Page 295 of Mercy Written in Blood

"I authorised the redaction and transfer of the witness."

"To psychiatric care."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"The witness had identified a vampire whose exposure would have triggered a conflict between three bloodlines and a government ministry."

Haruki stared at him.

"A girl disappeared."

"Yes."

"And you protected the man who may have killed her."

"No."

Mori's voice did not rise.

"We detained the vampire privately."

"Was he guilty?"

"We could not prove it."

"Did he survive?"

"For eleven months."

Renji understood.

"Executed under Accord law."

"Yes."

"And Emi's family was never told."

"No."

Haruki stood. The movement was controlled. More dangerous for it.

"You knew enough to kill him."

"We knew enough to determine he had violated feeding law repeatedly."

"Did he kill her?"

"We never established that."

"You allowed her mother to believe she ran away."

"Yes."

Mori's composure remained intact. Only his hands betrayed him — one thumb pressed against the other, a repetitive movement, small, human. Haruki saw it too.

"Why?" he asked.