“Peony?” Sano read, surprised. “A woman?”

“Director Spaen’s courtesan,” the officer explained. “She spent the night in his bedchamber. We found her there alone the next morning. She didn’t know where Spaen had gone, so Chief Ohira sent her home.”

Prostitutes were the only women allowed on Deshima. Could this one have killed Spaen? Guns were not common weapons; only high-ranking officers owned them. And though Sano hadn’t asked about visitors earlier, it seemed odd that Chief Ohira hadn’t mentioned Peony. She could be a crucial witness, if not a suspect.

“Where can I find Peony?” Sano asked.

“She lives at the Half Moon Pleasure House.”

Despite his doubts about Peony’s potential as a suspect, Sano’s spirits rose. By attributing the crime to a low-class citizen, he might avoid treason charges. The bakufu wouldn’t care what happened to a prostitute, or punish him for condemning her instead of a barbarian. However, the more probable suspects were Chief Ohira, who’d already withheld important information, and the guards.

“When does the second watch come off duty?” Sano asked reluctantly.

Through the seaward door of the guardhouse came the sounds of footsteps on the bridge, male voices, and laughter. “Here they are now,” the officer said.

A group of perhaps forty samurai filed into the room. All wore identical leather armor tunics and shinguards, metal helmets, and swords at their waists. They carried spears, bows, and quivers. Sano believed that no barbarian could have left the island without Japanese assistance, or disposed of a corpse without it. And what better suspects than the men who controlled security on Deshima?

Sano introduced himself to them, then said, “Form ranks. State your names and positions.”

A tall, lean man with hawklike features stepped forward. “I am Nirin, commander of the second watch.” His subordinates lined up in pairs; each member of these shouted his name, then both voiced their shared position together. Sano could tell from their sullen expressions that they considered him an outsider who meant trouble for them.

“Were all of you on duty the night Director Spaen disappeared?” Sano asked.

“Yes, honorable master,” they chorused.

“I’m going to ask you some questions,” Sano said, already anticipating the problem Deshima’s security system posed for him. He turned to the men assigned to guard Spaen, and asked, “Did you have any contact with the director between the last inspection and daybreak?”

“No, master,” said one guard. “That’s right,” seconded his partner.

Sano next addressed deGraeff’s and Dr. Huygens’s guards. “Did you see your barbarians during those hours?”

A series of “No, master” replies.

“And what about you?” Sano asked the patrol guards. “Did you see any Dutchman with Spaen, or near his quarters?”