Felix read the corrected measurement packet looking for the thief.
There was no thief in the late return trace. There was a physical response arriving after his model had declared the useful interval complete.
He put the lens finding on a separate part of the desk and began his reply.
The local Gannet Reach repair had worked under its observed maintained conditions.
The broader transfer claim had exceeded those conditions.
Two sentences. Neither could do the other’s job.
Lyra read the opening, nodded, and left him to the actual correction.
The city had continued operating while Bellwater decided what to call it. Its local watches had not stopped to await a more flattering certificate.
