“Not today. You’ve done enough for the local police. Maeda sounds like a good man. Let him work his case. I want you here. Saburo had no sleep last night, and I’m attending the mayor’s banquet tonight.”

*

To make up for snubbing the Hakata notables, Akitada had taken pains with his appearance. He wore a fine green figured silk robe and white silk trousers. Behind him rode six soldiers from the provincial guard. Because it was a private entertainment, he had dispensed with the flag bearer, but they attracted attention anyway.

The mayor had arranged to have the banquet on the upper floor of a large restaurant overlooking the Mikasa River. Numerous colored paper lanterns hung suspended from the open gallery and could be seen from a distance. Over the door was a gilt inscription identifying it as the ‘Great Happiness’ restaurant.

It looks and sounds like a brothel, Akitada thought sourly. He hated these social occasions.

The ‘Great Happiness” opened its double doors, and he was greeted by waiters in bright red shirts and black trousers who bowed him in and up the stairs into a large room overlooking the river. Outside was the gallery with the colored lanterns swaying softly in the breeze.

A number of well-dressed men greeted him with bows and wishes for good health and a long life. Mayor Nakamura stepped forward, all smiles and rustling dark blue silk. He made introductions, and Akitada tried in vain to match so many names and faces. He did recognize Hayashi, the fat chief of the merchant’s guild, and Feng, the Chinese merchant. He exchanged bows and made polite remarks about Hakata, Minami, Dazaifu, and Kyushu. They requested comparisons to the capital or asked if he had seen the emperor close up. He had not and felt this lowered him in their estimation.

Nakamura eventually led him to a dais where they were to occupy seats of honor. The others took their seats below.

The doors of the room opened to admit a small group of musicians who carried lutes, zithers, and flutes. They took their stand to the side and struck up a light tune. Akitada listened with pleasure to the flute player. He had not played his own flute in many weeks and promised himself to practice soon.

A long line of exquisite young women in colored and diaphanous gowns entered next and dispersed among the guests, each taking her place near one of the men.

Akitada winced when a particularly tall and beautiful creature knelt beside him with a deep bow, announcing softly, “My name is Fragrant Orchid. It will be my pleasure to serve your Excellency tonight.”

So it was to be that kind of party, he thought, merely nodding to her. He disliked such affairs intensely and became morose.

His host leaned closer. “Fragrant Orchid is our leading beauty. I’m told she’s very talented.” He winked.

Words had double meanings. She had offered to serve him tonight, and the mayor had called her very talented. Even without the wink, it was clear that he had been presented with the services of a prostitute. No doubt they knew he had not brought his family and thought him desperate to lie with a woman. Suddenly angry, he ignored his companion and turned to the mayor. “I’m afraid I have brought my work with me tonight. Being a stranger here, I hope you and some of the other gentlemen will share your views on local conditions and problems with me.”

Nakamura looked taken aback, and there was whispering among the others. But then his host smiled and bowed. “Please ask away, Excellency. I hope you will come to enjoy what our city has to offer.” His eyes went meaningfully to Akitada’s female companion.

“Thank you. I’m sure I will.” Akitada did not look at her and continued quickly, “I’ve been surprised that my predecessor was already gone when I arrived. He must have left in a hurry.”

The mayor cast a glance at his companion and said cautiously, “His Excellency, Governor Tachibana was a connoisseur and collector of art. He was anxious about shipping his art home and feared the summer storms. Mr. Feng could tell you more about his collection.”

Akitada looked at the Chinese merchant who smiled expectantly. “I had the pleasure of visiting your fine store yesterday, Mr. Feng. A young man showed me an extraordinary painting of a Chinese village. I also found some charming dolls to send to my children.”

If Feng was startled by this information, he handled it well. With a bow, he expressed himself deeply honored but devastated that he had not known of the governor’s visit. “Perhaps, if you’d advise me of your next visit, Excellency, I’ll be able to show you other wonderful things.”

“Thank you, Mr. Feng. I look forward to it.” Akitada turned back to the mayor. “What sort of administrator was Governor Tachibana? Did you find him easy to work with?”

The mayor shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t think any of us experienced any problems while he was governor.” He glanced at the other guests. “Does anyone here know of difficulties?” They all shook their heads.” Nakamura laughed a little nervously. “This is a peaceful place nowadays, Excellency. Nothing much happens here as a rule.”

Akitada raised his brows. “Really? I hear about violent men roaming the streets and attacking children. And my assistant managed to walk in on a murder investigation the very day I sent him to inspect Hakata’s police headquarters. For some reason, the chief, a Captain Okata, objected to his interest. He seemed to be under the impression local crime was not the business of the provincial tribunal.”

This produced an awkward silence.

Finally, Nakamura said, “Sometimes Okata can be very rude. I’ve said so myself. The fact is the district magistrate is in Hakata. Police headquarters are under his supervision. The provincial administration hasn’t operated as a tribunal for a long time.”

Feng added, “Okata is a good officer, a person of rank. Governor Tachibana had every faith in him. Perhaps he misunderstood a question.”

Akitada was still digesting the fact that the entire law enforcement for Chikuzen seemed to be located in Hakata and under Captain Okata. He considered Feng’s comment and nodded. “It’s possible. I shall have a talk with him myself.”

A light touch on his sleeve reminded him of the woman beside him. Fragrant Orchid extended a cup of wine to him. Her eyes were downcast, and she was flushed. It occurred to him that he had been unnecessarily rude by not paying her more attention. He said, “Forgive me. You have been very patient with me. It has been a long time since I’ve had such charming company.”

She glanced up with a quick smile and offered the wine with both hands. Her scent was quite heavy, stirring and warming his blood, perhaps because he knew why she was here. Hers was a flawless beauty of large, liquid eyes and full, moist lips. Like elegant women everywhere, she used make-up, whitening her skin and outlining her eyes with black. The paint enhanced her features and gave her an air of mystery. He said more gently, “Business all too often intervenes when we should relax and enjoy the beauties of this world.”

She dimpled and murmured back, “How painful that only the wine reminded you of me.”

He sipped without looking away from those strange eyes. “Not so. Rather my duties have blinded me momentarily.”

The mayor beside him chuckled. “I wondered when your Excellency would begin to enjoy the evening. Here comes the food. I hope our poor fare is not too humble for your taste.”

The atmosphere in the room relaxed considerably. The musicians struck up another tune, and the other guests chatted or flirted with the women beside them. Waiters passed around on silent feet, placing tray tables with dishes of food before each guest. Mouthwatering smells began to fill the room. The musicians struck up a new tune, and outside the moon had risen in the night sky, silvering the river below and the roof tops of the city beyond.