The sky was darkening rapidly as Ikki realized he was in no recognizable territory. He could not even remember which way he had come. All around him were trees as tall as twelve or thirteen feet, and one tree looked the same as the next one. He had never been here before, and he wondered if he was lost. He would hate that, for it made him feel helpless, and he liked being in control of the situation.

Shun was presently engaged in both composing a poem and painting a stray cat he had found yesterday. Ikki hated that cat. It had done precious little since Shun took it in, and it tended to run about the house like a small hurricane on the loose. When it peed on the living room floor, Ikki decided to take a stroll until the beast took its leave. Hence ending up in this countryside.

He stared up, trying to locate the sun and tell east from west. It was no use; the trees and the failing light conspired to render that effort futile. He recalled that he had gotten off the bus on the main road fifteen minutes ago. It could not be too far to make it back to the road again. If he knew which way to go, that was.

Droplets of rain struck his cheeks, followed by more. Suppressing an oath, Ikki began to run for cover, ducking under the trees, trusting his instinct to reach a safe - meaning dry - place. Thunder rumbled ominously overhead.

The house was located in a clearing amidst the trees. It was two-storied with a front porch and looked old, probably built in the pre-World War I days. Ikki however had no eyes for architectural details as he leaped to the porch, hair slicked back from his brow. His clothes clung to his skin and the gusty wind caused gooseflesh to break along his arms.

He went to the door and knocked. Waiting for someone to open it, he noticed three cars parked at the side of the house. Two of them seemed to share the house's age, their paint dull and fading. The other was brand new and, he bet, expensive.

The door cracked open half an inch. "Yes?" said a hoarse voice.

"I'm caught in the rain. Can you please let me in so that I can shelter here until it stops?" Shun would have known how to be more diplomatic, but Ikki thought that straightforwardness was more effective. Besides, he did not like standing out here for too long; the temperature had risen considerably.

A man emerged from behind the door. He had a long, sallow face and a thin moustache that looked like a bad imitation of Hitler's. Ikki sensed that the man was not very healthy. "Come on in," the man said, opening the door wider. Ikki stepped in.

There were four people inside, all seated, and they turned as Ikki entered. One was an astonishingly tall young woman, clad in a sweater and jeans. She sat next to a thin-lipped man whose resemblance to her was striking. They must be brother and sister. Across them, separated by a low table, was an old man, wrapped in quilted blanket. Out of the fissures on his face a pair of intelligent eyes blazed out. On a solitary armchair another man was lounging carelessly and smoking. His clothes was well tailored and he wore gold-rimmed glasses.

"Who is that, Kunihiko?" the old man asked, his words distinct and clear.

"He's looking for shelter, sir," the sallow-faced man said deferentially. Ikki guessed him to be a butler of some sort.

"Huh!" The old man's sharp eyes bore into Ikki. "Is that true?"

Ikki stared back, unblinking. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll be gone when the rain stops."

"It may last the entire night. Sit over there." Pointing vaguely at a fireplace at the other end of the room, the old man then dismissed Ikki. He looked back at the three young people.

Ikki sauntered toward the fireplace, where a bright fire was burning merrily. The man called Kunihiko fetched a stool for him to sit on. Ikki spread his hands near the burning warmth, wishing Shun were with him. Shun would keep him company among these strangers.

That was odd. Since when did he need company? But Shun was not just a company. They were brothers and they had been through a lot together. It was not surprising that Ikki missed him. When he got home that darn cat had better be gone.

The old man said, "So, Ryohei, you're here hoping to squeeze more money out of me, aren't you?" He did not bother speaking in a lower tone.

"Grandpa!" the woman exclaimed.

"We aren't on our own here." Ikki suspected the speaker to be the woman's brother.

"Bah!" There was a derisive snort from the old man. Obviously he did not take his grandchildren's warning seriously. Maybe he thinks this is no business of mine, and he's right, Ikki thought with clinical detachment.

"Grandpa," another voice cajoled - the man with glasses, no doubt. "I'm just coming to visit you, that's all. Mother and I worry so about you. What do you think you're doing, living all alone in the middle of nowhere like this? Come and live with us in Tokyo. We will take good care of you. You can also bring your books with you, so you won't get bored..."

The woman cut in, "Quit it, Ryohei. Who are you kidding? You came here in a fancy car so that we'd think you were making money. Well, Tatsuro and I knew all about your gambling debts. You need Grandpa to mention you in his will so that you can pay your debts and gamble some more."

Ikki stole a glance over his shoulder. Ryohei was going red. "Watch what you're saying, Aya."

"Quiet!" their grandfather growled. That old geezer must have been keeping himself fit, otherwise his lungs couldn't have produced such a sound, Ikki mused.

"Aya is right, Grandpa," Tatsuro, Aya's brother, spoke up. "Don't give anything to Ryohei. He'll only squander it away."

Ryohei's color heightened. "What about you, are you some sort of a holy man? You've been having an affair for years and your wife doesn't know a thing - she has no idea that you've kept your slut on an apartment nearby..."

Tatsuro went pallid. "You scum - "

"Enough!" boomed the old man, and Ikki had to admire his lungs once again. "If any of you talk any more crap I'll have Kunihiko throw you out." Ikki wondered if the butler would be up to the task - he was certainly no Tatsumi, who was strong and solid like an oak tree. The old man went on, "We will all have dinner now and after that, every one of you go to bed. No objection."

"Grandpa, we are not four-year-olds," Ryohei said disgustedly.

"Then don't act like four-year-olds. Kunihiko, set the table now."

Kunihiko, who had been standing behind his master, said, "Very well, Sire," and left.

The old man jerked his chin at Ikki. "You can dine here with us," he said, none too politely.

"Thanks," replied Ikki, equally brusque. He knew the three grandchildren were giving him cold stares, but he did not care. He would not be long in this house anyhow. Let them squabble over the old man's will.

The old man, whom Ikki heard Kunihiko addressed as "Hatsugi-sama", dined heartily, pointedly oblivious to his grandchildren's furtive glimpses at him and at each other. Conversation was restricted to salt passing, and Aya was icily polite to Ryohei. Ikki, who thought the food superb, could not care less about the cousins' attitude. It was no concern of his.

The last of the dishes were cleared away. Hatsugi and his grandchildren retired, while Kunihiko said to Ikki, "This way, if you please, sir."

The room given to him was spacious though rather dusty. Kunihiko had put a basin of hot water and dry towels on the bedside table. Ikki thanked him absently. Kunihiko slipped out like an unobtrusive shadow.

Ikki washed his face with the hot water, divested himself of his damp clothes and went to bed. He lay awake for some time, thinking about Shun and the others. Shun may be worrying where I could be, he thought. Well, I'll return first thing tomorrow. There's no need to stay here - I mean, look at those people. Crossing daggers over some cash.

He was drifting into sleep when a high-pitched shriek shred the silence to pieces. Jolted, Ikki leaped out of bed. The shriek was startlingly loud and close. He shrugged himself into his clothes and went out.

The room opposite his was wide open. Aya was swaying on the threshold, one hand clutching at the doorjamb. There was the sound of running feet, and Ryohei and Kunihiko emerged. Ryohei looked a bit disoriented, while Kunihiko's face was calm. Both men raced over to Aya.

"What is it?" Ryohei asked urgently.

Aya staggered back - rather theatrically, thought the detached Ikki - and waved a trembling hand at the room. Ikki looked into the room. Sprawled on the floor facedown was Tatsuro. He was very still and the back of his pajamas was stained with crimson.

Kunihiko murmured something inaudible, while Ryohei entered the room. He knelt next to Tatsuro, pressing a finger against his neck. "He's dead," he said after a while.

"Dead?" Aya positively wailed. "He can't be! Tatsuro...Tatsurooo..." Her voice rose a full octave. All she had to do, Ikki reflected, was clasp her hands on her bosom and the picture would be complete. Aya looked as if she would collapse, and Kunihiko supported her with an arm across her back. "Tatsuro..." Aya's voice tapered into silent sobs.

"Who could have done this?" Ikki heard Kunihiko say in a low, mystified voice.

At that time Hatsugi hobbled near. Ikki suspected that he had come late because he could not move as fast as the others. "What's all that noise?" he demanded.

"Grandpa!" Aya flung herself into his arms. Ikki saw that, despite his frail frame, the old man caught her steadily. "Grandpa, Tatsuro is dead...he's murdered!"

"Murdered?" Hatsugi turned to his butler.

Kunihiko nodded. Ryohei, who had come out of the room, stood beside him. "Aya-sama found him..." Kunihiko said, gesturing at the body on the floor.

"I was going to have a talk with him - and when I opened the door, there he was..." Aya sniffled.

Ikki was observing everyone's expression. Hatsugi was stricken, Kunihiko bewildered, and Ryohei somewhat dazed. Any of them could be a good actor - or a good actress. He shot a look at Aya, who was still sobbing in her grandfather's arms. To him her grief seemed a little overdone, but maybe that was how she usually showed it. He did not know her well enough to judge.

"What do we do now?" Ryohei said in a slow tone.

"Let's put him on the bed and clean the wound," Kunihiko suggested.

"No, don't!" Aya cried, lifting her head from Hatsugi's bony shoulder. "The police will want to look for fingerprints - we shouldn't touch anything..." Her words were swallowed by a fresh convulsive sob.

Hatsugi frowned. Then he beckoned at Kunihiko. "Kunihiko, please lock the door. We'll all go to sleep now. It's still raining hard outside. In the morning we'll go to the local police and report this. In the meantime - I guess we just leave things as they are." He turned to Ikki. "That goes for you too."

Ikki was rather offended to be spoken to thus, as though he was a simple person. "I know," he answered with as much sarcasm as he could muster.

Hatsugi was saying to Aya, "Aya, stop it. You're not helping us any by throwing a scene." He sounded annoyed. It occurred to Ikki that his grandson's death did not affect him much. If anything, Hatsugi seemed to find it a disturbance. Aya wiped her eyes and nose with her sleeve and disengaged herself from Hatsugi. Hatsugi jerked his thumb at the room. "Kunihiko, lock the door and let's all get back to bed."

Ryohei shuffled away, followed by Aya. Ikki returned to his own room. He could hear Kunihiko close the door, and Hatsugi's distant voice telling Aya to hush. Aya replied brokenly, to which Ryohei countered. Their voices gradually receded. Ikki sat down at the edge of his bed.

Who could have killed Tatsuro? If someone had sneaked into his room and done him in, would it be possible for Ikki not to hear? Tatsuro's room was right across the corridor. He had not caught any suspicious sound from there, either. All had been quiet until Aya screamed.

This must have something to do with Hatsugi's money, but I'm damned if I worry myself over it, Ikki said to himself. I'll be gone tomorrow. Let the police solve this, it's their job. With that decision in mind, he pulled the blanket over him and soon fell asleep.

The atmosphere at the breakfast table was strained. Aya mostly pushed her food around her plate, sniffing from time to time. Ryohei ate very little. Only Hatsugi savored his meal with relish. Ikki had a suspicion that the old man might have killed Tatsuro himself, so unperturbed was he. Or it could simply be that there had never been any love lost between him and his deceased grandson, and that Tatsuro's death affected him the way the price of coffee in Iceland affected Ikki.

Kunihiko bowed to him after Ikki finished his breakfast. "If you please, sir, let me drive you to the bus station on my way to fetch the local police."

"Thank you." The sooner he got out of this house, the better for him. Even Shun's cat seemed preferable by a long shot.

"Goodbye, young man," said Hatsugi, dabbing at his mouth with his napkin.

Ikki bowed without replying, and followed Kunihiko out.

He was going out of the front door when he heard the butler gasp. Ikki ran to find out what was wrong. Kunihiko was staring at the three cars parked outside, their hoods beaded with last night's rain. All the tires had been slashed to hell. Kunihiko turned to Ikki with open dismay.

This new development was totally unexpected for Ikki. He had counted on the butler to take him to the main road at least. Sure, he could walk there on his own, but he was not familiar with this area. He did not want to risk getting lost for the second time.

"Are there any spare tires?" he asked Kunihiko.

Kunihiko shook his head. "Only two of them."

So whoever was behind this did not want any witness to escape. Ikki was not in the least bit concerned about his safety. If Tatsuro's murderer wanted to shut him up, Ikki would be glad to share his Hou Yoku Ten Shou. However, being trapped in a house against his free will was not to his liking at all.

"Which one is your master's?" Ikki asked.

Kunihiko motioned at one of the two battered old cars. A thought went into Ikki's mind: If Hatsugi was so rich someone was willing to kill to get his money, why was his car so old?

"And the other two cars are..."

"This one belongs to Ryohei-sama," Kunihiko tapped at the gleaming new car. He gestured at the other one. "That one is Aya-sama's. She and her brother came in it yesterday."

Ikki nodded. "I suggest you'd better put your master's car in priority."

Hatsugi, Ryohei and Aya all looked when he re-entered with Kunihiko. Probably wondering why I'm still around, Ikki thought. Which one is not surprised that I'm still here, and how do I find out?

"Why haven't you left?" Hatsugi said.

Rude old coot, Ikki mused. "I'd love to, but I can't. Somebody ruined the tired of all three cars. Maybe it was your grandson's murderer."

Aya emitted a gasp that sounded too artificial to be genuine fright. "Grandpa! Surely we can't let Tatsuro lie in his room a minute longer! I don't care what the police may say, I want to bury him now!" Without waiting for response she jumped off her chair, almost knocking it off, and dashed upstairs. From the corner of one eye, Ikki noticed Kunihiko whispering in his master's ear.

Ikki strode close at Aya's heel, not wanting her to do anything to get rid of evidences - if she was indeed the murderer. She did not look the murderer type to him, but as he had realized earlier, he knew very little of her. To his surprise she ignored him completely, and did not spare him a glance as he followed her. Either she was innocent or she had disposed of all traces that could prove her guilt. Behind him, Ryohei and Hatsugi ran to keep pace, Ryohei shouting at Aya, telling her not to act rashly.

Aya, having reached Tatsuro's bedroom, flung the door open. She uttered another loud gasp. Ikki immediately saw that the room was empty. Tatsuro was nowhere to be seen. Even the floor was spotless: the blood had been wiped clean.

"What is it now?" Ryohei said. He looked at the empty room and his eyes narrowed. "Where is Tatsuro?"

The entire thing was very mysterious, and Ikki found himself beginning to feel intrigued. If he could unravel this mystery and expose the murderer, that would be an interesting diversion. The problem was, there were so many pieces of the puzzle and none of them seemed to fit the other. He decided to think it over later.

Hatsugi, who had also taken a glance at the room, was saying to Aya and Ryohei, "We can't do a thing now. Let's just wait till Kunihiko finishes fixing the car, and then the police can investigate." He turned to Ikki. "I'm sorry your departure has to be delayed." I just bet you are, Ikki thought wryly. "Please feel free to stay until Kunihiko can drive you out."

Ikki strode casually over to where Kunihiko was squatting next to Hatsugi's car. "Can the car run with only two sound tires?"

Kunihiko armed perspiration off his brow. His sallow face peered up at Ikki. "I hope so, sir. Besides, the local police station is less than three miles away. Maybe somebody there can lend us two more spare tires."

"I see. Kunihiko, you did lock Tatsuro's door last night after we all left, didn't you?"

"Yes." Kunihiko frowned. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I was just wondering. When Aya opened it a few minutes ago, it wasn't locked."

When Kunihiko replied, his words were slow and measured, "What are you hinting at, sir?"

"I'm not accusing you of hiding Tatsuro's body, if that's what you have in mind. Where did you put the key anyway?"

"In the kitchen. I put all the household keys there."

"Is it surprising for you, Kunihiko? That your master's grandson was murdered, and that his corpse is missing?"

Kunihiko looked serious. "Sir, Hatsugi-sama doesn't have as much money as his grandchildren seem to think. You see this car? He bought it twenty years ago, when I first entered his service. He hasn't had any new car since. And he's living here because this is the only house he can afford to keep. But his grandchildren all hope to be given a generous sum in my master's will. Well, he hasn't much to give, and that's the truth. If Tatsuro-sama was murdered so that more people would have the chance to get more money, it's a waste." His eyes clouded.

"You're very devoted to Hatsugi, aren't you?"

"He never has reason to question that, sir, and neither does anyone else." Kunihiko's face became blank. "I'm not supposed to talk about my master's private life with a complete stranger."

"If it'll help me find the murderer, I don't see why not."

"I appreciate it, sir, but I'd rather leave it to the police." With that, Kunihiko ended the conversation.

Ikki went to the second floor. No one was in sight. Hatsugi was in his study, and Ikki suspected Aya and Ryohei to be with him. He looked cautiously around before slipping into Tatsuro's room.

Tatsuro's window was shut, as it had been last night, if Ikki's memory served him right. Could the murderer have climbed through this window then made his exit likewise, carrying Tatsuro's body? It sounded like an impossible thing to do. Aya could not possibly have done that, except if she possessed strength surpassing that of an ordinary woman. Even Ryohei would have a hard time. Ikki gazed down on the floor at the exact spot where Tatsuro's body had been discovered. Since the porcelain floor was not carpeted, it would be easy to clean the blood in a hurry.

He exited the room. Shun must be wondering where he was right now. Never mind, Kunihiko was almost done with the car. Once he was out of this house, Ikki had no intention to ever return.

"Come in," said Hatsugi's strong voice.

Ikki entered the study, leaving the door ajar. Hatsugi was sitting behind a large mahogany desk. As he had guessed, Aya and Ryohei were also there. They watched with undisguised dislike as he took his seat without being told to.

"What do you want, young man?" asked Hatsugi.

"Isn't the more polite way to address someone is by calling his name?"

"All right. What is your name?"

"I'll be going in an hour, so I don't think you need to know."

"Get to the point," Ryohei cut in.

Ikki threw him a glimpse. "Why are you so tense? Are you afraid the murderer will pick you next?"

Aya wrung her hands. It amused Ikki that she seemed to think the murder was a TV drama and she the helpless heroine. "Why did the murderer feel it necessary to dispose of Tatsuro's body?" she asked no one in particular. "Are his fingerprints all over the body or something? Poor Tatsuro."

"I believe Tatsuro is alive and well," Ikki said.

All three pairs of eyes were instantly on him. Hatsugi rose slowly from his swivel-tilter chair. "Explain yourself," he commanded.

"Correct me if I'm wrong." Ikki spoke fast to prevent interruption. "Tatsuro's room is right across mine. Last night I didn't hear Aya knock or call him, yet she said she came to have a chat. My logic tells me that first she had to knock, and, when she got no answer, open the door to see him on the floor, et cetera. Then after his body was discovered, Kunihiko locked the door. But this morning Aya opened the door without the slightest difficulty. That meant either Kunihiko had forgotten to lock the door, or it's been unlocked sometime before this morning. Next thing we knew, the body was missing."

Hatsugi's face turned stony, Aya's fretful. Ryohei fixed Ikki with a shrewd eye. "You're only conjecturing so far, but go on." There was a mocking edge in his words.

Ikki ignored him. "Tatsuro's room is on the second floor. It'll be a difficult job to climb in through the window and carry the corpse out. The other way out is the door. But since the door was locked from the outside, someone had to unlock it first. Kunihiko told me he put the key in the kitchen, and anyone at all could take it."

"Maybe it was Kunihiko," said Hatsugi.

"Would you believe that of your butler?"

Hatsugi shook his head. "I knew Kunihiko. He's a very loyal man, and he wouldn't be able to commit murder. I swear it on my soul." His sincerity made Ikki raise his eyebrows.

"As I was saying, anyone could take the key and enter Tatsuro's room. I just examined Tatsuro's room recently. The floor was very clean. That set me to thinking that maybe Tatsuro had wiped the blood himself."

Aya, predictably, gasped. "So Tatsuro is not dead?"

"Ryohei was the one checking for his pulse last night. If Tatsuro wasn't dead then, it can only mean Ryohei is part of this conspiracy. But then I remembered that I didn't hear Aya knock before she screamed fit to wake the dead. Could it be that the three of them are in this together?"

Ryohei's color was mounting. "That's crap. Nothing but wild estimations. Grandpa, you're not listening to this madman, are you?" His fists were bunched. Ikki's eyes flicked over to them, unafraid.

"I need proof," Hatsugi said archly.

"Where is Aya and Ryohei's rooms? Do you know?"

"Ryohei's is next to mine. Aya's is on the other side of the house."

"Aya, did you open Tatsuro's door for him?" Ikki asked point-blank.

Before Aya could reply, Ryohei moved threateningly toward Ikki. "I'll have no more of this, you..."

"Ryohei, be quiet!" barked his grandfather. Ryohei froze. Hatsugi looked at Ikki. "How can you be sure it was Aya and not Ryohei?"

"Are you a light sleeper?"

"Yes. Most old folks are."

"There you are. If Ryohei had sneaked out of his room, wouldn't you have at least sensed it? Aya, on the other hand, had more opportunity to do as she pleased. Who slashed the tires, Aya? You or Tatsuro?"

"Don't say anything, Aya!" Ryohei said quickly. "He won't..." He faltered, realizing his blunder.

Hatsugi's look made him quail. "So it is true, Ryohei? This is all a trick?"

"Grandpa!" Aya said, and burst into what Ikki supposed to be real tears.

"A nice plan," said Ikki. "Too bad you didn't modify it at the last minute, considering that an uninvited guest has come."

Ryohei was sinking into the nearest chair, shaking. "Grandpa - please let me explain."

"I'd like you to."

"I have heavy gambling debts, and my new car is just a loan. The Yakuza have been like my shadow for the past couple of weeks - they want me to pay them fast. And Tatsuro's mistress is asking him for more money, otherwise she'll tell his wife."

Suddenly Aya lunged at Hatsugi, a glinting object in her hand. Ikki moved fast across the room - Aya's attack was child's play to him, considering his training and battle experience. In one movement he had grabbed Aya's wrist and twisted it, forcing her to drop the knife. Still holding her wrist, he pinned her onto the desk's surface with his hands and kept her there.

Hatsugi went pale. "Ryohei, Aya - what's the meaning of this?"

"You stupid old son of a bitch!" Aya shrilled. Ikki now saw that the mask she had been wearing had been ripped off. Here was the real Aya, violent and single-minded.

"Aya..." Ryohei pleaded.

"Shut up, coward!" Aya spat at him. "You never have the guts or the brain to do anything! Tatsuro and I have to do it all for you! Let me go, you rotten bastard!" The last sentence was directed to Ikki, who still had her under restraint.

Tears misted Ryohei's glasses. "Grandpa, it's all their idea."

"Explain," rapped Hatsugi, having regained his composure.

Ryohei sniffed. "Tatsuro was to play dead first, then me and Aya. After that, we...we..." His words wilted away.

"After that it's to be your turn!" shouted Aya.

Splotches of color stood out on Hatsugi's face. "What?"

"Yes, you! Don't say you only have this house and nothing else! You have bank accounts all over the globe, only you're too much of a miser to ever spend it! After you're dead we're going to search for the account numbers and let's see you stop us from your grave!"

Hatsugi sat down as though all strength had deserted him.

Ryohei was half sobbing, "Grandpa...the plan is to convince Kunihiko that a maniac killer is stalking this house. That way the police won't suspect us of having -having done you in. We're supposed to be this killer's victims anyway. Kunihiko is supposed to tell the police that the killer has murdered your grandchildren, then you..."

"And I, a stranger, happen to come along," Ikki said flatly. "A perfect scapegoat I'd make."

"We don't intend to involve you. If you're lucky, the police won't even suspect you. It will just be - a family business."

"You are all insane," Hatsugi whispered. He now looked very much his age, shriveled and tired. "I don't have any bank account worth killing for. Wherever did you hear that?"

"Don't you dare lie to us!" yelled Aya.

"I'm not lying." Hatsugi passed a gnarled hand across his forehead. "Where is Tatsuro now?"

"In the basement. He'll be out when it's safe." Ryohei turned an imploring face at Aya. "Aya, can't we forget all this - I've told you it'd never work..."

Ikki thought he detected a small sound coming from the door, but it might have been his imagination. Aya was still struggling to break free, her wild eyes burning as she stared at her grandfather. "You fall for that old trick? He does have bank accounts, Ryohei! We'll find their number as soon as he's dead!"

"Do I have to hold her all day long?" Ikki interposed.

Hatsugi closed his eyes. "Lock her in her room. Kunihiko will have finished with the car now. The police will be here soon." His voice was not as robust as it used to be.

Ikki shepherded Aya to her room and locked the door, deaf to her curses and name-calling. Then he, Hatsugi and Ryohei went together to the basement. Ryohei was white and silent, while Hatsugi was simply grim. Ikki thought the old man had a lot of gumption, but refrained from praising him. A praise would not do Hatsugi much good right now.

They met Kunihiko on the front door. Ikki noticed that the butler was slightly flustered, but his manners were impeccable as usual. "The car has been repaired, sir," Kunihiko said to Hatsugi.

"That's good," Hatsugi replied absently. "Have it ready, Kunihiko, you will be leaving in a minute."

"Certainly, sir." Kunihiko bowed.

Hatsugi led Ikki and Ryohei to the basement. He switched on the light and pushed the door open. On the floor, lying among discarded boxes and other things, was Tatsuro. A kitchen knife protruded from his chest, while blood soaked his clothes and spread around him. He was, unquestionably, dead.

"Niisan!" Shun exclaimed as Ikki entered the kitchen. "Where have you been?" He was facing a canvas with his palette in one hand. The kitchen was for Shun an ideal studio, since the view from the window was a rich source inspiration for poems and paintings.

"I'll tell you later. Has that cat gone yet?"

Shun laughed. "Yes, it has. Apparently it doesn't like being cooped up. Too bad, I was about to immortalize it."

"Better luck next time. I want to have some rest now. Wake me up when it's dinnertime."

"Okay, Niisan."

Once in his room, Ikki's mind returned to Hatsugi and his grandchildren. In a way he pitied the old man. Peace in old age was hard to come by, especially with a granddaughter like Aya. Well, the local police had had her and Ryohei detained. That should be a relief.

Who could have killed Tatsuro - killed him for real, that was? It was not even remotely possible that Tatsuro had committed suicide. The police was still puzzling over that one.

Is that Kunihiko's revenge? Ikki asked himself, recalling that the door of the study had been left ajar and he had caught a sound there, right after Ryohei said where Tatsuro was. It could be, as a payback because the grandchildren plotted to kill his master. I think he went to the basement and stabbed Tatsuro, which he may think as Tatsuro's - maybe also Aya and Ryohei's - just desserts. But Kunihiko doesn't strike me as someone who could do murder. Guess I'll never know. That was a house full of hate, and I'm glad I'll never see it again.

He lay down on his bed, still thinking. Soon pleasant sleepiness won and he gave in to it.