Questions
13 October 1998
by O'donna Dean

"This is not going to be an easy task," Marako said to herself. A murder investigation is one thing, but for so many of the suspects to be daimyo... "We will need to be very careful in the way that we question them."

Marako sat down and started to think about who they would need to question. The group of samurai had already questioned the guards that were on duty, and Ojuno, the personal servant of Retsu-sama. Talking with the old woman had brought up information that was unexpected. Retsu was last seen alive by Daidoji Uji and when they had last met they had fought.

Marako got up and summoned a servant to fetch writing materials. The task of making a list of people to ask would be easier with paper. In a situation like this one we cannot rely on just our minds to keep things straight. The servant returned quickly with what Marako had asked for. She sat back down and started.

The first person that Marako thought that they should talk to was, or course, Daidoji Uji. He was the last one to see Retsu alive, and he had argued with him. Questioning him would not be easy. Ask but not accuse.

"Now what to ask him," Marako wondered aloud. The questions came slowly. What were you arguing with Retsu about? How easy would it have been for you to remove him as daimyo? How do you feel about the death of Retsu? Why were you here at the Bon Festival? Marako knew that these questions would lead to others and she was sure that her companions would have some of their own.

She then went thru all the other names and the questions she would ask them. She was glad that it would not be just her asking questions. Her companions would surely think of thing that she missed.

Taketoshi: What kind of leader do think Takeshi will be? What happened to Retsu's wife?

Takeshi: What happened to your mother? How do you feel about your father's

death?

Ikoma Ujiaki: What kind of actions has Retsu's Army taken at your border lately? If you hate Retsu so much, why did you come to the Bon Festival? Were you the daimyo when Retsu took this area? How do you feel about Retsu's death? What do you think about Takeshi?

Shiba Katsuda: What kind of actions has Retsu's Army taken at your border lately? How do you feel about Retsu's death? What do you think about Takeshi? Why don't you blink? She stared at the last question for a time, then smiled and continued.

Shosuro Takiro: Why did you come to the Bon Festival? How do you know Retsu? Have you ever been to this city before? If so when?

The last person on her list was one that she did not want to even think about. "Why did we have to be asked to investigate?" She knew thought that this person could not be overlooked. For he had a special reason for wanting Retsu dead.

And the name said: Kakita Jinjiro.