Page 216 of Reaper Said Mine

My throat tightens, but this time I let myself feel it.

Only for a moment.

Then the office door opens.

A courier steps inside with a sealed legal packet and two security officers behind him.

Every eye in the room turns.

The courier looks at me. “Ursa Ramone?”

Bellamy moves first. “Who’s asking?”

The courier raises the packet. “Formal notice from IHC-Now, Helios Combine legal affiliates, and associated claimants. Demand for immediate cessation, data surrender, and preservation of evidence pending civil and criminal proceedings.”

Milton’s face brightens with professional malice. “Oh, splendid. They made a coalition of cowards.”

I stand slowly.

The security officers shift as if expecting me to run.

I do not.

I take the packet.

Its weight is ridiculous for paper, performative and expensive. Dawson’s fingerprints are all over that choice. Legal theater for the woman who refused to hand over the drive.

I break the seal and skim the first page.

The words blur into familiar threats.

Misappropriation.

Defamation.

Foreign influence.

Reckless dissemination.

Material harm.

National security.

Bellamy reads over my shoulder. “They’re trying to freeze the packets.”

“They can try.”

The courier’s voice is stiff. “You are required to comply immediately.”

I look at him.

He looks young.

Too young to be comfortable delivering threats written by old men.

“Do you know what’s in these files?” I ask.

“That is not relevant.”