Page 270 of Mercy Written in Blood

"He called me," she said. "That night. He said someone was following him."

The room listened. No one shifted.

"He was laughing when he said it. He thought I'd tell him he was being dramatic." Her mouth tightened. "I did."

Sota did not interrupt.

"He said the man had been outside the bar. Then outside the station. He sent me a photograph."

"Did you keep it?"

"Yes."

"What happened to it?"

"The police said there wasn't enough detail."

"And your brother?"

"Found two days later."

She looked towards Renji. Not at Haruki. At Renji. The recognition in her face was not personal. It was species. Haruki felt Renji become still beside him.

"There was almost no blood," she said.

Renji held her gaze.

"I am sorry."

She laughed once. A hard, broken sound.

"Are you?"

"Yes."

"You don't even know his name."

"No."

"Then why are you sorry?"

"Because someone harmed him. Because you were left with questions. Because those responsible for answering them decided your ignorance was useful."

The room changed. Not softened. Shifted. Several people looked at Renji differently. The woman did not.

"My brother's name was Kenta."

Renji inclined his head.

"I will remember it."

She looked away before emotion could alter her face further. Haruki watched Renji. No performance. No defence of vampires. No reminder that one person's crime did not condemn a species. Only the acceptance of grief placed in front of him.

Sota watched too. Something unreadable crossed his face. Then he advanced the presentation.

A police memorandum appeared. Most names had been redacted. At the top of the page, one phrase remained visible.

FIRST LAW COMPLIANCE REQUIRED