Page 71 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Possibly."

Haruki went still.

"But he is alive?"

"Yes."

"And the others?"

Renji hesitated. Haruki opened his eyes.

"How many?"

"Several were dead before reaching us."

"Names."

"I do not have a complete confirmed list."

"Then get it."

The command emerged suddenly. Not loud. Sharp enough to reveal the man beneath the patient. Renji did not react.

"When the police and hospital liaison have confirmed identities, someone will speak to you."

"I need to know now."

"You need to recover."

"I am responsible for them."

"You cannot help them from this bed."

Haruki's expression hardened.

"You don't understand."

"I understand that you underwent emergency surgery eight hours ago."

"Those people were there because I asked them to come."

Renji looked at him. There it was. Not authority. Guilt. Raw and immediate.

"You did not stab them," Renji said.

"I brought them underground."

"You also brought some of them out."

"Not enough."

"It never feels like enough."

Haruki stared at him. Renji had said more than he intended. He adjusted the intravenous line.

"You should rest."

"That your answer to everything?"