“You may not have seen him yourself, but people who work for you may have done so on your orders. He has been abducted.”
Feng’s eyes widened with shock. “Certainly not. Why would I do such a thing? I see that someone has blackened my character. People hate me because I’m of Chinese descent and have been very successful in this great country. I assure your Excellency that I’m a loyal subject, pay my taxes, and support my community. My reputation is excellent. You may ask the mayor, or the chief of the merchants’ guild, or even the shrine priest. I honor the laws and customs of your country.”
Akitada bit his lip. The man was very smooth. “Where are your employees Ling and your store clerk? What is his name?”
“His name is Masashi, but I could not tell you where they are. Because of my journey to visit my ancestors, I have closed the store and given them time off to see their families.”
“Ling and Masashi appear to be involved in Lieutenant Sashima’s disappearance. I want you to produce them as quickly as possible.”
Feng started to rise. “Of course. I’m sure they are quite innocent, but I’ll see to it right away.”
“You’ll stay here. We’ll send a constable.”
Feng’s face fell. He subsided. “My personal servant is still at my house. He will know how to contact them. Allow me to write a note.”
Akitada nodded, and Feng wrote something one a piece of paper. After glancing at it, Akitada gave it to the constable to deliver.
“Now then,” Akitada continued, “there’s also another matter. You may be aware the body of the previous governor has been recovered from an abandoned well?”
For a moment, it looked as though Feng would deny all knowledge of this, but then he nodded. “I heard a rumor but could hardly credit it. Is it true then?”
“Yes. We are trying to find out who was the last to see Lord Tachibana.”
There was another hesitation, then Feng said, “I gave myself the honor to bid his Excellency farewell and wish him a safe journey that day. I went to the tribunal to see him off.”
“Ah. And when did you leave him?”
Feng’s face twitched. “As it happened, we left together. I went home and his Excellency continued to the harbor.”
“What if I told you a witness saw you and Ling take Lord Tachibana to your home?”
Feng grew very still, but the twitch was still there. He said, “Is this the same person who accuses me of abducting your Lieutenant Sashima?”
“You deny taking Lord Tachibana to your house?”
“Absolutely. His Excellency was anxious to go on board. He would not have accepted an invitation to my house.”
“How was it that Lord Tachibana went unaccompanied by his people on his way to the harbor?”
“I cannot tell. I think there was a last minute delay and he expected to catch up.”
Akitada had made no progress. He switched subjects abruptly for the second time. “On my visit to your store I saw some very pretty dolls. Your clerk said they were made locally. By any chance were they made by Mrs. Mitsui?”
Feng frowned. “The name’s familiar, but my clerk handles such matters. Once he gets here, he will be able to tell you. He said you bought two dolls for your children. Quite exquisite for such trivial things, aren’t they?”
“Yes. And they were very inexpensive for something that must have taken many hours of work. I intended to get the plainer versions, but Ling was quite rude when I reached for one of those.”
“Alas, I did not know this. My apologies. Ling has not been in this country long. It was a misunderstanding, I think. I would be pleased to send you several of those dolls at no charge whatsoever to make up for the unpleasantness. Or perhaps a painting would be more acceptable?”
“Thank you, no. Mrs. Mitsui received five pieces of gold for a special order just before she died. Did she get this payment from you?”
“I don’t deal with craftspeople in person. My clerk does.”
Feng looked positively pleased by now, smiling expectantly as he waited for the next question. Akitada was casting about for inspiration when Maeda finally returned from the harbor.
He came in and closed the door behind him.
“We found twelve strongboxes in the hold. They were very heavy. I had one of them broken open. It was filled with gold and silver coins.”
Feng lost his smile.
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” said Akitada. “Your property, Mr. Feng?”
“Not mine,” Feng managed through clenched teeth. “You must ask the captain. It’s probably money he earned engaging in legal trade.”
“Somewhat rich for a short visit to our country, I would think,” Akitada commented. “As for legal trade, Hakozaki harbor belongs to Akisuki Masanobu according to provincial records. His trading powers are restricted by the court. I think we’ll confiscate the strong boxes, Lieutenant Maeda. An investigation into illegal trade with a foreign nation is indicated.”
Maeda saluted and left.
Feng said nothing.
“I’m afraid I must cancel your planned journey while we are investigating,” Akitada informed him.
Feng nodded and prepared to rise.
“Your family may return to their home, but you’ll remain here in the Hakata jail until these matters are resolved.”
“In jail?” Feng collapsed again. “But that’s unjust,” he protested. “I have done nothing wrong. You cannot keep me without cause. I shall complain to Dazaifu. No, I’ll complain to the government in the capital. There are many powerful men there who know me and my family. We have served this country’s noble families now for three generations. Such things are not forgotten.”
Akitada thought of Tora. Feng’s threat, though probably well-founded, meant nothing to him. “There’s no more to be said,” he snapped and called for a constable.
When the man appeared, Akitada ordered Feng bound and taken to jail.
On the way out, Feng cried, “Wait. I may have information about your Lieutenant Sashima.”
“Speak then, and make it quick.”
“I heard the former police chief, Captain Okata, held a grudge against the lieutenant.”
Akitada stared at Feng. Could Okata have been behind Tora’s disappearance all along?
Feng pleaded, “I can help you find your lieutenant, but I must be free to do so.”
“No. Take him away, Constable.”
Feng departed, muttering.
Saburo and Akitada looked at each other. “Captain Okata?” Saburo asked. “Do you think it could be the answer?”
“It’s as likely as anything. Let’s go get him.”
Akitada went in search of Maeda. He found him in the courtyard, giving instructions to a group of constables about removing the strongboxes from the ship and placing a guard on it to make sure it did not depart for its homeland.
“Do you know where Okata is?” Akitada asked.
“Okata? Not really. His family owns land near the korokan. Why?”
“Feng says Okata is behind Tora’s disappearance. I think I’ll take Saburo and some soldiers from the tribunal and arrest Okata.” Akitada was both angry and miserable. Maeda and the assistant governor general had warned him that Okata might take revenge. He had brushed their warnings off.
Leaving Saburo behind, he gathered his soldiers and, still wet and chilled from the ride to Hakozaki, climbed back on his horse.
They had not yet left Hakata on their journey west when a constable on a lathered horse caught up with them, shouting and waving his arm. They stopped.
“He’s back,” shouted the man. “He’s safe. Lieutenant Maeda says to tell you Lieutenant Tora just got back.”
They crowded around him. “What happened?” Akitada asked, scarcely believing the good news.
“Lieutenant Tora says Captain Okata and his men caught him and sent him to Tsushima on the convict ship. Not sure about the rest, Excellency, but the lieutenant thought you might want to come back.”
Of course, he was going back. The gods had been kind once again. Tora was alive-and apparently well. Akitada was too overcome to speak.