Maeda must have thought the same, because he began to question the maid Keiko about Fragrant Orchid’s suitors. He asked about her affair with the ex-governor, and the men before and since. There were few names. Keiko explained that Fragrant Orchid’s rank among the courtesans meant she could pick and choose who she slept with. She chose rarely, but whoever it was paid well.
Akitada did not recognize any of the names. Maeda did, however. Two of the men were local nobles, while two others served in high-ranking positions at Dazaifu. None had visited since her affair with Governor Tachibana. Fragrant Orchid had apparently been celibate since.
Maeda and his men searched Fragrant Orchid’s house without finding anything helpful. Akitada trailed along. Only the main room and the garden could be called luxurious. The other rooms, and there were few, were at best utilitarian. Fragrant Orchid had spent her money where it would do most good. It also explained why she had kept no servants except the maid and Umeko.
Keiko was a country woman and not particularly quick-witted. Umeko had to translate some of Akitada’s and Maeda’s questions. The maid had no idea why they were being asked, nor was she very upset by her mistress’s death.
“What will happen to you and Umeko now?” Akitada asked, feeling vaguely responsible for them.
The maid chuckled. “We go away. To another lady.”
In the end, they left with more questions than answers.
Outside, Maeda said to Akitada. “I think you suspect she was murdered, sir, and perhaps it is so, but would you explain to me what makes you think so?”
Akitada considered how much he should tell Maeda. He thought it best not to publicize the disappearance and probable murder of Lord Tachibana yet, but in the end, he decided to trust the man. He could not manage this search on his own. He said, “After the mayor’s banquet, Fragrant Orchid sent me a note because she had something to tell me. I ignored it, thinking it merely a device to increase business.”
Maeda blinked but he kept a straight face. “Fragrant Orchid had no need of new business,” he said. “She was quite a wealthy woman. You think she knew she was in danger?”
“Yes, but I didn’t know that. There’s another matter. Lord Tachibana never arrived back in the capital.”
Maeda’s eyebrows shot up. “Great gods!” he muttered. “Don’t tell me. More trouble, and this time it’s big.”
Akitada nodded. “Since Fragrant Orchid had been the ex-governor’s lover, and since Umeko said her mistress was very worried, I thought perhaps her death was convenient for someone.”
Maeda said nothing for a moment. Then he nodded. “If something has happened to Lord Tachibana, the people responsible would do anything to protect themselves. Now and in the future. They will be dangerous. If Fragrant Orchid was murdered, this proves it.”
Akitada looked at him uncertainly.
Maeda flushed and added quickly, “I’m not sure how to proceed. I don’t know who is involved in this.” He paused and added, “I’m afraid nothing is as it seems in Hakata.”
Akitada weighed the policeman’s words. “Yes. I suspect you are right. We must find out who this silent killer is, and how he operates. We can guess what made him kill Fragrant Orchid, but why did they attack Lord Tachibana, if that’s what happened? It’s a very serious crime to lay hands on a government official of his rank.” He frowned. “Do you always have so many murders here?”
Maeda looked puzzled. “So many murders?”
“Tora kept me informed about the Mitsui case and the neighbor woman’s murder. He seems to think the man Hiroshi killed her and his step mother. Fragrant Orchid died around the same time.”
“We know who killed Mrs. Mitsui, but we’ll take another look at Hiroshi if you insist.” He sighed. “Do you believe they are all related, sir? That seems unlikely.”
“I don’t know, Lieutenant. I’m just trying to understand how much crime there is in this province. Or rather, in Hakata.”
“Murders are somewhat rare here in the city, sir. But the harbor area is rough. There are many knife fights. We’ve had a few bodies wash up in the harbor or a sailor knifed in a drunken brawl. Still, I cannot believe …” He broke off and bit his lip.
“I wondered if my arrival has perhaps stirred up a nest of vipers.”
Maeda flushed. “Surely not, your Excellency. It’s probably just coincidence. There is no connection between the three women, and I don’t see what a doll maker can possibly have to do with the tribunal.”
Akitada sighed. “Well, investigate Fragrant Orchid’s death as murder. I have a notion that she sent Umeko and the maid away on purpose because she was meeting her killer. Perhaps he had offered to buy her silence. Otherwise I doubt she would have admitted him. My people and I will look into the ex-governor’s disappearance. Something is bound to turn up, and we may see the connection in time.”
Akitada dismissed his escort and turned to Saburo. “I want you to return to the tribunal now. Tonight you’ll grow your beard again and find out about the man with the missing fingers. I want to know what he does at the harbor. But be careful. Tora and I will call on Merchant Feng and then check ship departures with the harbor office. Report to me in the morning.”
19
Akitada was convinced that the ex-governor was also dead and that Fragrant Orchid’s murder proved this. Much as he blamed himself for the courtesan’s death, it was clear she had played a dangerous game. What she had known had almost certainly cost that beautiful woman her life.
He wondered briefly if they had been overheard at the banquet. Certainly the mayor had been close enough, and possibly also Feng and Hayashi. But anyone in the room, anyone with a guilty conscience, could have suspected Fragrant Orchid might talk. Moreover, a spy might have been placed among the waiters, musicians, or the other women. There had been no need to overhear anything at all. Later, the girl Umeko had approached him with the note from her mistress, signaling an assignation. Fragrant Orchid had become a marked woman.
They must find the killer, or killers, or perhaps become the next victims.
After parting from Maeda and his men, he walked with Tora to Feng’s store. There they were greeted by the same pale young salesman who had waited on Akitada before. He made them several very deep bows, but in spite of this show of respect, he was not pleased to see Akitada. In fact, he looked positively nervous.
Ignoring the man’s fears, Akitada said, “I’m the governor and have come to speak to your master. He offered to show me some of his treasures.”
The young man blinked. “He’s not here, your Excellency. It’s early. He usually arrives toward evening.” He bowed again.
“Where is he at this hour?”
“A-at home, your Excellency. I think.”
“And where is his home?”
Panic flashed across the pimply face. “I … he may not be there. P-perhaps if you were to return later? Or I could give him a message?”
Tora stepped forward. “Look here, you little weasel,” he snapped, “answer his Excellency’s question and be quick about it.”
The young man stammered some directions, and they left.
Feng’s home was built of plaster in the Chinese style and had a blue-tiled roof. It was a large compound with outbuildings, perhaps stables or more likely warehouses. The man clearly had money and standing in his community.
The gate was heavily carved with Chinese symbols for good luck and Feng’s name. It opened readily enough to their knocking. A servant, wearing Chinese clothes, bowed them in politely. Akitada tried his Chinese, asking if his master were home. The man either did not speak the language or was mute. He shook his head but beckoned them on.
Puzzled, Akitada and Tora followed him toward a two-story house across a neat paved courtyard which was enclosed by one-story buildings on either side, giving the whole complex the look of some huge bird of prey with its wings extended, hovering to embrace and devour them. The black-lacquered double doors in the center of the main house opened like a maw.