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“How is Mrs. Takeda?”I ask as soon as I enter the penthouse.
“I believe well, Aiko went in with her tea several hours ago. She said she was going to sit with her until you return.” Hiru bows deeply. “Please accept my deepest regret for what transpired tonight.”
“Arigato,” I say, bowing slightly in return feeling nothing but the need to see my wife, though I appreciate the sentiment. Taylor’s name played through my mind nonstop as I drove home. I even brought the gift from Tatsumoto in hopes to see her smile. Something tells me all she wants is for me to hold her. I will do so gladly if it brings her any solace.
I know by morning I will have the name of the culprit.
The matter is all but settled in my mind when I stop dead in the bedroom. Two smells assault my nose, human waste and the distinct smell of cyanide.
“Taylor,” I yell, picking up my wife’s crumbled form that is half lying off the bed.
“Hiru,” I yell. In seconds the man is there. “She’s been poisoned. Get the guards.” He’s gone before I can even finish the words.
“Taylor,” I urge checking for a pulse, my heart plummets when I don’t feel one.
Pressing my head to her chest I listen. There. Barely and with way too many empty beats between them.
“Listen, you have to fight. I’m here now, Tay-chan. You have to fight.”
My phone buzzes.
“I’m on my way. I’ve sent all our best people,” Akchiro says over the line. I’d already updated him on the status with the Tatsumoto Syndicate on the way here.
He hangs up without me responding.
Seconds later people are swarming in. The apothecarist comes in hurrying over to us. Swiftly she checks Taylor’s eyelids, tongue, nail beds. “Help me strip her,” the woman commands. Without hesitation I get to work removing Taylor’s clothes. I don’t have to look up to know the guards posted have turned their backs.
After a swift assessment the woman pulls put a syringe so long it makes my blood curdle.
“It’s a tiny needle,” she assures me. “Open her mouth.” As soon as I do she sticks the needle under Taylor’s tongue. Grabbing another she distributes the antidote at various places on her body. When the last shot is administered Taylor shoots up in the bed into a sitting position and screams, “Hisashi,” before collapsing in a heap against the pillows.
The apothecarist sits back shaking her head. “This was made to torture. Whoever did this hates your wife very much. Hire a food taster,” she advises.
“Who do you know that can make this type of poison and what is it?’ I demand.
“No one living. That’s why it took me many precious seconds we didn’t have to look for punctures. This is an old imperial poison not seen in centuries. It combines breathing restriction with systematic organ failure. You are very lucky it is slow acting making one feel malaise. Your servant there must have been came prepared to end her own life.” Raising her hand in the direction of Aiko, whose mouth is filled with so much foam it has spilled from the sides. The scent of almond and urine waft from her.
“What happens now?” I ask my gaze tracking back to Taylor, who looks too fragile in the bed.
“It’s hard to say.” Slowly she drapes the covers around her. “Her body must first continue to fight the poison so expect a fever. I will leave you remedies. Do not give her any other medicine. I don’t know how this poison will react to them. The process can’t be rushed. Once she awakes then we will be able to ascertain the level to which any damage has been done cognitively. If she’s been spared in that area the rest of her body should be fine.”
“Arigato.” I give the healer my most respectful bow.
Scooping up Taylor I stride out of the room. “Please have the room cleaned and sanitized,” I say to Hiru who bows in response.
Laying her down I watch the rapid eye movement. Willing her to wake, terrified she won’t.
Kneeling beside the bed I tell her, “Come back to me, little dove. If you want me to beg, I will gladly beg you not to die. Leaving me to this wretched existence alone. I will gladly give face to you. I will take yours and you may have mine.”
There isa soft knock on the guest room door. “Enter,” I say, not looking away from my sleeping wife.
“Sensei, I found this clutched in Aiko’s hand.” Giving me the note he bows and leaves the room.
Carefully I peel open the sealed and somewhat crumpled envelope.
“You disappoint me, yet you always have. I will however not stand for your dishonor.”?
I put the note with my mother’s kanji in my pocket and return to watching over my wife.
