Page 29 of Mercy Written in Blood

"As you wish."

Her acceptance did not sound like agreement.

By late afternoon, Professor Takeda had assembled a team. Dr Masaru Endo specialised in historical maps and urban development. Dr Chiyo Kameda was a conservator attached to the university library. The third historian, Professor Satoru Minamoto, required no introduction — even Haruki knew his name. Minamoto had written extensively on Takamori's oldest districts and the repeated disappearances of whole communities from official records; his lectures were popular because he treated history less like a collection of dates and more like a series of unresolved crimes. He also had a reputation for refusing instructions. Haruki suspected they would get along.

The professor called personally.

"I have reviewed the images."

"And?"

"I believe the chamber predates the construction records for the district."

"That sounds obvious."

"It means it may predate the district itself."

Haruki looked at the old map on his screen.

"How old?"

"I won't guess from photographs."

"You must have an idea."

"I have several. None I am prepared to say aloud."

"That bad?"

"That interesting."

There was no fear in Minamoto's voice. Only hunger. Not greed — recognition. The kind of hunger Haruki had heard in people who had spent their whole lives searching for something and suddenly suspected it might be real.

"You understand this remains confidential," Haruki said.

"I understand discretion."

"That is not the same thing."

"No. It is more useful."

Haruki sat forward.

"No assistants. No students. No university equipment that can be remotely tracked."

"You have considered this carefully."

"I'm responsible for everyone involved."

"You are responsible for the Ishida Family."

"In this matter, that includes you."

Minamoto laughed softly.

"I see why people follow you."

Haruki disliked the observation — not because it was critical, but because it felt too personal from a man he had not met.