Page 185 of Mercy Written in Blood

Haruki did not say he was sorry. He did not ask what happened. He placed his hand beneath the table, palm up on the cushion between them. An offering hidden from everyone else. Renji stared at it. Haruki kept his gaze on the table, listening as though Reina's complaint about the sauce required his full attention. The choice remained entirely Renji's. He could ignore the hand. No one would know. Haruki would not shame him.

That certainty was why Renji placed his fingers against Haruki's palm. Haruki's hand closed — not tightly. Warmth surrounded Renji's fingers beneath the table while dinner continued above it. No declaration. No demand. Only contact. Renji breathed.

Across from them, Hiroshi looked down. Then at Haruki. His mouth opened. Reina kicked him beneath the table. He winced and closed it. Ayako saw everything. Renji knew the moment her attention shifted — she did not look beneath the table, only first at Haruki's face, then at Renji's. Her expression revealed nothing. That was more concerning than surprise would have been.

Haruki released Renji's hand only when Ayako asked him to pass the pickles. The absence remained against Renji's skin.

Dessert ended the prohibition. The pear cake was placed at the centre of the table. Hiroshi took a piece before Ayako had been served and received a strike across the knuckles from Reina's spoon. Business resumed immediately afterwards.

Ken had barely swallowed his first bite before saying, "We found a camera near Renji's building."

Haruki set down his fork.

"Active?"

"Not now. The memory card was removed."

"Position?"

"Across from the entrance. Third-floor office."

Renji's attention sharpened.

"How long was it there?"

"We don't know."

The warmth of dinner receded. Not vanished. Contained. Ayako continued eating the cake. No one else did.

"Any prints?" Haruki asked.

"None."

"Leaseholder?"

"Shell company."

"Connected to the warehouse?"

"Possibly."

Hiroshi sighed.

"I miss the dog conversation."

Reina looked towards the plaque visible through the open doorway.

"Business is allowed."

"That doesn't make it enjoyable."

Renji glanced at Haruki. Authority had returned to him — the shift was subtle, his shoulders straightening, his expression becoming still. Every person at the table waited for him without appearing to. Boss. Not a role he had wanted. A role he performed so others could remain seated.

"Double security around the house," Haruki said. "Rotate everyone whose routine could be known. No one travels alone until we understand how long the surveillance has been active."

Daisuke nodded.

"Renji's building?" Ken asked.