Page 316 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Not yet."

"You have what you asked for."

"We asked for Doctor Takahara."

Renji stepped forward. Haruki caught his arm.

"No."

The word was too sharp. The room heard what it contained. The man with the detonator laughed.

"There it is."

Haruki did not look at him.

"Renji."

"You cannot protect them if the aerosol releases."

"Neither can you if they take you."

"They need me alive."

"For now."

Renji looked at Haruki's hand around his arm. His fingers were cold from the rain.

"You said we would bring them out," Renji said.

"Together."

"That may not be possible."

"Do not."

Haruki's voice lowered until only Renji could hear.

"Do not use the Commander's argument now."

Renji looked at him. The accusation cut deeper than the urgency.Deciding who is acceptable to sacrifice.Haruki believed Renji was doing it. Perhaps he was.

Renji moved closer.

"If the canisters release, I will lose consciousness. You will have seconds before they fire."

"Then we prevent the release."

"How?"

Haruki's eyes remained on his.

"Trust me."

Renji almost laughed. Not because the request was absurd. Because trust had become the one thing the last day had made difficult.

The man at the gate lifted the detonator.

"Enough."