Page 346 of Mercy Written in Blood

Ken paused at the door.

"Say them to him yourself."

He placed a radio on the table beside the bed. Akiko glared. Ken ignored her. Haruki reached for it. Pain tore through his side before his fingers closed around the device. The room flashed white. Akiko pushed him back against the pillows.

"Enough."

Haruki waited for the pain to reduce to something he could think around. Then lifted the radio.

"Renji."

Static. Voices in the background. A gunshot far below. Then Renji answered.

"Haruki."

The single word changed the room. Not Doctor Takahara. Not the voice that had commanded the Casino while Haruki slept. Renji. Only Renji.

Haruki closed his eyes.

"I'm awake."

Silence. Too long.

"Are you in pain?"

"Yes."

"Akiko should increase—"

"She is here."

"Do not move."

"I wasn't planning to dance."

"Haruki."

"I need you to listen."

Another silence. This one different. Renji forcing himself back into structure.

"I am listening."

Haruki gave him the orders. Open the main floor. Seal the medical level. Draw every faction into visibility. For several seconds, Renji said nothing. Then: "No."

Ken leaned against the wall. Akiko looked almost satisfied. Haruki held the radio closer.

"Why?"

"It exposes you."

"They do not know I'm awake."

"They will."

"Let them."

"You are not bait."