“We’ll soon see which of us is the traitor,” he retorted, turning his anger at himself on Governor Nagai. “I intend to learn your role in the smuggling, and in Director Spaen’s murder. When I tell the tribunal magistrates, they may decide to remain in Nagasaki for another trial—where I shall give evidence against you, Honorable Governor.”

Nagai’s laugh poured over him like poisonous oil: smooth, rich, corrosive. “You’ll never find any evidence, or anyone willing to testify against me.”

Rain and wind cloaked Sano in chill misery as he beheld the approaching shore with its massed troops, and the red war banners in the hills. Governor Nagai was smart enough to cover his tracks and powerful enough to command unfailing loyalty. Who among his subordinates would dare accuse him?

Nagai added, “In case you still harbor any illusions about your detective talents, let me relieve you of them. Two days before Director Spaen’s disappearance, the Deshima guards reported a violent argument between Spaen and another barbarian—the doctor, Nicolaes Huygens.”

Sano’s stomach recoiled from the shock; his mind went numb. Then, as Nagai continued, hurt outrage flooded him.

“The guards heard angry voices coming from Spaen’s office. They entered and saw Huygens lunge at Spaen and start choking him. When Huygens saw they had an audience, he ran out of the room. The guards didn’t know what the fight was about, but they claimed that Huygens looked angry enough to kill Spaen.” Governor Nagai laughed again. “Yes. Well. If you were a competent investigator, surely you would have discovered the animosity between your Dutch friend and Jan Spaen before you conspired with Huygens.”

The story had the ring of truth. Yet far from doing him a favor by relating it, Sano knew the governor had done so just to torment him because he couldn’t get onto Deshima to confirm it. But Sano’s anger at Nagai paled in comparison to the rage he felt toward Dr. Huygens. If Huygens had lied about his relationship with Spaen, what else had he lied about? Had he pretended to help examine Spaen’s corpse, all the while falsifying the results of the dissection? Bitterly Sano wondered whether their friendship had been a sham, meant to deflect his suspicion.

“Now if you’ll excuse me,” Governor Nagai said, “I have a city to defend.”

He gathered his aides into the cabin for a strategy session. Iishino had vanished; Sano was alone with his fears and doubts. Had he risked treason and compromised the investigation by unknowingly collaborating with the killer he sought?

26

二六