Page 170 of Mercy Written in Blood

"I try to."

"You have spent centuries making yourself useful to people so they will never notice you want to be wanted."

The humour vanished. Renji felt the sentence enter places he did not permit Kael to see.

"That is enough."

"You let him see this apartment."

"Yes."

"You told him the truth."

"Yes."

"You allowed him to remain after he knew."

"Yes."

Kael held his gaze.

"And when I told you he had entered a possible Unveiled site, you were on your feet before I finished the sentence."

Renji said nothing.

"You are frightened," Kael said.

"For his safety."

"I know."

"That does not mean what you think it means."

"It means exactly what I think."

Renji turned towards the window. Morning light had begun to strengthen beyond the rain. People moved along the street below, umbrellas passing beneath power lines and bare branches. Haruki would be leaving the warehouse soon. Unless Kael had detained him. Unless he had found another lead. Unless the photograph had caused him to do something reckless. Renji was already calculating how long it would take to reach the freight district.

Behind him, Kael finished his tea. The cup touched the table.

"Do not go there," he said.

Renji looked over his shoulder.

"I had no intention of doing so."

"You are wearing outdoor shoes."

Renji looked down. He had put them on after Kael mentioned the warehouse. He had no memory of doing it.

Kael rose. This time, he did not smile.

"The photograph was not the only thing they left."

Renji's attention sharpened.

"What else?"

"An observation wall. Four years of surveillance on the Ishida Family."