Page 304 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Accountability is not inheritance," Haruki said.

"No. But violence often is."

Haruki turned to Renji.

"Say something."

Renji looked at him.

"What would you have me say?"

"That this is indefensible."

"It is not that simple."

The words left before Renji could change them. Haruki went still. There. The disagreement. Not abstract. Not between investigator and physician. Between them.

"It is simple enough," Haruki said.

"No."

"They lied about your family."

"Yes."

"They concealed murders."

"Yes."

"They stole the truth from Sota's mother and helped destroy his life."

"Yes."

"And you are still defending them."

"I am not defending them."

"What are you doing?"

"Understanding the decision."

Haruki stepped back. As though the distinction had created distance.

"Understanding becomes defence quickly when you never refuse the outcome."

Renji felt the accusation. Because it contained truth.

"You think refusal absolves you from consequence," he said.

Haruki's expression hardened.

"I think there are choices we should not make, even when they are efficient."

"This was not efficiency."

"What would you call it?"

"Containment."