Koushiro

Koushiro! Part 6

Mr. Kido was sitting in the park, holding his head in his hands.

"Ah me! I've been married to Megan for two weeks and I thought she was a woman of secret wealth and tender heart, but it turns out she possesses but a single silver teapot and a terrible temper. From the moment we walked down the isle I stepped out of the chapel into Help me please!" Mr. Kido said, praying to the heavens.

"Well, are you just going to sit there all night? Where's this person we're going to meet?" Miss Megan asked.

"The message she sent clearly stated she would meet us here at eight and I am going to sit here as long as I think proper. Such is my privilege.

Your privilege? Humph!" Miss Megan said, sitting down beside Mr. Kido. Miss Monks crossed quickly to the park.

"Mr. Jyou Kido?' Miss Monks asked.

"Yes?" Mr. Kido responded.

"You are the master of the workhouse?" Miss Monks asked.

"Yes ma'am I am. Are you the lady who sent the message?" Asked Mr. Kido.

"Yes. Who is this?" Miss Monks asked.

"His wife ma'am. Matron of the workhouse." Miss Megan said.

"Very well. I am seeking information. If you can tell me what I want to know, I'll pay you well." Miss Monks offered.

"Indeed? Won't you take a seat?' Mr. Kido offered.

"Carry your memory back ten years last winter. A boy was born in your workhouse who was later apprenticed to a coffin-maker, but ran away to Tokyo." Miss Monks said.

"Why you mean young Koushiro!" Mr. Kido said.

'Yes, but what of the old woman who nursed his mother. Where can I find her?" Miss Monks asked.

"Old Sally? Why, she died a week ago." Miss Megan said.

"Died? Then I've wasted my time!" Miss Monks said angrily and got up to leave.

"Wait! I was with Old Sally when she died!" Miss Megan said.

"Did she tell you about something the boy's mother had with her when she died?" Miss Monks asked eagerly.

"Perhaps. What's this information worth to you?" Miss Megan asked slyly.

"200 yen." Miss Monks offered.

"Make it 350, and let me see it first." Miss Megan ordered. Miss Monks forked over a 300-yen bill and a 50-yen bill.

"Now tell me what you know." Miss Monks ordered.

"Before Old Sally died she spoke of a gold locket." Miss Megan said.

"Yes, yes! The gold locket. Where is it now?" Miss Monks asked.

"I have it. I was going to see what I could get for it in Tokyo." Miss Megan said, taking a bundle of cloth with the locket wrapped inside from her pocket.

"Yes! This is what I want!" Miss Monks said snatching the locket from her hands.

"But I-" Miss Megan said before Miss Monks cut her off.

"You have 350 yen for it. In five minutes this locket will be tossed into the river, and with it all proof of the true identity of the child called Koushiro. The inheritance is as good as mine. I warn you, keep a quiet tongue in your heads for your own good. I promise, you'll never hear of the boy again." Miss Monks said and went off to Tokyo River.

"First he runs away from the Sowerberrys now some woman wants some information about him. I hope that's the last we hear of Koushiro." Mr. Kido said.

"Perhaps, but it may not be the last that woman hears of us. Come along, we'll miss our bus home." Miss Megan said. She and Mr. Bumble went down the street to the bus stop and Gennai and Mimi emerged from an alley and crossed to Miss Sellers' bookstore.

"We mustn't give up our search. Perhaps Miss Sellers invited him to supper." Mimi said.

"My dear, I'm sure this search is hopeless, but as your are so insistent….." Gennai said and knocked on the door of the bookshop.

"Please don't be upset with me sir. I simply can't believe that Koushiro has deceived us." Mimi said.

"I'm sorry, but the shop is closed. Oh! Gennai! It's you and Miss Mimi." Miss Sellers said as she opened the door.

"Yes, Miss Sellers. Is Koushiro here?" Gennai asked.

"Koushiro? Why no." Miss Sellers said.

"Was he here earlier? I sent him here with some books." Gennai asked, refusing to give up hope.

"No sir. I haven't seen him. Perhaps he lost his way. I hope there's nothing wrong." Miss Sellers answered.

"No, no. I'm sorry to have troubled you Miss Sellers. Good night." Gennai said.

"Good night. I hope you find the boy soon. It's very late." Miss Sellers said and closed the door.

"Let that good lady remain ignorant of the truth. Come Mimi. We will search no further." Gennai said.

"But Koushiro wouldn't leave us of his own free will." Mimi said.

"You must forget him my dear." Gennai said kindly.

"Mr. Gennai! Wait!" Sora said, rushing up to him.

"What is it?" Gennai asked, startled.

"I must speak to you. Quickly, step over here out of the streets." Sora said as she led him over to the park benc.

"What is the meaning of this?" Gennai asked.

"Please sit down sir. I am risking both my life and the lives of others by speaking to you. Please forgive me sir, but I am the one who led young Koushiro away tonight." Sora explained as she sat down.

"You led him away? Why? Where is he now?" Gennai asked, sitting down beside Sora.

"Is he safe? Oh say that he is safe." Mimi asked, sitting down beside Gennai.

"As safe as he can he among thieves." Sora explained.

"Then it is true! I wish to hear no more!" Gennai said.

"But you must hear me sir. There are those who would murder me if they knew I was here." Sora said, looking around nervously.

"Murder? What do you mean?" Asked Gennai.

"Oliver is being kept against his will by a man called Taichi. This man forced me to keep watch on your house and then kidnap the boy when he went out alone. You must understand sir, that the boy is innocent of any crime." Sora explained.

"Taichi! Yes, Koushiro told me of him. I want to believe you but…" Gennai said.

"You must believe me sir or the boy is lost!" Sora said.

"Gennai sir, please. We must get him back." Mimi pleaded.

"Yes. I see that I have been mislead. But what can we do?" Gennai asked.

"First, tell me, do you know a young woman named Miss Monks?" Sora asked.

"Miss Monks? No." Gennai responded.

"She knows you very well. I've overheard her talking to Taichi. If he makes Koushiro a thief, Miss Monks will pay Taichi an obscenely large sum of money." Sora explained.

"Make Taichi a thief? Why, this is monstrous! Who is this Miss Monks." Gennai asked.

"I don't know, for she is not one of us." Sora explained.

"Can you describe her to me?" Gennai asked.

"She's rather tall and dark and always dresses in black. And she has a wide scar on her neck, about here." Sora said, pointing to the spot of Miss Monks' scar.

"A scar on her neck, like a burn or a scald?" Gennai asked.

"Yes. Do you recognize her?" Sora asked.

"It can't be… and yet, it's possible. If it is who I think, we mustn't wait a moment in rescuing Koushiro." Gennai said.

"Will you promise that I won't be watched or followed tonight or any other time?" Asked Sora.

"Very well." Gennai said.

"Meet me here Sunday night between eleven and twelve. If I can, I'll bring Koushiro to you." Sora promised.

"Must we wait until Sunday? Can you do nothing sooner?" Mimi asked.

"No, and if I'm discovered, you'll never see either of us alive again." Sora said.

"We will trust you. But won't you tell me where this Taichi can be found?" Gennai asked.

"Never! Devil that he is, I could never betray him." Sora shrieked, recoiling.

"Then put Miss Monks into my hands and let me deal with her." Gennai said.

" I can't. She might turn on us and tell all she knows." Sora explained.

"But I must find her. I promise that none of your friends will be brought to justice by my hand." Gennai promised.

"For the boy's sake, I must believe you. You will find Miss Monks at an inn called the Three Cripples. Now I must go." Sora said and ran down an alley.

"My dear Mimi. If you hadn't believed in Koushiro, we would have never known this. My interest in him grows greater by the minute. Tomorrow I will make some more inquiries. This Miss Monks, yes, and the portrait. It makes sense now. Mimi, you may figure in this matter more than you realize." Gennai said.

"I, sir?" Mimi asked.

"Yes. Come my dear. I can't explain it all now. We must wait until Sunday!" Gennai said. He and Mimi began the long trip back to the Gennai estate.