I. Parker - Death of a Doll Maker

She looked at the money. Tears rose to her eyes. “Thank you.” Then she looked up at him and added softly, “If you’d like to take your pleasure, I won’t mind.”

Saburo thought he had not heard right. Then he exploded into a curse, took her thin shoulders in his hands, and shook her. She looked terrified and the boy started up with a cry.

Saburo dropped his hands and said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, but you’re just a child. How can you even think of such a thing?”

“I’m nearly fourteen,” she said, her chin raised defiantly. “And you needn’t worry. I’ve been raped before.”

Sickened, Saburo turned away. “Don’t ever do such a thing again, do you hear? Now go to bed. Be careful when you go out tomorrow. Those men may be around. I’ll be back tomorrow evening, but if there’s more trouble, go to Sergeant Maeda at the police station.”

When Akitada woke, Saburo was already moving about his room. Yawning, Akitada sat up. It was light outside, but the long sleep had made him feel rested and energetic. Getting up, he said, “You let me sleep too long,” and went to open the shutters. A small greenish bird perched in the cherry tree, singing in sunshine. When he turned around, he saw that Saburo looked tired. He had removed the false beard and mustache and reapplied fresh makeup. It made him seem unnaturally pale.

“You look terrible,” Akitada announced and sat down at his desk.

Saburo busied himself with making tea. “I just got back, sir.”

“Really? I don’t insist you go without sleep completely. Was it an interesting night?”

“You might say so.”

“Should we talk about it outside?”

“No. I think your private quarters are safe enough these days. Besides what happened has probably nothing to do with smuggling.”

The tea water boiled and Saburo brewed the tea.

“So what happened?” Akitada asked, watching him.

“I found two poor children who’d been attacked by thugs. The girl is only thirteen, and her brother is about nine. There were three of the bastards, and they tried to rape her. I took the children home, if you can call the place home, and then stayed outside to watch in case the men returned.”

“Three grown men trying to rape a child? What kind of place is this? And where were the constables?”

“The children made the mistake of going into a wine shop near the harbor to sell some song birds. They live in a bad part of town, and the hoodlums followed them.” Saburo presented a cup of tea.

Akitada was too angry to drink it. “Everything that has happened so far points to the complete incompetence of Captain Okata. I think I’ll do as Tora suggests and remove him from his post, replacing him with his sergeant.”

Saburo nodded. “I told the children to go to Sergeant Maeda. And I’d like to go back tonight if I may.”

“Yes, but get some sleep first.”

“One of those men was Chinese and had two fingers missing. And he collected something, probably money, from one of the captains of the ships. The missing fingers were on his right hand. The last two. I thought of the man you met at Feng’s store.”

Akitada sat up. “Aha. Yes, it sounds like him. Ugly, big brute?”

Saburo nodded. “I’d like to have a word with him.”

“I don’t like this business about collecting money from ships docking here. Better not tangle with him until we have more information. What about Hayashi?”

“Yes. I almost forgot. He had a meeting. First with Feng and the shrine priest. That took about an hour. Then the priest left and others arrived. Looked like a guild meeting.”

“Interesting.” Akitada finally sipped his tea. “I’m to dine with the mayor tonight. I expect some of those men will be attending. Perhaps I can learn something then.”

Tora came in as Saburo poured a second cup. He had little to report but listened with shocked outrage to Saburo’s tale about the children. “I’ll talk to Maeda,” he offered.

“Not today. You’ve done enough for the local police. Maeda sounds like a good man. Let him work his case. I want you here. Saburo had no sleep last night, and I’m attending the mayor’s banquet tonight.”

To make up for snubbing the Hakata notables, Akitada had taken pains with his appearance. He wore a fine green figured silk robe and white silk trousers. Behind him rode six soldiers from the provincial guard. Because it was a private entertainment, he had dispensed with the flag bearer, but they attracted attention anyway.

The mayor had arranged to have the banquet on the upper floor of a large restaurant overlooking the Mikasa River. Numerous colored paper lanterns hung suspended from the open gallery and could be seen from a distance. Over the door was a gilt inscription identifying it as the ‘Great Happiness’ restaurant.

It looks and sounds like a brothel, Akitada thought sourly. He hated these social occasions.

The ‘Great Happiness” opened its double doors, and he was greeted by waiters in bright red shirts and black trousers who bowed him in and up the stairs into a large room overlooking the river. Outside was the gallery with the colored lanterns swaying softly in the breeze.

A number of well-dressed men greeted him with bows and wishes for good health and a long life. Mayor Nakamura stepped forward, all smiles and rustling dark blue silk. He made introductions, and Akitada tried in vain to match so many names and faces. He did recognize Hayashi, the fat chief of the merchant’s guild, and Feng, the Chinese merchant. He exchanged bows and made polite remarks about Hakata, Minami, Dazaifu, and Kyushu. They requested comparisons to the capital or asked if he had seen the emperor close up. He had not and felt this lowered him in their estimation.

Nakamura eventually led him to a dais where they were to occupy seats of honor. The others took their seats below.

The doors of the room opened to admit a small group of musicians who carried lutes, zithers, and flutes. They took their stand to the side and struck up a light tune. Akitada listened with pleasure to the flute player. He had not played his own flute in many weeks and promised himself to practice soon.

A long line of exquisite young women in colored and diaphanous gowns entered next and dispersed among the guests, each taking her place near one of the men.

Akitada winced when a particularly tall and beautiful creature knelt beside him with a deep bow, announcing softly, “My name is Fragrant Orchid. It will be my pleasure to serve your Excellency tonight.”

So it was to be that kind of party, he thought, merely nodding to her. He disliked such affairs intensely and became morose.

His host leaned closer. “Fragrant Orchid is our leading beauty. I’m told she’s very talented.” He winked.

Words had double meanings. She had offered to serve him tonight, and the mayor had called her very talented. Even without the wink, it was clear that he had been presented with the services of a prostitute. No doubt they knew he had not brought his family and thought him desperate to lie with a woman. Suddenly angry, he ignored his companion and turned to the mayor. “I’m afraid I have brought my work with me tonight. Being a stranger here, I hope you and some of the other gentlemen will share your views on local conditions and problems with me.”

Nakamura looked taken aback, and there was whispering among the others. But then his host smiled and bowed. “Please ask away, Excellency. I hope you will come to enjoy what our city has to offer.” His eyes went meaningfully to Akitada’s female companion.

“Thank you. I’m sure I will.” Akitada did not look at her and continued quickly, “I’ve been surprised that my predecessor was already gone when I arrived. He must have left in a hurry.”