Page 142 of Mercy Written in Blood

"My uncle was next in line after him. He had experience. Support. He wanted the position."

"But he did not receive it."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because my father named me before he died."

Renji waited. The rain had eased. Water still travelled down the glass in narrow, intersecting paths.

"He had no warning," Haruki said. "He was at dinner. Then he had a headache. By the time they reached the hospital, he could no longer speak."

"You said he named you."

"He wrote it."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

The answer came with more force than Haruki intended. His hand closed around the edge of the windowsill.

"Everyone else claims they do. They say he saw strength in me. Loyalty. Judgement. That he knew I would protect the Family rather than use it."

"Do you believe them?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I was twenty-four."

"That does not answer the question."

Haruki gave a humourless laugh.

"You sound like me."

"You do that often."

Haruki's reflection looked older than the man beside him.

"I wasn't ready," he said. "I had never managed anything larger than one of our clubs. I made decisions because I knew someone else could reverse them if I was wrong."

"And then no one could."

"No."

The word was almost inaudible. Haruki looked down at his hands.

"I had plans."

"What plans?"

"Nothing important."

"They were important to you."