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

teeth as he studied the corpse.

oOne of Director Spaen's comrades must have killed him, Iishino said. oWho else but a fellow barbarian could have hated him enough to tie him up, beat, stab, and strangle him? And who but a Christian Dutchman would leave a crucifix on him?

oYes. Well. Governor Nagai turned to Sano. oHow fortunate for you that such is the case. If a Japanese citizen were found to be the killer, the Dutch could interpret Director Spaen's murder as an act of military aggression, and retaliate in kind.

Everyone looked seaward. Sano could almost see the Dutch ship riding at anchor beyond the bright waves.

oAnd incriminating a Japanese citizen could have other unpleasant consequences besides jeopardizing national peace, Nagai added.

Two more officers arrived, carrying a litter covered with a white cloth. oTake the body to Deshima, Governor Nagai ordered them. To Sano, he explained, oThe law forbids the barbarians to administer Christian rites to their dead, but they are allowed to keep a funeral vigil and prepare the body for burial.

Placing Director Spaen's stiff form on the litter, the officers draped it with the cloth and bore it toward Deshima. oGo home! Nothing more to see! they shouted at the townspeople. Sano was glad that the evidence would be preserved for a while, though he didn't know exactly what to do with it. How he longed for Dr. Ito's scientific expertise and wise counsel! Because Governor Nagai's circumspect remark had warned him of the perilous dilemma he might face.

oChief Ohira, Sano said, oplease confine the barbarians to separate rooms on Deshima. He wasn't ready to eliminate the staff as suspects, or overlook the possibility that Spaen had met his death at the hands of a stranger after escaping; but the Dutch were logical suspects. oDon't let them see Director Spaen's corpse, or tell them he's dead. I'll interview them right away, with Interpreter Iishino's help.

Ohira nodded distractedly, his eyes still on Kiyoshi.

To the harbor patrol officers, Sano said, oTake this message to the Dutch ship: ~I regret to inform you that your missing comrade has been found murdered.' He added an explanation of the circumstances of Spaen's death, then continued, o ~I am in charge of the investigation. Until I find out who killed Spaen and why, we must act on the assumption that the murderer poses a danger to all your people. Therefore, your landing must be delayed until the murderer is caught and punished. With apologies, Ssakan Sano Ichir.'

Sano feared that his plan would anger the Dutch captain, yet he couldn't do otherwise. The addition of hundreds more barbarians to Deshima would complicate his work, possibly destroying evidence and creating unrest. He wished he could deliver the news in person and placate Captain Oss, but he couldn't waste time on another trip offshore; he must concentrate on the search for the killer.

The troops resumed their patrols. Governor Nagai, Kiyoshi, and Yoriki Ota bade Sano farewell, then departed. Sano trudged up the beach toward Deshima with Hirata and the two guards, while Chief Ohira and Interpreter Iishino walked ahead. The wind seemed colder, the ocean's roar an ominous portent as Sano pondered the conflict that he feared would compromise his investigation.

Prudence and diplomacy required him to place the blame for the murder on a barbarian. If he didn't, he risked bringing war to his country "and charges of treason upon himself for passing over foreign suspects to condemn a fellow Japanese. Sano thought of the Dutch, imprisoned on Deshima, with ample time and leisure to foster mutual hatred. By incriminating one of them, he could save himself from death and disgrace.

But would he also be letting the real murderer escape punishment for the crime?

Chapter 6

sumimasen "excuse me, Hirata said, trudging beside Sano up a flight of stone stairs leading from the beach to the waterfront promenade, a wide road built upon a stone embankment along