Page 344 of Mercy Written in Blood

The door opened immediately. Ken stood in the corridor wearing body armour beneath an unbuttoned shirt, a purple bruise spread along one side of his face. He looked at Haruki. No relief appeared. Only anger sharpened by exhaustion.

"You look terrible," Haruki said.

Ken entered and closed the door.

"You died."

"Briefly."

"You died."

"I heard you."

"I watched them restart your heart."

Haruki said nothing. Ken's hands curled at his sides.

"You stepped in front of three bullets."

"There were hostages behind me."

"There are always people behind you."

The words struck harder than Ken intended. Haruki looked down at the sheet.

"I need a radio."

Ken laughed once.

"No."

"Everyone has decided they can disobey me."

"You are wearing a catheter."

"That is not a command structure."

"It should be."

Another vibration travelled through the building. Closer. Ken's gaze moved towards the ceiling. Haruki saw the calculation.

"How long?" he asked.

Ken did not answer.

"How long until they breach the perimeter?"

"Outer perimeter is already compromised."

Akiko turned.

"You said the west access held."

"It did."

"Did?"

"Delivery tunnel. Two teams. They had old construction plans."