I. Parker - Death of a Doll Maker

The Chinese sailors had given up their efforts to get under way, and Akitada and the others boarded well ahead of other boats, bringing more support in case the Chinese made objections.

Feng and a man who must be the ship’s captain awaited them on deck. In the background huddled several women and children huddled under a canopy. Feng was white-faced.

As it turned out, his pallor apparently was due to furious anger rather than fear.

He ignored Maeda, who confronted him with the words, “You’re under arrest,” and addressed himself to Akitada who had followed more slowly.

“This is an outrage, Governor,” he shouted. “My family and I were taking our annual journey to worship at the tombs of our ancestors. This is a deeply spiritual journey for us and we had prepared carefully for it. This rude and disrespectful interruption is upsetting my women and children. Please take your men off this ship. If you insist, I’ll come ashore to answer whatever questions you may have.”

Maeda was about to respond equally angrily, but Akitada raised a hand. “Let it be so,” he said. “We do not make war on women and children. Come with us now, and you may return to your family as soon as you have satisfied the investigators. Lieutenant Maeda will stay on board with his men to look for a fugitive.”

Maeda stiffened into a salute, but from his set features, Akitada knew he did not like the order. Akitada not only hoped the search would turn up the thug Ling, but needed to make certain the Chinese ship did not leave Hakozaki harbor without causing a political incident with China.

Akitada took Feng back to Hakata. There, in Maeda’s office in police headquarters, with Saburo and a police scribe in attendance, and began his questioning.

Having been treated with a modicum of courtesy, Feng relaxed. “It is my pleasure to help your Excellency and the police in every way I can,” he said. “I’ve said so before. You had but to ask.”

Akitada smiled coldly. “Good. You may recall my assistant, Lieutenant Sashima, from our recent visit. Where is he?”

“I do remember him indeed. A very impressive young man. Alas, I have no idea where he might have got to. I never saw him again.”

“You may not have seen him yourself, but people who work for you may have done so on your orders. He has been abducted.”

Feng’s eyes widened with shock. “Certainly not. Why would I do such a thing? I see that someone has blackened my character. People hate me because I’m of Chinese descent and have been very successful in this great country. I assure your Excellency that I’m a loyal subject, pay my taxes, and support my community. My reputation is excellent. You may ask the mayor, or the chief of the merchants’ guild, or even the shrine priest. I honor the laws and customs of your country.”

Akitada bit his lip. The man was very smooth. “Where are your employees Ling and your store clerk? What is his name?”

“His name is Masashi, but I could not tell you where they are. Because of my journey to visit my ancestors, I have closed the store and given them time off to see their families.”

“Ling and Masashi appear to be involved in Lieutenant Sashima’s disappearance. I want you to produce them as quickly as possible.”

Feng started to rise. “Of course. I’m sure they are quite innocent, but I’ll see to it right away.”

“You’ll stay here. We’ll send a constable.”

Feng’s face fell. He subsided. “My personal servant is still at my house. He will know how to contact them. Allow me to write a note.”

Akitada nodded, and Feng wrote something one a piece of paper. After glancing at it, Akitada gave it to the constable to deliver.

“Now then,” Akitada continued, “there’s also another matter. You may be aware the body of the previous governor has been recovered from an abandoned well?”

For a moment, it looked as though Feng would deny all knowledge of this, but then he nodded. “I heard a rumor but could hardly credit it. Is it true then?”

“Yes. We are trying to find out who was the last to see Lord Tachibana.”

There was another hesitation, then Feng said, “I gave myself the honor to bid his Excellency farewell and wish him a safe journey that day. I went to the tribunal to see him off.”

“Ah. And when did you leave him?”

Feng’s face twitched. “As it happened, we left together. I went home and his Excellency continued to the harbor.”

“What if I told you a witness saw you and Ling take Lord Tachibana to your home?”

Feng grew very still, but the twitch was still there. He said, “Is this the same person who accuses me of abducting your Lieutenant Sashima?”

“You deny taking Lord Tachibana to your house?”

“Absolutely. His Excellency was anxious to go on board. He would not have accepted an invitation to my house.”

“How was it that Lord Tachibana went unaccompanied by his people on his way to the harbor?”

“I cannot tell. I think there was a last minute delay and he expected to catch up.”

Akitada had made no progress. He switched subjects abruptly for the second time. “On my visit to your store I saw some very pretty dolls. Your clerk said they were made locally. By any chance were they made by Mrs. Mitsui?”

Feng frowned. “The name’s familiar, but my clerk handles such matters. Once he gets here, he will be able to tell you. He said you bought two dolls for your children. Quite exquisite for such trivial things, aren’t they?”

“Yes. And they were very inexpensive for something that must have taken many hours of work. I intended to get the plainer versions, but Ling was quite rude when I reached for one of those.”

“Alas, I did not know this. My apologies. Ling has not been in this country long. It was a misunderstanding, I think. I would be pleased to send you several of those dolls at no charge whatsoever to make up for the unpleasantness. Or perhaps a painting would be more acceptable?”

“Thank you, no. Mrs. Mitsui received five pieces of gold for a special order just before she died. Did she get this payment from you?”

“I don’t deal with craftspeople in person. My clerk does.”

Feng looked positively pleased by now, smiling expectantly as he waited for the next question. Akitada was casting about for inspiration when Maeda finally returned from the harbor.

He came in and closed the door behind him.

“We found twelve strongboxes in the hold. They were very heavy. I had one of them broken open. It was filled with gold and silver coins.”

Feng lost his smile.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” said Akitada. “Your property, Mr. Feng?”

“Not mine,” Feng managed through clenched teeth. “You must ask the captain. It’s probably money he earned engaging in legal trade.”

“Somewhat rich for a short visit to our country, I would think,” Akitada commented. “As for legal trade, Hakozaki harbor belongs to Akisuki Masanobu according to provincial records. His trading powers are restricted by the court. I think we’ll confiscate the strong boxes, Lieutenant Maeda. An investigation into illegal trade with a foreign nation is indicated.”

Maeda saluted and left.

Feng said nothing.

“I’m afraid I must cancel your planned journey while we are investigating,” Akitada informed him.

Feng nodded and prepared to rise.

“Your family may return to their home, but you’ll remain here in the Hakata jail until these matters are resolved.”

“In jail?” Feng collapsed again. “But that’s unjust,” he protested. “I have done nothing wrong. You cannot keep me without cause. I shall complain to Dazaifu. No, I’ll complain to the government in the capital. There are many powerful men there who know me and my family. We have served this country’s noble families now for three generations. Such things are not forgotten.”