Page 157 of Mercy Written in Blood

Kael nodded.

"To confirm arrival."

"Why?"

"To see who came."

"They already knew."

"To confirm your response."

Haruki turned towards him.

"Response to what?"

Kael looked towards the place where Haruki had hidden the photograph.

"To a threat against the doctor."

The answer struck with precision. Haruki's expression did not change. He refused to let it. Reina looked at him anyway.

Kael continued.

"They wanted to know whether the image mattered to you."

Haruki thought of the camera position. The selected moment. Renji's hand near his side. His own smile. The photograph had not been chosen simply because Renji treated him. It had been selected because it suggested connection. And Haruki had carried it instead of leaving it on the desk. He had concealed it when Kael demanded it. Responded exactly as they intended.

"Did I give them an answer?" he asked.

Kael's silence did.

Haruki turned slowly. He examined the warehouse again — the dark sheeting, the wet concrete, the pale marks where equipment had been removed. He imagined people dismantling the room before dawn, working without haste, one team loading vehicles, another cleaning, someone monitoring Haruki'sheadquarters, his phone, the roads, waiting for confirmation that the Ishida Family had mobilised. They had not escaped minutes before his arrival. They had departed when they chose. The entire warehouse was a message.

We see you. We know what you value. We decide what remains.

Haruki looked towards Ken.

"Check every route we took."

"For trackers?"

"Everything. Vehicles, phones, Family security."

Reina's face had gone pale beneath her controlled expression.

"You think they're inside our systems."

"I think they knew we received the message before Kael called."

Kael said nothing. Haruki looked at him.

"That bothers you too."

"Yes."

"Accord channels?"

"Possibly."