Page 348 of Mercy Written in Blood

Renji heard her.

"No."

Haruki closed his eyes.

"You both realise I am still head of this Family."

"You are a patient," Renji said.

"I can be both."

"Not today."

"The security system cannot be controlled fully from here."

Ken said, "It can be routed."

"Do it."

Akiko looked at him.

"What does that mean?"

Ken smiled without humour.

"It means his room is now command."

Renji

The Casino's gaming floor had been designed to conceal the passage of time. No windows. No clocks. Light without day or night. Now the chandeliers remained dark. Emergency illumination burned along the carpet in low golden lines. Tables had been overturned to form cover. Roulette wheels and card trays lay abandoned where the staff had left them during evacuation.

At the centre of the room, beneath the largest chandelier, Riku sat beside his mother. He held her hand. He had not cried. Renji wished he had. Children who understood enough to remain silent had already been frightened too long.

Ryota stood near them with one side of his face swollen. The university student — Mina, Renji had learned — held a radio and watched the western entrance. Six Unveiled members had chosen to remain. Eight had left. Renji considered that a success.

Accord personnel held the northern side. Ishida guards occupied the east and central approaches. No one trusted the others. They trusted the attackers less.

Commander Mori stood near a baccarat table reviewing the old building plans.

"You have created a kill zone," he said.

"No," Renji replied. "Haruki created a place without hidden angles."

"The distinction will matter little when they enter."

"It matters to him."

Mori looked towards the ceiling. Haruki's room lay two floors above.

"You should not have moved him."

"I did not."

"You allowed him to assume command."

"Yes."

"He died less than twelve hours ago."