Page 95 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Bring the surviving evidence."

"No."

"Worth asking."

Kael turned and left. His companions fell into step beside him as the doors opened. The woman gave Haruki a look that promised future difficulty. Haruki smiled politely. The doors closed.

Silence remained behind them. Then Reina rounded on him.

"You lied to the Accord."

"Yes."

"We do not have copies."

"No."

Ken sat down heavily.

"They'll discover that."

"Not before we make them."

Ayako placed her cup on the table.

"From what?"

Haruki looked at Ken.

"The workers took photographs."

"The Accord seized their phones."

"Cloud backups."

Ken's expression changed. Toma had photographed the chamber. Toma was dead. His phone might have been seized, but automatic backups did not care who held the device afterwards.

"I'll check," Ken said.

"Quietly."

"You think Kael doesn't know?"

"I think Kael knows many things. I also think he agreed because the possibility was enough."

Reina stared at Haruki.

"You should be in hospital."

"I have been informed."

"You tore stitches getting out of the car."

Haruki looked down. A small stain had begun to spread beneath the dressing. Ken swore. Ayako's expression hardened. Reina stepped closer and opened Haruki's shirt before he could stop her.

"It's bleeding."

"Superficially."