Page 155 of Mercy Written in Blood

Daisuke looked towards the mezzanine.

"Movement above."

Reina lowered her weapon.

"I saw someone."

"Description?"

"Dark clothing. Masked."

"Which direction?"

She pointed towards a narrow service door at the rear. It stood open. Morning light entered through it.

Kael appeared from the main entrance. His coat remained unfastened, rain marking one shoulder. He saw Haruki. Then the photograph in his hand. His expression hardened.

"I told you not to come."

Haruki held up the image.

"You knew this was here."

"No."

"You knew the location."

"Yes."

"How?"

Kael looked towards his officers.

"Secure the perimeter."

"They're gone," Haruki said.

"You cannot know that."

"They cleared an entire operations site before we arrived."

Kael crossed the distance between them.

"Give me the photograph."

Haruki did not. Kael's eyes moved to the printed message. Something passed through his face. Recognition. Not of the image. Of the method.

"You've seen this before," Haruki said.

"Give it to me."

"Who leaves messages like this?"

"This is Accord evidence."

"It was addressed to me."

"That does not make it yours."