“That’s... a terrifying thought.” Teruo fumbled for another cigarette and took a long drag.
“It’s okay. Not all ghosts understand the scope of their powers. Now,” Shinji said, “try to be silent for a minute.” He tapped his phone’s screen and called the Onmyoryo.
The emergency line dispatcher answered and Shinji quickly gave his ID number. “I have a possible rogue,” Shinji said, offering the medical center’s address. “The building has a large number of non-supernaturals, but I think no other supernaturals besides our target.”
“Can the non-supernaturals be taken to safety?”
“Possibly. If not, I’ll try to isolate the rogue. I request permission to attack on sight if the individual engages and a backup team for arrest.”
“Permission granted, backup’s on its way.”
Shinji hesitated then added, “And have an extraction team on standby.”
“Understood,” the dispatcher said.
Shinji thanked him and hung up just as they were approaching the medical center. Teruo stopped in the parking lot and checked his gun, all the while eyeing the silent yard of the building.
“Supernaturals,” Teruo repeated. “The name makes sense. What’s the extraction team for?”
“Whether Taniguchi is our murderer or not, he’s a rogue supernatural who abducted ghosts and attacked a supernatural for no reason. He’ll be taken to a detention center once the investigation is done and his powers will be… extracted.”
Teruo’s eyes widened. “Does it hurt?” he asked, his voice low.
Shinji could only nod, not wanting to give more details. Extraction was something he avoided thinking about. He’d witnessed it once and it had been more than enough.
Teruo blew air through his nose then held Shinji’s hand tight. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
They exited the car and Teruo rushed to the guard beside the building’s main gate briefly explaining the situation and ordering him to keep an eye out for when the backup team arrived. The guard looked alarmed, but obeyed.
Shinji surveyed the building. A faint veil of white energy surrounded the first floor. It undulated like the ocean’s surface, glinting in the sunlight. Was Taniguchi trying to keep the ghosts inside? Was he having trouble controlling them? This raised Shinji’s hope of succeeding. Taniguchi would be in bad shape from using so much energy, perhaps enough to arrest him without delay.
Teruo beckoned him to follow and they walked toward the building. Shinji placed a hand on his gun, knowing full well it couldn’t help him against a supernatural. He left it in its holster. If he were to engage with Taniguchi, he needed both hands free.
The main doors slid open and Shinji stepped inside, Teruo by his side. Nothing seemed amiss. Two women in white coats passed by, heading to the elevator. Neither of them was Kojima.
Teruo stopped at the front desk. “Did you do what I told you?”
The clerk glared before replying, “Kojima and Taniguchi are fine. They’re in the middle of an autopsy and asked not to be interrupted.”
“Who told you this?”
“Taniguchi,” the clerk said.
“Did you speak to Kojima?” Shinji asked.
“No. Like I said—”
“For fuck’s sake,” Teruo grunted. “Listen carefully. We have reason to suspect there might a criminal among the forensic staff in this building.” The clerk paled, but didn’t answer. Teruo continued, “What’s your emergency protocol?”
“I can evacuate the personnel and then secure the building since all main exits have automatic locks accessible from my desk,” he said in one strained breath, his pitch getting higher with each word.
“Good. When everybody’s out, lock all doors besides the ones leading to our autopsy room and remain here. A backup team is on its way and will arrive at any moment. Open the door for them and send them to us. Got it?”
“Yes,” the clerk muttered.
Teruo pulled out his gun and turned to Shinji. “Let’s go.”