Nara’s assignment occupied six lines.
Mira had expected a report, perhaps a copied statement. Instead the clerk opened the thick folder at a roster, where Nara Senn’s name appeared between two others beneath an operation heading. The date was earlier than the death Mira remembered from her first life. Earlier by enough that she checked the year twice.
“You recognize the operation?” Rook asked.
“I recognize her name.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
“It is what I can tell you from this page.”
The answer protected less than she wished. He had seen her check the date. He had chosen a name she could not receive neutrally. She was not going to undo that by speaking more quickly.
She asked the clerk whether the roster was original, a copy or a later compilation. It was an office copy. The receiving mark appeared in different ink from the assignment entries. No certification accompanied it in the displayed folder.
