In response to Captain Oss’s message, Governor Nagai had convened a meeting of top officials in his office last night. “Double the number of troops on duty,” he told the harbor patrol commander. “Put everyone on extra shifts and draft more men from the daimyō estates. I want two barges watching the Dutch ship, and messengers to report to me every hour. Ready the warships. Build bonfires on the hills, and be prepared to light them and summon troops from other provinces.”

To Yoriki Ota, he said, “Double the number of police on the street in case there are disturbances when the citizens hear the news.”

Governor Nagai turned next to the armory captain. “What munitions do we have?” Upon hearing the quantity of cannon, arquebuses, powder, and shot, he said, “I hope that’s enough. Transfer supplies to the warships and the harbor forts immediately.”

He issued the magistrate orders concerning possible evacuation of civilians, then announced grimly, “We shall maintain this state of emergency until Sōsakan Sano meets the Dutch demands.”

Everyone turned disapproving glances on Sano, seated apart from the others. “I expect to identify the killer within two days,” he said, trying to infuse his voice with confidence. Unless he regained face with Nagasaki’s officials, his investigation would suffer. And failure would destroy his career along with the city. Quickly he summarized his interviews with Peony, Urabe, and Abbot Liu Yun.

Governor Nagai frowned. “You wish to attribute the murder to Japanese citizens?”

“They had motive, opportunity, and more access to weapons than the other suspects,” Sano said.

The audience exchanged unreadable glances, and the room’s atmosphere changed. Sano sensed a pressure against his ears and skin, as if from an approaching storm.

“Yes. Well,” Governor Nagai said. “I suggest that in your rush to incriminate your fellow Japanese, you don’t overlook the barbarians on Deshima. Otherwise, you might suffer worse consequences than a superficial arrow wound.”

Sano hadn’t mentioned this. “Who told you about the attack?” he asked.

Nagai smiled briefly. “I have my sources.”

Either Nagasaki’s spy network was very efficient, or Nagai had some other way of knowing. “I haven’t overlooked Deshima,” Sano said, emphasizing the last word to tell them that he didn’t mean only the Dutch. “The attack suggests that something is wrong there. Something that someone doesn’t want me to know about.”

When he explained about chasing the lights, his words dropped into a pool of silence. Then Yoriki Ota said, “You got shot while chasing ghosts? Ha, ha. You probably scared a drunk who thought you were a ghost, and fired at you.”

His laughter sounded artificial, but the others joined in. “Think what you will,” Sano said coldly. “But I mean to get to the truth about Deshima. When I do, I’ll find Jan Spaen’s murderer. And I should think it would be in your interest to support my efforts.”