I. Parker - Death of a Doll Maker

Maeda shook his head. “Yoko was the type to confront Hiroshi. She’d mention seeing him even if she didn’t think it important.”

“Poor Yoko.”

Akitada cleared his throat. “As it turned out, the well seems to have been a popular burial place. My predecessor was also down there.”

“Maybe Hiroshi had a hand in that, too. And to think you’d never have known any of this if it hadn’t been for me.” Tora grinned.

“We found Yoko before you disappeared,” Maeda objected.

Akitada added, “We certainly can’t pin the governor’s murder on Hiroshi, busy fellow though he was. It’s not the sort of crime he would commit. But at least we can be certain of his killing his stepmother and Yoko.”

Tora nodded. “The boy Kichiro said Hiroshi got very angry when he saw him looking over the fence. That must have been right after Yoko was killed. I expect Hiroshi go rid of whatever was in that hole. Best do some more digging, Maeda.”

Maeda made a face. “Well, I’m glad you left me something to do.”

“If you like, I’ll help you.”

You’re going to bed,” said Akitada. “Both of you, since Shigeno has agreed to be our guest.”

They returned to the tribunal, where their arrival caused gratifying pleasure. Akitada cut all questions short with a brief statement, and Saburo saw to it that Tora and his new friend had baths, food, and a rest.

In the tribunal office, Akitada asked Mori, “Did the report to the assistant governor general get off?”

“Yes, sir.”

Akitada next filled Mori in on some of the other news. The secretary was dumfounded. “Lord Tachibana was murdered?”

“Yes, Mori. Right after he left here. Do you recall the day?”

“Yes, your Excellency.” The old clerk showed little grief. He merely shook his head in amazement. “His Excellency was irritable. He didn’t look forward to going home. Most of the officials sent from the capital hate Kyushu, but Lord Tachibana made friends here and bought many beautiful things. Of course, there was the matter of the recall.”

“Yes, indeed. If you recall what the governor was wearing, you’d better report to Lieutenant Maeda. It will help identify the body.”

“Yes, sir.” Mori sighed. “It’s hard to believe. Merchant Feng made a lot of money from him and must have hated to see him leave.”

“I don’t doubt it in the least.”

“Merchant Feng was a frequent visitor here and came to see his Excellency off. They left together. His lordship, Merchant Feng, and that Chinese servant of his.”

“Feng admitted as much. By any chance, were you aware that Lord Tachibana had a relationship with a courtesan called Fragrant Orchid?”

Mori blushed. “Oh, yes. We all knew. He was very taken with her. Merchant Feng introduced them.” Mori paused. “I’ve had a look at Mr. Feng’s account book.”

Feng’s secret account book must hold the key to Tachibana’s death, and they badly needed evidence again Feng. The recalled governor’s very close business relationship with the merchant had ostensibly been based on his obsessive acquisition of Chinese art, but such a fixation was a weakness that could be exploited by unscrupulous men. If Tachibana had indeed engaged in illegal and treasonous dealings through Feng, then his departure for the capital, where suspicion of malfeasances would have brought interrogation by the censor’s bureau, was a mortal danger to Feng and possibly others.

Akitada gave Mori an encouraging nod. “Excellent! And what have you found out?”

Mori went to his desk and returned with the book.

“I am not quite sure, your Excellency. Mr. Feng used colloquial Chinese, but I also believe some of the names and objects are disguised by other words.”

“Very likely. Have you learned anything at all?”

“Yes. Merchant Feng has been ordering pictures and some carved figures in exchange for certain sums or unspecified favors. He listed expenditures also, in one case, one of the last entries, he mentions children’s toys. Since the pictures and so forth were for Lord Tachibana, possibly the moneys and favors might have been supplied by Lord Tachibana in payment?”

“Probably. I hate to think what favors Lord Tachibana did the Chinese merchant.” Locking away the account book, Akitada thanked Mori, adding, “We’ll let Lieutenant Maeda ask one of the Chinese merchants to translate this.”

Akitada went to his study for a cup of tea and a brief rest before returning to Hakata. The distance between the tribunal and police headquarters was becoming a nuisance. At least the rain had stopped. To his surprise, he found the houseboy Koji squatting on the floor. The boy shot up and immediately prostrated himself.

“Askin’ pardons, zir. Is a message.”

Irritated to be kept from his refreshment, Akitada snapped, “What message? And why didn’t you give it to Mori?”

Koji shrank. “Very private. Only for governor’s ears. I promise on my mother’s grave.” The boy eyed him anxiously. “You’re angry. I cannot tell you if you’re angry.” He turned to go.

“Koji!” thundered Akitada.

The boy froze, his back to him. Akitada said more gently, “I’m not angry, but I have much to do, so please say what you’ve come to tell me.”

Koji did not turn. “I waited ‘cause I promised.”

“It’s all right. I appreciate your patience.”

“Someone’s here,” Koji offered, looking at him over his shoulder. “He won’t come out if you’re angry.”

Come out? “Who is here?”

Koji shook his head. “I cannot tell if you’re angry.”

Akitada controlled himself with an effort and managed a smile. “Did you ask his name?”

“Yezzir. I ask many times. No name.”

Akitada sighed. “Where is this person?”

Koji walked into the adjoining eave chamber and pointed at one of the trunks standing in a corner. It had held Akitada’s books and papers but was now empty.

Or so Akitada had thought. He crossed quickly to it and flung back the lid.

A man cowered inside. He was on his knees and had his head tucked under his arms as if he expected to be beaten.

“Don’t hurt him, zir,” Koji cried. “He’s afraid.”

“Get out,” snapped Akitada.

After a moment, the slight figure of Feng’s clerk Masashi unfolded its thin limbs and stepped out of the trunk. He was sobbing. He stood for a moment, then fell to his knees and knocked his head against the floor. “Save me, your Excellency,” he cried. “They are going to kill me.”

Akitada nearly smiled. This was a stroke of luck and should fix Feng for good. He said in a reassuring tone, “Don’t worry, Masashi. You’re quite safe here. Koji, this is Masashi. Go and get us some wine and something to eat. Masashi looks worn out.”

“Good!” Koji clapped his hands, grinned, and ran out.

“Now then, Masashi. Sit up and explain.”

The clerk did indeed look pitiful. He was pale and trembled uncontrollably. His stringy hair hung into his face, and his clothes were torn and dirty. He wept again, quite noisily.

“Calm yourself now, “Akitada said a little more firmly. “There is nothing I can do for you unless you speak freely.”

Masashi nodded, hiccupped, and wiped his blubbered face with a dirty sleeve. “Ling came to kill me,” he managed. “I got away, but he’s looking for me.” He pulled the shirt from his neck and pushed his hair back. Masashi’s neck was covered with huge bruises. There were other bruises on his arms and on the side of his face.

“Why did he do this?”

“The master sent him. Just as with Hiroshi. Ling kills people for the master.”

No surprise there. Akitada regarded the clerk with an encouraging smile. Surely Masashi was about to give him more proof of Feng’s crimes. “I suspected as much,” he said. “Why did you come here?”