Page 79 of Mercy Written in Blood

"You volunteering?"

"No."

The answer arrived too fast. Ken smiled. It was the same expression Akiko had worn. Renji found it irritating.

"What?" he asked.

"He mentioned you in the ambulance."

Renji said nothing.

"Kept trying to say your name."

"He had read it in the journal."

"So there was a journal?"

Renji realised the error immediately. Ken's expression sharpened.

"What journal?"

Renji stepped back from the conversation.

"Mr Ishida referred to one while disoriented."

"He wasn't disoriented."

"He had lost a significant amount of blood."

"Still knew who Reina was."

"Memory can be inconsistent during shock."

"Still asked about Takeda, Minamoto and Jun."

"That does not make every statement reliable."

Ken watched him.

"Whatever he said down there, don't repeat it."

Renji's face remained neutral.

"Is that a threat?"

"No."

Ken rubbed both hands over his face.

"Sorry. That came out wrong."

"How was it intended?"

"As a request."

"Requests usually include information."

"I don't have enough."