A small aluminum boat noses in from the eastern inlet, its engine cut before it reaches the dock. A composed middle-aged woman steps out, wearing a dark green raincoat, gray trousers, and a red scarf knotted at her throat. Her cropped black hair is silver at the temples, and a narrow scar crosses one eyebrow.
Mara Venn
Mara Venn. I represent a historical survey team. I need to speak with the teenager about what he saw underwater.
The man in the yellow slicker stiffens and points toward the aluminum boat without lowering the evidence bag. The teenager shifts on the bench, keeping both hands around his fishing pole.
The Man in the Yellow Slicker
That is the boat from last night. Same hull, same blue stripe. I saw it moving through the eastern inlet after midnight.
Mara accepts the accusation without looking at him. Her attention moves across the dock, pauses on the sealed bag, then settles on the rusted shard in Caelan’s hand.
Elias
You have not looked at the survey map once. You are watching the fragments.
Mara Venn
Fragments can be misidentified. Witnesses can be mistaken. I would prefer to hear the boy’s account before anyone draws conclusions.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether Mara is connected to the nighttime search