As Samantha Twist drove to Moon Lake Hospital, she asked her passenger, "So, Harry and Jenny are engaged and plan to marry on Halloween. An unusual date, huh?"
"Miss Jenkins expressed the desire to be married as soon as possible, and in light of recent events, the couple believe the date to be unique to them," replied Tachibana no Akane. "Despite everything that has happened to them over the last day or so, their life/bond mate is strong, so I can understand wanting to formally complete their union quickly," she said, as her cellphone began to ring. "Excuse me," she said to Samantha, before answering it.
"Can you talk?" a voice asked in Japanese.
"Speak," replied Akane in Japanese.
"As you have requested, one of our scientists, dressed as part of the hospital's cleaning staff, examined their safe room," began the caller. "Based upon the evidence of some shedded fur, the man is a gray fox."
"Different, but not unusual, especially along our coast line," commented the Skulk leader. "Continue."
"Despite its presentation on television programs, it will require a day or so to complete the genetic tests of samples left by both parties for further analysis. Is there anything specific you wish to know?"
"Do the standard exams first. If anything... interesting develops, then further analysis will be required. Did our agent maintain his cover and properly clean the room too?"
"Yes," replied the voice.
"Very good. Keep me informed," Akane said in Japanese. Then she said to Samantha in English, "My apologies. Family business."
"All part of being a group leader," replied Mrs. Twist, not knowing what the conversation was about, as her own cellphone rang. But instead of answering it directly, she pushed a button on her dashboard and said, "I'm driving, so you're on speaker phone. What's up Frances?"
"I'm at the hospital," replied her wife.
"Already? That was quick," commented Samantha.
"Actually, I was already pulling in to the parking lot when you called, because one of the doctors here called me and asked if I could consult on another case. Anyway, Yvette Smith has a concussion, but she's expected to regain consciousness within the next hour or so. They do have her handcuffed to a bed with a guard outside her room, so she's not going anywhere, although they want to keep her overnight for observation and start running some tests they say the court ordered."
"Very good," replied Akane, before Samantha could speak. "And Miss Harper?"
Unfazed that Mrs. Tachibana was in the car with her wife, Frances said, "I'm afraid her news isn't as good. Whether it's the fact that she has gone so long being incomplete already or the trauma of seeing the rogue injured that acted as a catalyst to advance the situation, Jenny's vital signs are starting to fade."
"Fade?" asked Samantha, with grave concern in her voice.
"Like she's loosing the will to live. As if she's starting to die prematurely. The doctors have her on monitors and an IV now, but the prognosis isn't good if this continues past sundown tonight."
"Damn," Samantha heard Akane say, before she replied, "Do what you can on your end. We're still about ten minutes away from the hospital at this point."
"Tell the hospital staff to prepare their safe room again. As soon as the rogue regains consciousness, I want her and Miss Harper secluded to conclude their business," said Akane.
"And if the authority of the Skulk leader isn't enough to motivate those people, tell them you're also representing the Town Chancellor and the Mayor's Office," added Samantha. "We need Jennifer Harper completed as soon as possible."
And the fact no one knew if there would be long term ramifications from being an incomplete were for so long was something no one wanted to think about right now, as the Twists hung up with each other.