Page 116 of Pocket Wife

Sen’s expression does not move for several seconds.

Then she says, “Continue.”

The final interior band brightens.

Access history preserved.

My pulse changes.

Kell reads from the field. “Registry contains intrusion record.”

Rethan’s head lifts.

Salo says, “Display.”

The registry obeys.

Unauthorized access attempt. Thirty-one years prior. External override detected. First water seal resisted. Registry not opened.

Authority override: Arven Kade.

Witness proximity: Malrec Vaul.

External beneficiary tag: Lystor Resource Trust.

Kaun’s voice enters, low and cold. “Lystor Resource Trust merged into Helix Extraction Consortium twenty-two years ago.”

The hall erupts.

Not in riot.

In recognition.

People turn toward one another with hands over mouths, with tears, with anger too precise to waste on shouting. The screen from Lark Hollow shakes as someone there strikes a table. Nara holds her son tighter. Samuel closes his eyes.

I look at Sen.

Sen has gone still.

For once, Helix’s lawyer does not speak first.

Salo does.

“Record confirms attempted unauthorized access by Director Arven Kade, proximity of Malrec Vaul, and beneficiary tag connected to a Helix predecessor. Registry integrity appears to have resisted breach.”

He turns toward Kaun’s seal.

“Director Kaun, criminal preservation inquiry is no longer preliminary.”

Kaun’s answer comes at once. “Agreed.”

Then the third tribunal officer, silent until now, leans into view. “Adjudicator, there is an incoming emergency filing from Helix executive channel.”

The display splits.

Vance Corvek appears.

Not in the polished office frame he usually uses.