Ohira nodded distractedly, his eyes still on Kiyoshi.

To the harbor patrol officers, Sano said, “Take this message to the Dutch ship: ‘I regret to inform you that your missing comrade has been found murdered.’ ” He added an explanation of the circumstances of Spaen’s death, then continued, “ ‘I am in charge of the investigation. Until I find out who killed Spaen and why, we must act on the assumption that the murderer poses a danger to all your people. Therefore, your landing must be delayed until the murderer is caught and punished. With apologies, Sōsakan Sano Ichirō.’ ”

Sano feared that his plan would anger the Dutch captain, yet he couldn’t do otherwise. The addition of hundreds more barbarians to Deshima would complicate his work, possibly destroying evidence and creating unrest. He wished he could deliver the news in person and placate Captain Oss, but he couldn’t waste time on another trip offshore; he must concentrate on the search for the killer.

The troops resumed their patrols. Governor Nagai, Kiyoshi, and Yoriki Ota bade Sano farewell, then departed. Sano trudged up the beach toward Deshima with Hirata and the two guards, while Chief Ohira and Interpreter Iishino walked ahead. The wind seemed colder, the ocean’s roar an ominous portent as Sano pondered the conflict that he feared would compromise his investigation.

Prudence and diplomacy required him to place the blame for the murder on a barbarian. If he didn’t, he risked bringing war to his country—and charges of treason upon himself for passing over foreign suspects to condemn a fellow Japanese. Sano thought of the Dutch, imprisoned on Deshima, with ample time and leisure to foster mutual hatred. By incriminating one of them, he could save himself from death and disgrace.

But would he also be letting the real murderer escape punishment for the crime?

6

六

“Sumimasen—excuse me,” Hirata said, trudging beside Sano up a flight of stone stairs leading from the beach to the waterfront promenade, a wide road built upon a stone embankment along Nagasaki Harbor. After a moment’s hesitation, he blurted, “Catching a murderer in a strange city is going to be hard. You have to let me help!”

Sano had expected the ardent young retainer to renew his plea for a role in the investigation: For some personal, unspoken reason, he carried samurai loyalty and dedication to the extreme. Sensing that this wasn’t all Hirata had intended to say, he waited. They passed warehouses and shops, patrolling troops, and fishermen carrying buckets of squid and octopuses before Hirata spoke again.

“I’ve had lots of detective experience,” Hirata hurried on. Faint creases appeared on his forehead, as they always did when he was most serious, giving Sano a glimpse of how he would look as an older man. “I can identify suspects, and interrogate them, and check alibis, and—”