Page 16 of Mercy Written in Blood

"No."

Another pause.

"It's old."

"How old?"

"I don't know."

Haruki stood.

"Anyone hurt?"

"No."

"Has anyone gone inside?"

"A couple of the lads."

Haruki closed his eyes briefly.

"Were they supposed to?"

"...No."

"What did they find?"

"That's why I'm calling."

Haruki looked out across the courtyard, where workers crossed between buildings carrying folders and toolboxes. The city beyond carried on exactly as it always had.

"Talk to me."

Ken lowered his voice.

"There are shelves."

"And?"

"Books."

Haruki waited.

"Really old ones."

"Anything else?"

"...Bones."

The word lingered between them. Human, animal — nobody knew. Haruki was already moving.

"I'm coming."

The southern tunnel network stretched beneath some of the oldest districts in Takamori. Most people never thought about it: storm drains, utility corridors, maintenance access — necessary but invisible.

Haruki arrived twenty-five minutes later. Police tape had already been erected. Several construction workers stood together smoking in complete silence. Nobody laughed. Nobody joked. That alone told Haruki something was wrong.

Ken hurried over wearing a hard hat tucked beneath one arm.