Deceptive Message: Sue Lee Mystery, #4

By D.M. SORLIE

In the thrilling conclusion to his Sue Lee World War mystery series, "Deceptive Message," D.M. Sorlie leaves no stone unturned as he unveils the final piece of the puzzle. But before reaching this climactic moment, Sorlie takes readers on a captivating journey through time.
The story begins in Japan during the year 1051, with the mysterious death of a Samurai. This event sets in motion a new quest, one that will span centuries and continents. Brace yourself for a vicarious time travel experience as you are transported forward to the year 1943, when the war is nearing its conclusion and spies are being hunted down across the globe.
Amidst the chaos of war, you will have the opportunity to meet Sylvester, a fascinating character who happens to be Alex's friend and a skilled jewel thief. As the war draws to a close, celebrations ensue, but the secrets surrounding the long-lost Kazaritachi sword still linger. Unraveling the mysteries of this ancient artifact proves to be a dangerous endeavor, as a coded message lies hidden in plain sight, waiting to be deciphered.
However, the path to uncovering this treasure comes at a high price. Danger lurks around every corner, and the stakes are higher than ever. Will our heroes be able to crack the code and unlock the secrets of the Kazaritachi sword before it falls into the wrong hands?
With his trademark flair for suspense and intricate storytelling, D.M. Sorlie weaves a tale that will keep you on the edge until the very last page. Prepare to be captivated by the high-stakes adventure, the intricate puzzles, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
In "Deceptive Message," Sorlie delivers a satisfying conclusion to his World War mystery series, leaving readers breathless with anticipation as the final riddles come together. But be warned, for the path to uncovering this treasure is fraught with danger, and the price of knowledge may be higher than anyone could have imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Enchanted Island Publishing
• Release date: Apr 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386816683

D.M. SORLIE

D.M. is a native Arizonan living in Scottsdale, traveling has inspired several of his books throughout the years, including historical fiction, especially with a mystery thrown in.   Sue Lee Mysteries started after visiting an antique shop in Honolulu with the purchase of a vintage World War Two recruitment poster for women to serve. It was haunting knowing all the possibilities open for woman during those perilous times.   

Book preview

PROLOGUE

ITALY, HOSPITAL-SHIP ELSIE NOVEMBER 1943

When they entered the ward, it was chaos of wounded men shouting. The ones who could stand gathered on one side across the room, pushing bunks aside. They were swearing and yelling at a man holding Dr. Molly Glen in front of him with a small revolver aimed at her head.

On the floor was Dr. Leonard; blood was coming from his forehead. Katherine screamed, pushed men aside, and dropped beside her husband; Danny followed her to help. He stopped, looking at Molly’s frightened face.

The crowd quieted, except for one soldier who said. That Bastard has Jack’s dog tags! Tommy held up his hand; the private stopped talking.

Let the Fräulein go. Give me the gun. You’re losing blood fast; if you pass out, they will beat you to death. Is that what you want?

The room became silent after they realized he was speaking in German.

Tommy watched the blood flow from the wounded leg as he finished talking; he nodded toward the floor.

The boy looked down at the blood gathered at his feet and started faltering. Molly pushed out from under his arm and was trying to grab him before he fell.

The gun went off. Molly spun in a half-circle and fell to the floor with him.

Tommy and Danny dropped onto the floor next to her. Blood soaked the right side of her white smock.

You two help us, Danny shouted! We need to get them into the operating room!

Chapter One

THE KAZARITACHI SHEATH

HAWAII, APRIL 1943

Sue Lee hurried to meet Jimmy at the bank. She had a few hours off before her next shift. He was waiting in the lobby, standing by a door to an office. He waved her over and smiled.

We have the use of this private office. The manager is a friend and a customer. He winked. We can view the box in here, he said, holding the door open. The manager’s assistant quickly returned with a sizable safe deposit box. I have forgotten we have an enormous size, but Yoshi used it for storing scrolls.

They opened the box and saw small scrolls and other paper envelopes. That was neatly placed in the middle of what looked like a package beautifully wrapped in Furoshiki—a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to transport gifts or other goods. It winded around the outside of the papers like a snake.

The two of them carefully removed the other contents, lifted the flexible wrapping, and placed it on the table. They slowly started unwrapping the package; Sue Lee noticed the flower pattern on the cloth. Inside was a sheath with shell inlays, beautifully crafted. Sue Lee and Jimmy said at the same time, The Kazaritachi sheath?

Sue Lee said what they were both thinking.

Why are they separated? Where is the sword?

This is a total surprise; I did not know this was here. We should check the other contents; perhaps we will find information about the sword. Jimmy reached for one scroll. It just occurred to me that if the Japanese attacked the civilian areas during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, this beautiful eleventh-century treasure could have been destroyed.

I agree. If you tackle the other scrolls, I’ll start looking through these papers; I only have a few hours of leave. How long can we use this office? Sue Lee asked while placing a pile in front of her.

We are okay for a few hours. John is out doing a property appraisal. Jimmy opened the scroll open and started reading.

After an hour of scanning old shipping documents and contracts, it convinced Sue Lee they wouldn’t find information about the sword. She looked at Jimmy across the desk. He had several papers in one hand and intently read the same scroll folded out on the bureau. She admired his concentration. She thought if she read one more document, her eyes would glaze over.

What have you found, Jimmy? He looked up at her like it surprised him to see her, then quickly snapped out of it.

Sorry, I find this most intriguing. Yoshi created the sword maker’s past events and wrote a story about it in the eleventh century. Has he done this sort of thing before? It’s an excellent way to understand the history behind any treasured object.

Sue Lee knew Yoshi did this to market an item he was selling. The story about the subject was written in the buyer’s language in a scroll. He would place them in the display partially open to catch the potential buyer’s attention. His presentations were ingenious. Yoshi loved color and mixed it into the arrangements using silk cloths and flowers.

She smiled, thinking how pleased he was when his presentation sold with the artifact.

Yes, Yoshi often did a scroll in his settings and used storytelling to describe the item he was selling.

I say it’s an excellent way to make a demonstration. Experts take too much of our knowledge for granted and fail to pass interesting information on the item to our buyers. I wish my partner, Robert Merman, and I would have thought of the idea.

What is the story he did for the sword? Sue Lee asked, pushing her papers aside?

It is gory, but Yoshi depicts the period very well. I’m sure it would excite any buyer, especially men of means, looking for an action story attached to the sword. He said, handing the scroll to Sue Lee.

Chapter Two

DEATH OF THE SAMURAI

HAWAII, APRIL 1943

She had read Yoshi’s story presentation before and understood how he used more glory for the men and fashion and color for the women. Why did he do a story about the sword? It was not his, and she was sure he intended to return it to Ruffles museum? She set her thoughts aside and read.

Japan, the year 1051

A samurai lay dying in the rain in the burning fortress—a boy was by his side.

The village was the last outpost controlled by the Abe clan. They had been fighting in this northern region for nine years. It was a seamless, never-ending power struggle until now.

Death was coming fast to the fallen samurai. He had to speak with the boy before they overwhelmed the fortress. My sword, take it quickly. Keep it in your family. Run, hide! His last words choked. The boy watched the blood flowing from his mouth.

For a moment, the boy felt like he was in a dream watching the quiet death of the samurai.

Then suddenly, all of his senses came alive. He could smell smoke from the firebombs, mixed with the stench of burnt bodies now hacked beyond recognition.

He could hear women screaming as they watched the slaughtering of their children.

The Abe clan within the fortress was being killed by government forces led by the Shōgun Minamoto.

The boy had pulled the belt and scabbard free and was about to sheath the sword when he heard the splash of footsteps. Someone had just stepped out of the building and stood directly behind him.

The big man was a member of Kiyohara’s clan in the nearby Dewa province. They were helping the government forces destroy the Abe clan.

The man was drunk on death. He wanted to see the fear in the boy’s face before he chopped him to pieces.

He raised his sword and started bellowing as the young man turned and swung the samurai sword in an uppercut motion. The blade’s point went into the big man’s protruding belly and cut upward, all the way to his chin.

The man was left standing in death like a filleted fish as the boy ran away.

Akio was not a samurai but a sword maker in the tenth year of his father’s apprenticeship. He had grown up with a sword in his hands and knew how to handle himself in a fight. His family made the best swords in the district and traded with the samurai clans. He had forged this beautiful sword he now held.

He was tall for his eighteen years and muscular from working the forge. Akio had been caught up in the surprise attack during the trading with the Abe clan, but now that the Minamoto men were inside the fortress, he had a better chance of escaping. He knew a way out that would take him into the rough terrain,