Too late Sano realized how perilously his negative attitude, his fascination with the Dutch, and his desire for truth and justice had jeopardized his life and Hirata’s. His actions had landed him in the power of Governor Nagai, Interpreter Iishino, and Chief Ohira. Sano was sure that one or all of them were involved in the smuggling, and had framed him to protect themselves from the consequences of his discovery. Perhaps this had all been planned in advance, with Chamberlain Yanagisawa’s sanction. Again Sano had a sense of strange tensions among Nagasaki’s bureaucrats. He recalled his suspicion that they didn’t want Jan Spaen’s murder case solved. Had they killed Peony and shot him?

“However, because of your rank,” Nagai continued, “you can’t be imprisoned, or tried and sentenced immediately. A special tribunal, composed of magistrates from three provinces, shall convene to hear your case. It will take approximately three days to gather them in Nagasaki.”

Sano could guess the outcome of his trial. The magistrates, like the local authorities, were undoubtedly Chamberlain Yanagisawa’s minions; he needn’t expect fairness or leniency from them. He could already feel the weight of iron shackles around his wrists and ankles; he could see soldiers leading him to the execution ground, and hear the hiss of the sword that would sever his head. …

“I won’t tolerate this charade!” he burst out.

“Yes. Well.” Governor Nagai’s heavy shoulders lifted in a shrug. “I regret to say that you have no choice. Also, I am relieving you of responsibility for the murder investigation.”

“But I’m making progress on it,” Sano protested. “If the Dutch captain doesn’t receive the head of Jan Spaen’s killer in two days, he’ll attack Nagasaki. I must be allowed to—”

Nagai cut off the interruption: “That no longer concerns you, and the subject under discussion is your fate. Until the tribunal convenes, you will enjoy the temporary freedom due a man of your samurai status and high position under these circumstances. But do not misbehave, or try to leave town. We will be watching you.”

As the guards escorted Sano from the hall, he turned for a last outraged glare at Nagai, Iishino, and Ohira. “You’re not going to get away with this!”

The door slid shut on the three men who were now his enemies, and his prime suspects in the murder of Jan Spaen.

21

二一

At daybreak, Sano, escorted by Governor Nagai’s men, returned home to find troops stationed outside his mansion. More troops swarmed the corridors; in the reception room, the commander had lined up the frightened servants.

“Where is Hirata?” he barked at them. “Has he been here? Speak up, or die!”

A mixture of relief and concern filled Sano as he hurried to his chambers. Hirata was still free. But for how long, and would he survive?