Page 188 of Mercy Written in Blood

The Laugh

Haruki arrived at Renji's apartment carrying coffee and an argument. The coffee came from a small shop near the hospital that Renji had described as tolerable, which Haruki had correctly interpreted as high praise. The argument concerned the two Ishida men stationed outside the building.

Renji opened the door, looked at the cardboard tray in Haruki's hand, then past him towards the street.

"They are still there."

"Good evening to you too."

"I told you to remove them."

"You agreed to two."

"I agreed under duress."

"You negotiated the number."

"That does not imply consent."

"It strongly suggests it."

Renji stepped aside. Haruki entered before the invitation could be reconsidered.

The apartment looked exactly as it had on his first visit. Almost. The books remained ordered. The sword rested on its stand. The green-shaded lamp warmed the desk. The record shelves still occupied one wall, each album returned to its proper place. Buta second pair of slippers now waited beside the door. They were larger than Akiko's.

Haruki looked down at them. Renji followed his gaze.

"They were inexpensive."

"I didn't say anything."

"You were about to."

"I was going to ask whether you regularly purchase footwear for people you don't want visiting."

"The previous pair did not fit."

"So you noticed."

"It was visually obvious."

Haruki removed his shoes. The slippers fit perfectly. He chose not to smile until Renji turned away.

"You could have told me what size to buy," Renji said.

"You could have asked."

"That would have encouraged you."

"And buying them didn't?"

Renji took one of the coffees from the tray.

"That remains to be determined."

Haruki followed him into the sitting room. He had visited twice since Sunday dinner. Neither occasion had been planned. The first had begun when Renji called to complain about the security detail and ended with Haruki bringing food because the conversation had continued through dinner. The second had occurred after a late meeting near the hospital; Haruki had intended to stay for ten minutes and left after midnight.

Nothing had happened. Nothing that could be named. They had spoken, listened to music, argued about whether a historical novel Renji disliked was required to be accurate if it never claimed to be. Haruki had fallen asleep for eleven minutes on thesofa. Renji had placed a blanket over him and denied it despite the blanket remaining visible when Haruki woke.