Chapter 21: The Heron's Tonic

Tsukumo returned with the kettle, the saucer and four candle stubs in a row.

Haruna set them on the counter and poured a measure of tea into the saucer.

"This won't take long," she said. "It's a very simple test."

"Then why do it in public?" Hakuro asked.

"Because you said the clients would want evidence."

She lit the candle under a pair of tongs, held the saucer over the flame and waited.

The tea bubbled and thickened and stuck to the china in a glossy brown film.

It did not take a minute.

The whole room leaned in to watch it harden.

"Sugar," Haruna said. "Burnt, and you can smell it. That's all I see for now."

"Then there is nothing in the tea," Hakuro said.

"There's something beneath it."

She took the penlight from Natsuki and shone it across the film.

A faint bluish sheen shimmered over the dark crust like oil on a puddle.

"Do you see that?"

"It's a sedative."

"A herbal one, from the valerian family, boiled down until it's bitter."

"Sugar to hide the taste."

"Clover to hide the smell."

She scraped a pinch of the crust onto her tongue and made a face.

"Yes. Bitter. It dulls the mind until you'll agree with anything."

"I can't be responsible for the contents of a cup," Hakuro said, "that your tanuki brought."

The young tanuki, standing alone on the mat, went the colour of paper.

"He's yours," said Haruna.

"He is a patient."

"He's yours."

"He came to the door with your wax seal and your tray."

"Do you want to ask him who made it?"

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