Page 130 of Pocket Wife

Torren’s voice comes through, stripped of all humor.

“Lucy, tell me you are seeing that wrong.”

I look past the sign to the gate wheel half-buried beneath vines, then to the fresh survey stakes running across the channel path.

Helix has not only built a place to call mercy.

It has bought the hand on the valve.

I lift the live slate so the tribunal can see.

“Reviewer Noll. Adjudicator Salo. The Helix shelter boundary has been placed across the east channel access. This channel predates the shelter claim and is part of active common water service.”

Sen’s voice cuts in at once. “Helix objects to unauthorized entry onto protected shelter property.”

I keep the slate steady. “Protected from whom? The people whose water passes through it?”

Corvek’s voice remains smooth. “That land is under humanitarian preparation. Interference may affect shelter readiness.”

Noll’s eyes narrow on the display. “Central Review’s current order requires alternative supply verification. If the east channel is separate from the north reserve and necessary for clinic continuity, access cannot be blocked by a shelter boundary pending review.”

Salo adds, “Proceed under live record. No damage to private equipment. No entry beyond what is necessary to operate the water gate.”

I consider the marker.

Then the old gate behind it.

“Understood.”

I step over the boundary line.

“Record why I crossed.”

CHAPTER 38

RETHAN

Iwatch Lucy cross onto Helix-marked land and learn a new form of restraint.

It is one thing to stand apart from her in a hearing chamber.

It is another to watch her step over a boundary sign while three witnesses follow, a live record light burning red in the schoolteacher’s hands, and know that every person who wants her discredited is waiting for her next breath to become evidence.

On the display, the east channel lies beneath late-day shadow. Moss clings to the stone banks. The old gate wheel rises from a collar of vines and silt, larger than Lucy’s shoulders, iron darkened by years of weather and use. Fresh Helix stakes mark the land around it in clean white lines.

Too clean.

I do not trust clean lines in old places.

“Miss Hartwell,” Reviewer Noll says, “confirm you are within the limited access area.”

Lucy lifts the slate so the display captures her boots, the sign, the gate, and the channel. “Confirmed. I am crossing only to reach the east water gate.”

Advocate Sen’s image sharpens. “Helix maintains objection. The shelter boundary is active preparation property.”

Lucy does not turn toward the feed. “Then Helix prepared it on top of our water.”

Corvek’s panel remains open, but he says nothing.