Free The Way of the Traitor: A Samurai Mystery by Laura Joh Rowland Page A

bright red, as if from drinking too much sake. oAnd Kiyoshi, the eldest of Chief Ohira's six children.

The two men bowed. Kiyoshi was a slender youth whose bare crown was several shades lighter than his tanned face, freshly shaven in the ceremony that initiated samurai into manhood at age fifteen. He had sensitive features, but his body was muscular, with an athletic grace. Old bruises shadowed his high cheekbones; healed cuts marked his forearms. His well-shaped hands were callused, and Sano glimpsed faint ink stains on the fingers: the mark of a scholar. This was how he himself had looked at that age, pursuing martial arts and academic learning with equal ardor. Watching Chief Ohira gaze at Kiyoshi, Sano's heart ached. His own father had looked at him the same way, not quite managing to conceal his love and pride. He envied Kiyoshi and Chief Ohira that important bond which he himself had lost with his father's death a year and a half ago.

Governor Nagai said, oI take a great interest in young men of talent. And Kiyoshi is my most promising protAcgAc.

In the bakufu, samurai advanced by way of ability and connections. The governor's patronage would, Sano knew, guarantee Kiyoshi a good post in Nagasaki's administration.

oAnd Kiyoshi is studying the Dutch language with me, so that he can be an interpreter, Iishino added. oHe shows great aptitude, great aptitude. For once Iishino stood perfectly still. The shock of seeing the corpse had blanched his face, and without his usual nervous motion, he looked like a wax effigy of himself. Nonetheless, he managed a weak grin. oSay something in Dutch, Kiyoshi.

oNot now, Iishino, Nagai said impatiently, while Yoriki Ota grimaced in disgust: It was apparent that neither of them liked the interpreter. Kiyoshi blushed. Chief Ohira frowned at his colleagues, as though resenting Iishino for calling unwanted attention to his son, and Nagai and Ota for some other, indiscernible reason. Sano detected between the men an alliance whose nature he couldn't grasp. Certainly Nagai, Iishino, and Ohira shared something more than an interest in Kiyoshi's future, and whatever it was bound them together despite mutual antagonism. Sano remembered his arrival at the governors mansion and the exchange he'd overheard between Nagai and Ohira. He had a sense of secret tensions within Nagasaki's administration, an undercurrent of both discord and conspiracy. Did this relate to Director Spaen's disappearance "and murder?

oThe person who killed Director Spaen must be found and punished, Yoriki Ota said. oThe laws concerning murder apply even when the victim is a foreigner. Reluctantly he added, oSo. I guess I'll begin the investigation at once.

But he made no move to go. Everyone looked at Sano. And waited. In the expectant hush, Sano heard the gusting wind and the shriek of seabirds; the clamor of the crowd; the ocean's hiss and smack. Then his own voice, saying what he knew his companions wanted to hear.

oThe murder is related to Director Spaen's disappearance. Therefore, the responsibility for apprehending the killer is mine.

A reckless elation intoxicated Sano. Here was his chance to pursue knowledge and right a wrong. But the stakes were even higher than during the search for the missing barbarian. He faced his companions, both hoping and fearing that someone would challenge his right to commandeer the investigation.

No one did. Yoriki Ota nodded. Governor Nagai said, oAs you wish. Behind their neutral expressions, Sano sensed relief. Hirata's face shone with the certainty that Sano couldn't possibly refuse his assistance now. Sano hated to disappoint Hirata, but it was more crucial than ever to protect the young retainer from harm, and prevent subsequent anguish for himself.

Chief Ohira kept his worried gaze fixed on Kiyoshi, who stared at the ground. Face pale, lips trembling, and Adam's apple bobbing, he looked as if he was trying not to vomit. Interpreter Iishino sucked air through his