The Way of the Traitor: A Samurai Mystery (36 page)
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Authors: Laura Joh Rowland
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BOOK: The Way of the Traitor: A Samurai Mystery
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Soon enough to save himself, Sano wondered, and Hirata? Soon enough to deliver Spaen's killer to the Dutch captain and prevent a war?
Outside, wooden soles clattered up the shrine's steps, heralding the approach of worshippers. In the distance, the urgent pulse of the war drums continued. Sano rose to leave.
oTell me the moment you hear, he said.
oYes, of course. How shall I reach you?
With his house ruined, the police surely looking for him, and nowhere to go, Sano said, oCan you suggest a quiet, discreet inn?
oThe Double Happiness. Ohira gave directions. oI'll send word to you there.
Before departing, Sano bowed to the inner sanctuary and placed a coin in the offertory box for good luck. Ohira remained kneeling, eyes closed in silent prayer. An unnatural serenity had fallen over him, lending a strange beauty to his ravaged face.
oWill you be all right? Sano asked, concerned for the man whose destruction would clear a path toward the truth, and his own salvation.
The chiefs voice sounded remote, preoccupied. oI shall just stay here awhile longer.
Guilt and pity gnawed at Sano; he felt no triumph over accomplishing this mission. Fervently he wished he was the sort of man who could have declined the investigation, or at least ended it before destroying Peony, Old Carp, and Ohira or endangering Hirata and the nation. His truth-seeking nature seemed a curse, the serving of his personal code of justice a cruel self-indulgence. Yet what could he do now but see the investigation through to the finish? And he still felt in his deepest soul that this was right. He must serve honor and accept his fate "just as Ohira had.
oI'm sorry, he said softly, but the chief gave no sign that he'd heard.
Sano left the shrine, intending to take shelter at the inn while waiting for Ohira's message. But when he stepped outside the torii gate, a premonition of danger stabbed him a moment before he spied its cause.
Down the highway past him marched a huge procession, led by footsoldiers carrying banners emblazoned with the Tokugawa crest. Mounted troops escorted three palanquins whose open windows framed solemn, elderly officials dressed in black ceremonial caps and robes. An army of servants and porters followed, carrying chests and bundles. Sano's throat constricted; dread sickened him.
The treason tribunal had arrived a day earlier than expected. Time had run out. And Sano had no chance to adjust his plans. From the direction of the city stampeded an angry horde of samurai: Yoriki Ota, in full battle uniform, riding a gaudily caparisoned steed; doshin brandishing jitte; police assistants carrying sticks, ropes, and ladders; mounted troops and footsoldiers; a drenched and furious Nirin.
oThere he is! shouted Nirin, who must have led the pack to the shrine. oGet him!
The horde swept down upon Sano. The police stripped off his sword, bound his hands, and interlocked the ladders around him to form a cage.
oYour trial begins tomorrow morning, Yoriki Ota informed Sano with a triumphant leer. oUntil then, you will enjoy the generous hospitality of Nagasaki Jail. He slapped the reins and motioned for his subordinates to follow. oLet's go!
Caged like an animal, prodded by sticks, hounded by jeers, and ready to die of shame and despair, Sano began the long walk to Nagasaki Jail.
Chapter 32
THE TREASON TRIBUNAL convened in the reception hall of the mansion where the three magistrates were staying. Bleak, early morning light barely penetrated the barred windows. Lanterns cast a sinister yellow glow over the magistrates, who wore black ceremonial robes and surcoats bearing the Tokugawa crest, black caps, and black-hilted swords, seated upon the dais. Court officials and secretaries knelt behind desks. Soldiers guarded the doors. Across a wall mural painted in murky colors, mounted archers hunted a tiger through a forest.
Sano, the accused, wearing a dirty muslin kimono, knelt on a straw mat before the dais on the shirasu: an area of floor covered with white sand, symbol of truth.
oThe trial of Ssakan Sano Ichir is now in session, intoned the magistrate who occupied the center position on the dais, behind a low table piled with scrolls. About sixty years of age, he had a long, rectangular face with jutting chin and razor-edged cheekbones. His body was fit and strong, his posture erect. oHearing this case are Magistrates Segawa Fumio of Hakata and Dazai Moriya of Kurume. He bowed to the men on either side of him; the secretaries recorded his words. From the hills above the city came the pounding of the war drums, like a monsters heartbeat. oAnd myself, in the capacity of supreme judge: Takeda Kenzan of Kumamoto.
Sano's throat clenched as he recognized the name. Takeda was famous for a conviction rate of nearly 100 percent, and for the harshness of his sentences. Of the other judges, Sano knew nothing. They represented his chief hope of acquittal, yet their impassive faces betrayed no mercy.
oThe defendant is charged with six counts of treason, Supreme Judge Takeda said. oOperating a smuggling ring; persecuting Japanese citizens; procuring weapons from the Dutch; conspiring with them to overthrow the government; enlisting Chinese military support; and practicing Christianity.
As Sano prepared to refute the accusations and persuade the judges to let him catch the real criminals, his thoughts were clouded by pain, fatigue, and worry. He'd spent a hellish night in a filthy prison cell. The jailers had denied him food and water, while what seemed like every samurai in town had come to taunt the highest-ranking inmate Nagasaki Jail had ever housed. The trip to the courtroom had further taxed Sano's strength and wounded his pride. Guards had forced him to walk in the ladder cage past jeering crowds who hurled stones and garbage. His injured shoulder ached; his bruises throbbed; he stank, and knew his appearance would prejudice the judges as much as the lies told about him. Worst of all, the jailers had confiscated the stolen records from Deshima, leaving Sano no evidence for his defense.
oAdditional charges against the defendant were brought by the Honorable Governor Nagai yesterday, Supreme Judge Takeda said. oTrespassing on Deshima and attacking the staff. Bribing the Dutch ship's crew. Takeda indicated the scrolls on the table. oWe the judges have reviewed the witnesses' statements and deem them satisfactory. We hereby find the accused guilty of all the aforementioned crimes.
Staring in shock and disbelief, Sano demanded, oThat's it? He'd known his chances of fair treatment were slim; yet he hadn't expected such a perfunctory condemnation. oDon't the witnesses have to testify? Am I not even allowed to present my own defense? o Even the lowliest peasant usually had his say before the verdict was rendered, and the chance to face his accusers in court. You can't be serious.
oNo one gave you permission to speak, whined Judge Segawa, a wizened little man with a prissy mouth. He turned to Supreme Judge Takeda. oLet us pronounce the sentence and conclude this distasteful business as expediently as the Honorable Chamberlain Yanagisawa would wish.
Plump, bland Judge Dazai nodded. Sano lost all hope of finding allies in these men, who were obviously Yanagisawa's flunkies and sought to win the chamberlain's approbation by destroying him. But he wouldn't surrender without a fight.
oThe charges are false, Sano said hotly. oThe so-called witnesses have framed me to protect themselves. The judges frowned in wordless disapproval. Officials, secretaries, and guards watched with disdain. oI demand a chance to prove my innocence!
After the echo of his voice faded, the ensuing silence lasted an eternity. Then Judge Segawa said, oThis emotional outburst is extremely offensive. Takeda-san, I beg you to end these proceedings now.
But Supreme Judge Takeda's attention was focused on Sano; interest narrowed his eyes. oDue to the severity of the charges, I'll allow the accused to speak on his own behalf. To Sano, he said, oGo ahead.
Maybe Takeda was merely curious to hear what he would say. But Sano glimpsed in the supreme judge the type of official who wished to believe that everything the government did was right, so he could claim by virtue of association to a share of the honor. Thus he turned a blind eye to malfeasance in his colleagues. When enforcing laws, he erred on the side of harshness because he perceived any offense as a personal insult and preferred that the innocent occasionally be punished rather than the guilty ever go free. Hence, Supreme Judge Takeda had accepted the witnesses' testimony and assumed Sano's guilt. However, if Sano read Takeda right, the judge wouldn't be satisfied with punishing one man if there was a chance that other criminals might be caught. And by agreeing to listen, Takeda had demonstrated more independent spirit than his fellow judges.
Now Sano launched into the most eloquent, desperate speech of his life. He justified his misinterpreted actions. He mentioned his service record as proof of his loyalty and good character. He related Assistant Director deGraeff's, Dr. Huygens's, Abbot Liu Yun's, and Urabe's motives for killing Jan Spaen. He explained how he'd discovered the smuggling, and his case against the Deshima staff, and that Peony had surely died because of what she knew. Sano cited the burning of his house as evidence of a conspiracy against him "one that certainly included Nagasaki's all-knowing, all-powerful governor. Last, Sano told of the falsified records, Chief Ohira's confession, and his plan for capturing the real smugglers and exposing whoever had murdered Jan Spaen and Peony.
oHonorable Judges, I swear upon my honor that I have spoken the truth, Sano finished, hoarse and shaky from intense physical and mental exertion. oI beg you to believe me, and to dispense justice to the actual perpetrators of these heinous crimes!
Officials and secretaries laid down their brushes; the guards stood like motionless shadows. Sano could tell by the judges' reflective expressions that they saw the logic in his statement and knew they couldn't shirk their professional responsibility by dismissing it outright. He felt a surge of premature elation.
Then Supreme Judge Takeda said, oDo you have the documents you mentioned?
oNo, Honorable Judge, Sano was forced to admit. oThey were confiscated after my arrest.
Judge Segawa laughed, a shrill, nasty cackle. oMore likely they never existed. He and Judge Dazai exchanged nods, their complacency restored, their goal of pleasing Chamberlain Yanagisawa within easy reach.
oBut Ohira's confession will hold, Sano added hastily. oHe wants to enforce the law. The disappearance of the records won't matter to him. Sano decided to worry about whether this was true if and when Supreme Judge Takeda agreed to cooperate. oBring Ohira in. He should know by now when and where the smugglers plan to meet. Give me a chance, and I'll deliver them all to you.
Supreme Judge Takeda's thick brows drew together in a scowl. oYou insult me, Ssakan Sano, if you think I would act on unsubstantiated claims from someone with everything to gain by slandering other men. Do you take me for a fool?
The other judges smirked. A sense of doom fell over Sano.
oThe original verdict stands: guilty on all counts, Takeda said. oI will now pronounce the sentence.
oSano Ichir is denied the privilege of restoring his honor through ritual suicide. His head shall be severed at a public execution, and his remains displayed as a warning to potential traitors. Takeda clapped his hands twice.
Guards rushed over and seized Sano. oNo, he cried. oI swear I'm telling the truth!
This was a samurai's worst nightmare: to toil and sacrifice in loyal service to his lord, yet end his life in disgrace and dishonor. From the depths of Sano's soul exploded a fireball of anger at his accusers, at Chamberlain Yanagisawa and the entire corrupt bakufu. He kicked and flailed, scattering the white sand of truth. But the guards locked iron shackles around his wrists and ankles.
oLet me go. I'm innocent!
Then, as the guards dragged him toward the door, it flew open. A running figure burst into the room, followed by a shouting, sword-waving mob. Shocked out of his pain, shame, and anger, Sano recognized the runner. oHirata? His heart swelled with joy, then contracted in horror. The soldiers would surely kill Hirata. oNo!
oSsakan-sama. Merciful gods, I'm not too late. Hirata fell to his knees before the dais and the surprised judges. He wore nothing but a loincloth. Dirt and sweat streaked his body. Most startling of all, he'd shaved his head. Bowing to the judges, he spoke in a breathless rush. oHonorable Judges, I've come to plead for my master's life. I beg your permission to prove his innocence.
As Sano watched helplessly, the mob surrounded Hirata. oThis man got past us before we could stop him, said the commander. oMy apologies for the interruption. To his men: oThis is the fugitive traitor and murderer. Take him outside and kill him.
The soldiers hoisted Hirata's struggling body over their heads. oNo! Sano leapt to the rescue, but his captors jerked his chains. He fell with a crash. The guards carried Hirata past him.
oWait. Supreme Judge Takeda's voice boomed from the dais, halting the soldiers' rush. oBring him back.
oWhat? Why? bleated Judge Segawa.
Takeda ignored him. The soldiers dumped Hirata facedown in front of the dais. Sano, lying on the floor in a tangle of iron, watched in puzzlement as the supreme judge studied Hirata. Takeda's strange expression offered no clue to his intentions.
oSit up, Takeda ordered Hirata, who did. oAre you the man accused of abetting Ssakan Sano's treason, breaking into the treasurer's mansion, and murdering a soldier?
Hirata bowed. oYes, but I'm innocent, and so is my master. His voice cracked; he cleared his throat and continued bravely, oPlease forgive my intrusion, Honorable Judge, and please allow me to explain.
oIn a moment. Supreme Judge Takeda regarded Hirata in apparent fascination. oI understand you've been in hiding. How have you occupied yourself during that time?
Outside, wooden soles clattered up the shrine's steps, heralding the approach of worshippers. In the distance, the urgent pulse of the war drums continued. Sano rose to leave.
oTell me the moment you hear, he said.
oYes, of course. How shall I reach you?
With his house ruined, the police surely looking for him, and nowhere to go, Sano said, oCan you suggest a quiet, discreet inn?
oThe Double Happiness. Ohira gave directions. oI'll send word to you there.
Before departing, Sano bowed to the inner sanctuary and placed a coin in the offertory box for good luck. Ohira remained kneeling, eyes closed in silent prayer. An unnatural serenity had fallen over him, lending a strange beauty to his ravaged face.
oWill you be all right? Sano asked, concerned for the man whose destruction would clear a path toward the truth, and his own salvation.
The chiefs voice sounded remote, preoccupied. oI shall just stay here awhile longer.
Guilt and pity gnawed at Sano; he felt no triumph over accomplishing this mission. Fervently he wished he was the sort of man who could have declined the investigation, or at least ended it before destroying Peony, Old Carp, and Ohira or endangering Hirata and the nation. His truth-seeking nature seemed a curse, the serving of his personal code of justice a cruel self-indulgence. Yet what could he do now but see the investigation through to the finish? And he still felt in his deepest soul that this was right. He must serve honor and accept his fate "just as Ohira had.
oI'm sorry, he said softly, but the chief gave no sign that he'd heard.
Sano left the shrine, intending to take shelter at the inn while waiting for Ohira's message. But when he stepped outside the torii gate, a premonition of danger stabbed him a moment before he spied its cause.
Down the highway past him marched a huge procession, led by footsoldiers carrying banners emblazoned with the Tokugawa crest. Mounted troops escorted three palanquins whose open windows framed solemn, elderly officials dressed in black ceremonial caps and robes. An army of servants and porters followed, carrying chests and bundles. Sano's throat constricted; dread sickened him.
The treason tribunal had arrived a day earlier than expected. Time had run out. And Sano had no chance to adjust his plans. From the direction of the city stampeded an angry horde of samurai: Yoriki Ota, in full battle uniform, riding a gaudily caparisoned steed; doshin brandishing jitte; police assistants carrying sticks, ropes, and ladders; mounted troops and footsoldiers; a drenched and furious Nirin.
oThere he is! shouted Nirin, who must have led the pack to the shrine. oGet him!
The horde swept down upon Sano. The police stripped off his sword, bound his hands, and interlocked the ladders around him to form a cage.
oYour trial begins tomorrow morning, Yoriki Ota informed Sano with a triumphant leer. oUntil then, you will enjoy the generous hospitality of Nagasaki Jail. He slapped the reins and motioned for his subordinates to follow. oLet's go!
Caged like an animal, prodded by sticks, hounded by jeers, and ready to die of shame and despair, Sano began the long walk to Nagasaki Jail.
Chapter 32
THE TREASON TRIBUNAL convened in the reception hall of the mansion where the three magistrates were staying. Bleak, early morning light barely penetrated the barred windows. Lanterns cast a sinister yellow glow over the magistrates, who wore black ceremonial robes and surcoats bearing the Tokugawa crest, black caps, and black-hilted swords, seated upon the dais. Court officials and secretaries knelt behind desks. Soldiers guarded the doors. Across a wall mural painted in murky colors, mounted archers hunted a tiger through a forest.
Sano, the accused, wearing a dirty muslin kimono, knelt on a straw mat before the dais on the shirasu: an area of floor covered with white sand, symbol of truth.
oThe trial of Ssakan Sano Ichir is now in session, intoned the magistrate who occupied the center position on the dais, behind a low table piled with scrolls. About sixty years of age, he had a long, rectangular face with jutting chin and razor-edged cheekbones. His body was fit and strong, his posture erect. oHearing this case are Magistrates Segawa Fumio of Hakata and Dazai Moriya of Kurume. He bowed to the men on either side of him; the secretaries recorded his words. From the hills above the city came the pounding of the war drums, like a monsters heartbeat. oAnd myself, in the capacity of supreme judge: Takeda Kenzan of Kumamoto.
Sano's throat clenched as he recognized the name. Takeda was famous for a conviction rate of nearly 100 percent, and for the harshness of his sentences. Of the other judges, Sano knew nothing. They represented his chief hope of acquittal, yet their impassive faces betrayed no mercy.
oThe defendant is charged with six counts of treason, Supreme Judge Takeda said. oOperating a smuggling ring; persecuting Japanese citizens; procuring weapons from the Dutch; conspiring with them to overthrow the government; enlisting Chinese military support; and practicing Christianity.
As Sano prepared to refute the accusations and persuade the judges to let him catch the real criminals, his thoughts were clouded by pain, fatigue, and worry. He'd spent a hellish night in a filthy prison cell. The jailers had denied him food and water, while what seemed like every samurai in town had come to taunt the highest-ranking inmate Nagasaki Jail had ever housed. The trip to the courtroom had further taxed Sano's strength and wounded his pride. Guards had forced him to walk in the ladder cage past jeering crowds who hurled stones and garbage. His injured shoulder ached; his bruises throbbed; he stank, and knew his appearance would prejudice the judges as much as the lies told about him. Worst of all, the jailers had confiscated the stolen records from Deshima, leaving Sano no evidence for his defense.
oAdditional charges against the defendant were brought by the Honorable Governor Nagai yesterday, Supreme Judge Takeda said. oTrespassing on Deshima and attacking the staff. Bribing the Dutch ship's crew. Takeda indicated the scrolls on the table. oWe the judges have reviewed the witnesses' statements and deem them satisfactory. We hereby find the accused guilty of all the aforementioned crimes.
Staring in shock and disbelief, Sano demanded, oThat's it? He'd known his chances of fair treatment were slim; yet he hadn't expected such a perfunctory condemnation. oDon't the witnesses have to testify? Am I not even allowed to present my own defense? o Even the lowliest peasant usually had his say before the verdict was rendered, and the chance to face his accusers in court. You can't be serious.
oNo one gave you permission to speak, whined Judge Segawa, a wizened little man with a prissy mouth. He turned to Supreme Judge Takeda. oLet us pronounce the sentence and conclude this distasteful business as expediently as the Honorable Chamberlain Yanagisawa would wish.
Plump, bland Judge Dazai nodded. Sano lost all hope of finding allies in these men, who were obviously Yanagisawa's flunkies and sought to win the chamberlain's approbation by destroying him. But he wouldn't surrender without a fight.
oThe charges are false, Sano said hotly. oThe so-called witnesses have framed me to protect themselves. The judges frowned in wordless disapproval. Officials, secretaries, and guards watched with disdain. oI demand a chance to prove my innocence!
After the echo of his voice faded, the ensuing silence lasted an eternity. Then Judge Segawa said, oThis emotional outburst is extremely offensive. Takeda-san, I beg you to end these proceedings now.
But Supreme Judge Takeda's attention was focused on Sano; interest narrowed his eyes. oDue to the severity of the charges, I'll allow the accused to speak on his own behalf. To Sano, he said, oGo ahead.
Maybe Takeda was merely curious to hear what he would say. But Sano glimpsed in the supreme judge the type of official who wished to believe that everything the government did was right, so he could claim by virtue of association to a share of the honor. Thus he turned a blind eye to malfeasance in his colleagues. When enforcing laws, he erred on the side of harshness because he perceived any offense as a personal insult and preferred that the innocent occasionally be punished rather than the guilty ever go free. Hence, Supreme Judge Takeda had accepted the witnesses' testimony and assumed Sano's guilt. However, if Sano read Takeda right, the judge wouldn't be satisfied with punishing one man if there was a chance that other criminals might be caught. And by agreeing to listen, Takeda had demonstrated more independent spirit than his fellow judges.
Now Sano launched into the most eloquent, desperate speech of his life. He justified his misinterpreted actions. He mentioned his service record as proof of his loyalty and good character. He related Assistant Director deGraeff's, Dr. Huygens's, Abbot Liu Yun's, and Urabe's motives for killing Jan Spaen. He explained how he'd discovered the smuggling, and his case against the Deshima staff, and that Peony had surely died because of what she knew. Sano cited the burning of his house as evidence of a conspiracy against him "one that certainly included Nagasaki's all-knowing, all-powerful governor. Last, Sano told of the falsified records, Chief Ohira's confession, and his plan for capturing the real smugglers and exposing whoever had murdered Jan Spaen and Peony.
oHonorable Judges, I swear upon my honor that I have spoken the truth, Sano finished, hoarse and shaky from intense physical and mental exertion. oI beg you to believe me, and to dispense justice to the actual perpetrators of these heinous crimes!
Officials and secretaries laid down their brushes; the guards stood like motionless shadows. Sano could tell by the judges' reflective expressions that they saw the logic in his statement and knew they couldn't shirk their professional responsibility by dismissing it outright. He felt a surge of premature elation.
Then Supreme Judge Takeda said, oDo you have the documents you mentioned?
oNo, Honorable Judge, Sano was forced to admit. oThey were confiscated after my arrest.
Judge Segawa laughed, a shrill, nasty cackle. oMore likely they never existed. He and Judge Dazai exchanged nods, their complacency restored, their goal of pleasing Chamberlain Yanagisawa within easy reach.
oBut Ohira's confession will hold, Sano added hastily. oHe wants to enforce the law. The disappearance of the records won't matter to him. Sano decided to worry about whether this was true if and when Supreme Judge Takeda agreed to cooperate. oBring Ohira in. He should know by now when and where the smugglers plan to meet. Give me a chance, and I'll deliver them all to you.
Supreme Judge Takeda's thick brows drew together in a scowl. oYou insult me, Ssakan Sano, if you think I would act on unsubstantiated claims from someone with everything to gain by slandering other men. Do you take me for a fool?
The other judges smirked. A sense of doom fell over Sano.
oThe original verdict stands: guilty on all counts, Takeda said. oI will now pronounce the sentence.
oSano Ichir is denied the privilege of restoring his honor through ritual suicide. His head shall be severed at a public execution, and his remains displayed as a warning to potential traitors. Takeda clapped his hands twice.
Guards rushed over and seized Sano. oNo, he cried. oI swear I'm telling the truth!
This was a samurai's worst nightmare: to toil and sacrifice in loyal service to his lord, yet end his life in disgrace and dishonor. From the depths of Sano's soul exploded a fireball of anger at his accusers, at Chamberlain Yanagisawa and the entire corrupt bakufu. He kicked and flailed, scattering the white sand of truth. But the guards locked iron shackles around his wrists and ankles.
oLet me go. I'm innocent!
Then, as the guards dragged him toward the door, it flew open. A running figure burst into the room, followed by a shouting, sword-waving mob. Shocked out of his pain, shame, and anger, Sano recognized the runner. oHirata? His heart swelled with joy, then contracted in horror. The soldiers would surely kill Hirata. oNo!
oSsakan-sama. Merciful gods, I'm not too late. Hirata fell to his knees before the dais and the surprised judges. He wore nothing but a loincloth. Dirt and sweat streaked his body. Most startling of all, he'd shaved his head. Bowing to the judges, he spoke in a breathless rush. oHonorable Judges, I've come to plead for my master's life. I beg your permission to prove his innocence.
As Sano watched helplessly, the mob surrounded Hirata. oThis man got past us before we could stop him, said the commander. oMy apologies for the interruption. To his men: oThis is the fugitive traitor and murderer. Take him outside and kill him.
The soldiers hoisted Hirata's struggling body over their heads. oNo! Sano leapt to the rescue, but his captors jerked his chains. He fell with a crash. The guards carried Hirata past him.
oWait. Supreme Judge Takeda's voice boomed from the dais, halting the soldiers' rush. oBring him back.
oWhat? Why? bleated Judge Segawa.
Takeda ignored him. The soldiers dumped Hirata facedown in front of the dais. Sano, lying on the floor in a tangle of iron, watched in puzzlement as the supreme judge studied Hirata. Takeda's strange expression offered no clue to his intentions.
oSit up, Takeda ordered Hirata, who did. oAre you the man accused of abetting Ssakan Sano's treason, breaking into the treasurer's mansion, and murdering a soldier?
Hirata bowed. oYes, but I'm innocent, and so is my master. His voice cracked; he cleared his throat and continued bravely, oPlease forgive my intrusion, Honorable Judge, and please allow me to explain.
oIn a moment. Supreme Judge Takeda regarded Hirata in apparent fascination. oI understand you've been in hiding. How have you occupied yourself during that time?
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