Page 26 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Not yet."

"Media?"

"No."

"Keep it that way."

Haruki leaned back in his office chair.

"You seem more willing than the others."

"I'm more curious."

"Curiosity can be expensive."

"So can ignorance."

The answer earned Haruki's attention.

"What's your name?"

"Professor Emi Takeda. Department of Historical Medicine."

"Historical medicine?"

"You said the room contained journals and possible human remains."

"I did."

"The symbol on the cover may indicate a medical lineage."

"May?"

"The image is poor."

"It was taken underground on a phone."

"Yes, I gathered."

Haruki ignored the criticism.

"Can you examine it?"

"Not alone."

"Who do you need?"

"Someone familiar with premodern cartography. Someone capable of reading classical medical shorthand. Possibly a conservator."

"That sounds like a team."

"It is."

"How soon?"

Professor Takeda went quiet.

"When do you want us?"