I. Parker - Death of a Doll Maker

The mayor cast a glance at his companion and said cautiously, “His Excellency, Governor Tachibana was a connoisseur and collector of art. He was anxious about shipping his art home and feared the summer storms. Mr. Feng could tell you more about his collection.”

Akitada looked at the Chinese merchant who smiled expectantly. “I had the pleasure of visiting your fine store yesterday, Mr. Feng. A young man showed me an extraordinary painting of a Chinese village. I also found some charming dolls to send to my children.”

If Feng was startled by this information, he handled it well. With a bow, he expressed himself deeply honored but devastated that he had not known of the governor’s visit. “Perhaps, if you’d advise me of your next visit, Excellency, I’ll be able to show you other wonderful things.”

“Thank you, Mr. Feng. I look forward to it.” Akitada turned back to the mayor. “What sort of administrator was Governor Tachibana? Did you find him easy to work with?”

The mayor shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t think any of us experienced any problems while he was governor.” He glanced at the other guests. “Does anyone here know of difficulties?” They all shook their heads.” Nakamura laughed a little nervously. “This is a peaceful place nowadays, Excellency. Nothing much happens here as a rule.”

Akitada raised his brows. “Really? I hear about violent men roaming the streets and attacking children. And my assistant managed to walk in on a murder investigation the very day I sent him to inspect Hakata’s police headquarters. For some reason, the chief, a Captain Okata, objected to his interest. He seemed to be under the impression local crime was not the business of the provincial tribunal.”

This produced an awkward silence.

Finally, Nakamura said, “Sometimes Okata can be very rude. I’ve said so myself. The fact is the district magistrate is in Hakata. Police headquarters are under his supervision. The provincial administration hasn’t operated as a tribunal for a long time.”

Feng added, “Okata is a good officer, a person of rank. Governor Tachibana had every faith in him. Perhaps he misunderstood a question.”

Akitada was still digesting the fact that the entire law enforcement for Chikuzen seemed to be located in Hakata and under Captain Okata. He considered Feng’s comment and nodded. “It’s possible. I shall have a talk with him myself.”

A light touch on his sleeve reminded him of the woman beside him. Fragrant Orchid extended a cup of wine to him. Her eyes were downcast, and she was flushed. It occurred to him that he had been unnecessarily rude by not paying her more attention. He said, “Forgive me. You have been very patient with me. It has been a long time since I’ve had such charming company.”

She glanced up with a quick smile and offered the wine with both hands. Her scent was quite heavy, stirring and warming his blood, perhaps because he knew why she was here. Hers was a flawless beauty of large, liquid eyes and full, moist lips. Like elegant women everywhere, she used make-up, whitening her skin and outlining her eyes with black. The paint enhanced her features and gave her an air of mystery. He said more gently, “Business all too often intervenes when we should relax and enjoy the beauties of this world.”

She dimpled and murmured back, “How painful that only the wine reminded you of me.”

He sipped without looking away from those strange eyes. “Not so. Rather my duties have blinded me momentarily.”

The mayor beside him chuckled. “I wondered when your Excellency would begin to enjoy the evening. Here comes the food. I hope our poor fare is not too humble for your taste.”

The atmosphere in the room relaxed considerably. The musicians struck up another tune, and the other guests chatted or flirted with the women beside them. Waiters passed around on silent feet, placing tray tables with dishes of food before each guest. Mouthwatering smells began to fill the room. The musicians struck up a new tune, and outside the moon had risen in the night sky, silvering the river below and the roof tops of the city beyond.

Akitada considered Fragrant Orchid’s attractions. Her name was apt, but then it was likely a professional one. She was tall for a woman, but graceful, and beneath the diaphanous pale green silk, her breasts were firm and full, her waist surprisingly small, and her hips and thighs softly rounded and inviting. She was a very desirable woman.

It struck him that his physical pleasure in her was stimulated by many different senses. His eyes feasted on her beauty as much as they had on the moon-silvered landscape outside, his ears absorbed the sound of her voice like the very pleasant music, his nose was simultaneously teased by her musky scent and the aroma of the dainty dishes before him, and his tongue yet tasted the sweetness of the wine while yearning to taste her lips. He was strongly aroused.

As if reading his thoughts, she gave him a sidelong smile.

He pulled himself together and asked, “Did you by any chance meet my predecessor?”

Perhaps it was his imagination, but he thought his question upset her. For a moment her eyes left his to glance away. Then she said calmly, “Yes. I enjoyed his acquaintance. His Excellency was a most learned, considerate, and polite gentleman.”

He was embarrassed. “And I am not. You haven’t forgiven me.”

“Perhaps I shall when I know you better.”

Boldly, he suggested, “A promise and an offer?”

She nodded, smiling.

He felt ridiculously flattered and excited. Since he did not trust himself to say anything else, he turned to his food. To his relief, nobody seemed to have noticed the flirtatious exchange. The conversation among the guests ranged from an upcoming festival to rumors of the discovery of gold in Osumi province. Akitada listened and asked a question about the gold, but no one seemed to know particulars.

Toward the end of the banquet, the mayor suddenly recalled Akitada’s earlier comment. “About this murder, Excellency,” he said. “No need to trouble yourself about it. The dead woman was just the wife of a doll maker. The husband did it. Okata has a confession.”

Akitada reflected that apparently the murders of women, especially if they were the wives of mere doll makers, were not considered important enough to disturb the peace of mind of the mayor or have an impact on the Hakata community. He became morose again, but nothing else of interest was said, and he was more relieved than disappointed when his beauteous companion and the other females took their leave. Some of the guests were already drunk and snatched at the hands and skirts of the departing women. The musicians packed up their instruments, and the mayor rose to thank him and the other guests for coming. Akitada expressed his own gratitude for the luxurious entertainment, and the others applauded.

And so the evening ended. Akitada walked down the wide stairs first, the mayor behind him.

Waiting at the bottom was a child, a little girl in a colorful silk gown and embroidered jacket, a miniature version of the beautiful Fragrant Orchid except that her hair was only shoulder-length. She looked almost exactly like the doll Akitada had bought for his daughter. For that matter, she was only slightly older than Yasuko but apparently already in the trade.

She made him a very deep bow and held up a folded note on scented paper dusted with flecks of gold. He took it, asking, “Is this for me? Who sent you, child?”

But she only smiled an enchanting smile and ran out of the restaurant. The mayor caught up and chortled. “Congratulations, Excellency. Our most famous beauty likes you. She rarely gives invitations.”

Akitada suppressed his embarrassment and left quickly.