Sano watched Junko wandering about the market. His joy died, leaving behind a familiar ache in his spirit. Must he spend his whole life seeing resemblances to Aoi in every woman he met? Taking a deep breath, he forced his thoughts back to the investigation.

“You sell the Dutch other goods besides copper, don’t you?” he asked Urabe. “Were those dealings with Spaen amicable?”

“Of course,” Urabe said impatiently, but his fingers picked at his mole, belying his words. Dutch traders drove hard bargains. Had Spaen gotten the better of Urabe?

“If you weren’t on Deshima the night before last, then where were you?” Sano asked.

Urabe thrust his chin forward, gaze defiant. “Worked late at the shop, then came home and slept. My clerks and my wife can vouch for me. I couldn’t have killed Spaen even if I’d wanted to, which I didn’t. The Dutch are important suppliers and customers, even if they are dirty animals.”

Sano didn’t give this alibi much credence, because self-interest bound Urabe’s wife and employees to say whatever he ordered. Yet even if Urabe had a motive for Spaen’s murder, it would be hard to establish his presence on Deshima.

From down the aisle came Junko’s sweet voice, singing:

“Since the last autumn moon have I traveled,

Following the promise of love.

The rain is cold and the wind blows bitter—

I cry lest we fail to meet again.”

Sano saw her lift and examine a vase from a stall, head tilted gracefully as she hummed. Against his will, Sano imagined Aoi in her place. He wrenched his gaze back to Urabe and, to stem a flood of memories, abruptly introduced another subject related to the murder case.

“I’ve heard rumors about mysterious lights in the harbor around Deshima,” he began.

Junko’s humming stopped. There was a loud crash. Sano looked over and met the girl’s stricken eyes. Quickly she bent and began picking up broken pieces of the vase she’d been holding. The Chinese vendor assailed her with angry shouts.

“Clumsy girl,” Urabe fumed. “Now I’ll have to pay for that vase. What were you saying?”

Sano noticed a furtive, listening air about Junko. Why was she interested in this part of the conversation? He repeated his comment, then added, “Do you have any idea what’s causing the lights?”

Urabe picked at his mole. “Never bothered to go look. I’m too busy to waste time on things with no profit in them.”