Page 27 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Tonight."

"That isn't how academic work operates."

"It is how secrecy operates."

"I haven't agreed to secrecy."

"Then we have a problem."

Haruki looked through the glass wall of his office. Beyond it, Family members moved between desks, phones rang, someone delivered a stack of invoices to Daichi, and Reina stood near the entrance arguing with a supplier over the quality ofimported rice. Ordinary business continued. Beneath the city, the chamber waited.

"I'm not asking you to steal anything," Haruki said. "I'm asking you to document it before a dozen departments begin fighting over jurisdiction."

"And why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't."

The professor seemed taken aback. Haruki continued.

"You should judge the site, the condition of the materials and the way my people have protected it. If you believe we've mishandled anything, you can walk out and make whatever calls you consider necessary."

"That could expose your Family to investigation."

"Yes."

"And you're comfortable with that?"

"No. But it is still the correct answer."

Another silence. Then:

"I'll need to speak to two colleagues."

"Do it."

"I said I'll need to speak to them, not that we're coming."

"What would convince you?"

"Better photographs. The full chamber. Every wall. The bones from a respectful distance. The journal without moving it."

"You'll have them within the hour."

"Mr Ishida—"

"Haruki."

"What?"

"If you're going to crawl through my tunnels in the middle of the night, you may as well use my first name."

Professor Takeda exhaled.

"Send the images, Haruki."

The call ended.

Ayako sat across from him. Haruki had forgotten she was there — she had listened to the entire conversation without once interrupting.