Page 30 of Mercy Written in Blood

"What time will you arrive?"

"Nine."

"Use the southern vehicle entrance. Someone will meet you."

"And if I decide this belongs to the authorities?"

"Then we discuss how to involve them without destroying the site."

"You assume I'll discuss it."

"I assume you care more about the chamber than proving you're in charge."

Minamoto went silent. Then he laughed again.

"Nine o'clock, Mr Ishida."

Haruki spent the evening completing ordinary work — a licensing renewal, two property disputes, a request from a local shopkeeper whose son had accumulated gambling debts at an unaffiliated betting room. Haruki arranged for the debt to be frozen and sent two Family members to speak with the operator. Not threaten. Speak. There was a difference, even when people pretended otherwise.

At seven, he ate dinner at his desk. At eight, Reina appeared in the doorway carrying his coat.

"You're leaving."

"I'm working."

"You are leaving this office."

"To go underground."

"That still counts."

She tossed the coat at him. He caught it.

"Did you tell Hiroshi?"

"He's handling the casino."

"Mother?"

"She knows."

"Of course she does."

Reina leaned against the doorframe.

"You could let someone else manage this."

"I could."

"But you won't."

"No."

"Because it was found on our property?"

"Because our people found it."

"That isn't the same thing."