid, every muscle tense. In the heat of anger, he'd nearly crossed the line between persuasion and violence.

Hirata said, "Let me talk to her."

Alarmed by his loss of control, Sano nodded and stepped aside. If he couldn't handle his temper and keep personal problems from interfering with his work, he might never solve the case. He fought down panic.

Hirata knelt beside Haru. "Don't cry; nobody's going to hurt you," he soothed, patting her back. "It's all right."

Soon her weeping subsided. She turned a timid, drenched face to Hirata. Taking a cloth from under his sash, he dried her tears and smiled. "There, that's better."

Weakly, she smiled back, glancing at Sano, brave now that she thought she had an ally in Hirata.

"I believe you're innocent," Hirata said gently. "Help me find out who's guilty, and I'll help you."

Haru studied his earnest, open face, and hope brightened her eyes. "Can you?"

"Yes, indeed. I'll make sure your name is cleared and you Can go back to your friends at the Black Lotus Temple." Hirata's trustworthy manner had elicited confessions from many criminals. "What do you say? Will you help me?"

Nodding, Haru said, "I'll try."

However, when Hirata questioned her, Haru produced the same tale she'd told Reiko: She remembered nothing after going to bed the night before the fire. Sano battled anger and sudden unease. Haru's eagerness to help could be a pose that she'd adopted because hysteria hadn't saved her from interrogation, but she sounded so sincere. Might she be speaking the truth?

"Haru-san, I'm afraid that what you've told me won't help either of us," Hirata said with kind concern. "Are you sure you know nothing more about the deaths of Commander Oyama, Nurse Chie, or the boy?"

"Nurse Chie was the woman in the cottage?" At Hirata's nod, Haru started to speak, then pressed her lips together.

"What is it?" Hirata prompted.

Uncertainty puckered the girl's forehead. "I wouldn't want to get anyone in trouble."

"Don't worry. Just tell the truth," Hirata said.

"Well…"

Hirata waited expectantly, and Sano with suspicion. At last Haru said, "It happened in the sixth month of this year. Dr. Miwa was giving me a medical treatment. I was asleep in bed in the temple hospital, when voices woke me. I looked up and saw Dr. Miwa and Nurse Chie across the room. Chie took care of the patients, and I liked her because she was pretty and cheerful, but that day she was crying. She said, 'We can't do this. It's wrong.' Dr. Miwa said, 'No, it's glorious, right, and destined to be. We must go through with it.

"He was all excited, but Chie said, 'I don't want to. Please don't make me!' " Clasping her hands, Haru pantomimed begging. "They didn't know I was listening. Dr. Miwa got angry and shouted at Chie, 'You'll obey or die.' He grabbed her and pulled her to him. She screamed, 'No, I can't! I won't!' Then she broke free and ran out of the room."

Haru looked hopefully at Hirata. "Will that help?"

The story might indeed help Haru because it cast aspersions on the doctor, Sano observed. If Chie had spurned sexual advances from Miwa, that might give him a reason to kill her. But Haru's recital seemed too pat. Sano wondered if the incident had really occurred.

"Did anyone besides you see what happened?" Hirata asked.

Haru shook her head. "I was the only person around."

Just as Sano had expected, there were no impartial witnesses to confirm the story. If Dr. Miwa denied arguing with Chie, it would be his word against Haru's. Although a physician had more credibility than did a peasant girl, even false accusations could harm someone with Miwa's criminal record.

"Thank you, Haru-san," said Hirata.

"Please don't hurt Dr. Miwa," Haru said, looking worried. "He helped me, and I'd hate to get him in trouble."

Sano eyed her with contempt. She'd already told Reiko about a violent argument between the priest Kumashiro and Commander Oyama. Now the little hypocrite had struck back at Dr. Miwa for maligning her character.

"Especially since he's not the only one who was mad at Chie," Haru added.

"Who else was?" Hirata asked.

"Abbess Junketsu-in," said Haru.

In case heaping suspicion upon Dr. Miwa wasn't enough to get her off the hook, she would incriminate Junketsu-in, Sano thought. And the abbess was another of Haru's detractors.

"She didn't want Chie in the Black Lotus," Haru said. "She was always picking on Chie and trying to get her thrown out. Once I asked Chie why Junketsu-in was so mean to her. Chie said Junketsu-in was jealous." With an air of stunned revelation, Haru exclaimed, "Oh! Maybe Junketsu-in killed Chie to get rid of her."

"Or maybe you invented the whole story," Sano interjected, unable to remain quiet while Haru evaded the question of her own guilt. As she stared at him in fright, Sano advanced on her. "You've said plenty about other people. Now let's discuss what your friends at the orphanage say about you. Hanako and Yukiko told me they followed you to the cottage on the night before the fire. They say you went under your own power, completely conscious of what you were doing."

Haru scooted nearer Hirata for protection. Her breathing quickened again. "They're wrong," she whispered.

"Yukiko and Hanako lied?"