Marco stands across from the desk. Morning light cuts behind him, flattening his outline into something functional. Less a man, more an extension of the system.
“Primary rotation,” he says. “Guards on shift. Consolidated through Luca.”
“Before Luca.”
A pause. “Direct report to Paolo. Then to Luca.”
“Paolo is no longer on that corridor.”
“No.”
“And yet his name appears twice in the last three days.”
Marco’s attention sharpens. “Timing discrepancy?”
“No,” I say. “The corridor is flagged after use. Not during. That’s not delay. That’s a choice.”
Marco considers that. “Yes,” he says finally. “You’re right. I’ll follow it up.”
“Teresa appears once.”
“In the report?”
I nod.
“But she’s present daily.”
“And yet, her proximity doesn’t produce consistent notation.”
Marco’s expression shifts, though not in surprise. Recognition.
“You believe Teresa is filtering.”
“I believe she’s choosing what becomes record.”
“Should that be corrected?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because she isn’t doing it alone,” I say. “And I want to know what she’s choosing to protect.”
Marco studies me for a moment longer. Then nods.
I turn the page. The pattern is clean—too clean. Evie Brennan repeating movements under altered conditions.
Corridor. Pause. Return.
Corridor. Pause. Delay. Return.
Corridor. Diversion. Interception.
Garden. Reflection. No approach.
Chapel. Access. Redirection.
Library. Request. Acceptance.
