The sponsor’s representative called Tessa while she was checking a transport estimate.
He asked whether she had a private place to speak. She moved from the coastal coordination room to the small office offered for clinical calls, closed the door and told the desk where she could be reached if an actual emergency required her. The estimate remained open on the table outside. It covered the next observation journey, two staff intervals and equipment return. None had been booked yet.
“I thought it better to tell you informally,” the representative said.
Tessa took out a fresh sheet.
He had heard concerns about the team’s growing dispute with Aegis. The hospital depended on donors who might not distinguish clinical research from an accusation against a major guild. Continued involvement could jeopardize support, not because the sponsor wished to interfere, but because public confidence had practical consequences.
“What decision has been made?” she asked.
“No decision. This is advice.”
“About which funding?”
