[L's previous mistake, the one where he got close enough for Cesar to seize, is hastily remedied; when he's free, he makes it a point to get out of arm's reach while still remaining close enough to read what Cesar types into his phone.]

Anthony Janvier. Albero's people sawed open an old woman's head. Removed her brains. The media latched onto the imagery of a zombie doing that to her, and I'm sure you can imagine how the frightened public responded. I tried to tell him to run; he wouldn't leave me to face them alone.

[L shakes his head restlessly. The ever-present rings under his eyes say that he hasn't slept since this happened.]

It should have been me. Someday it will be, and this cosmic joke will end, and I hope you can take as much comfort from that as I do. Until then... what's happening is evil, and I am asking you to help me fight it. I can't do it by myself.