Page 195 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Nothing," Haruki said.

Renji held his gaze.

"You used the first method."

"What?"

"A joke, another question or charm."

"I didn't make a joke."

"You avoided the subject."

"That wasn't on your list."

"It is now."

Haruki smiled.

"You're learning."

"So are you."

Renji's answer was quiet. The room changed around it. Haruki did not ask what he meant. He suspected he knew. That frightened him enough. He reached for his coffee again.

The cup sat on the far side of the table, beyond the stack of books. Haruki leaned forward, extending one hand. His sleeve caught the corner of the top book. It slid. Haruki caught it before it fell. He looked at Renji. Renji looked at the book. Neither spoke.

Haruki placed it carefully back on the stack.

"There."

"You could have moved the books."

"I handled it."

"The table is not designed to support your lack of coordination."

"I am extremely coordinated."

"You walked into a hospital trolley."

"It moved."

"It was locked."

"The corridor was narrow."

"It was four metres wide."

Haruki stood to retrieve the cup from the other side.

"I was injured."

"That occurred before your injury."

"Then I was distracted."

"By a stationary trolley."