At the edge of Carnegie Square, Claire stays close beside Alex as a middle-aged woman approaches from the pedestrian walkway. She has a compact build, wind-tossed auburn hair, a charcoal coat, and a weathered envelope clutched tightly in one hand.
Mara Ellis
Alex Mishyma? I confirmed your name from the message on my phone. My name is Mara Ellis. I used to be Roland Mercer’s administrative assistant.
Mara stops several feet away and keeps both hands visible. She glances once at Claire, then offers the envelope forward without stepping closer. Its dated seal is intact, the paper softened from careful storage.
Mara Ellis
I kept this after Mercer’s office closed. He told me it was to be delivered only if Dana Whitaker withdrew the pressure campaign. I saw the confirmation today, so I came here instead of mailing it.
Claire
You did the right thing by waiting, but we need to understand what this is before anyone accepts it. Alex, the seal and the date are both visible.
Traffic murmurs beyond the square, and evening pedestrians pass without slowing. Mara holds position, the envelope suspended between them, while Claire watches her face and leaves the decision to Alex.
“Carefully accepting the offered envelope, you narrow your eyes curiously. "Since you seem to know who I am, you must know the contents of the envelope as well. I'd rather preserve it as is for my lawyer. So, if you know something, a heads-up would be nice." Mercer's name doesn't exactly earn your trust.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Alex accepts the envelope carefully without disturbing its seal, turning it only enough to inspect the dated edge. Claire remains beside him, watching Mara while the square moves around them.
Alex Mishyma
Since you seem to know who I am, you must know what is inside. I’d rather preserve it for my lawyer, so give me a heads-up. Mercer’s name does not exactly earn my trust.
Mara Ellis
That is fair. I did not open it, but I handled Mercer’s files for years and recognize the format. It should contain his signed instructions concerning Suite 4B and the shell company’s access.
Mara Ellis
There may also be a payment authorization and a list of people he expected to pressure through Tommy’s pub. I cannot swear to every page, but I saw those headings before the office closed.
Mara lowers her hand once Alex has the envelope secured, making no attempt to reclaim it. Her account gives the sealed document a clear evidentiary purpose without requiring anyone to open it here.
Claire
That is enough for a lawyer’s first review. We keep the seal intact, record Mara’s account, and let Nina decide how the document enters the file.
Claire’s hand settles lightly against Alex’s arm. Mara nods, visibly relieved that the envelope has reached its intended recipient, while the intact seal remains between Alex’s fingers.
+ New Item Acquired
Mercer’s sealed envelope
“"Well, thank you for delivering this," you say simply, slipping the envelope inside your coat pocket. "If I need to reach out to you, I can look you up. But do answer this... why is Mercer grateful after what I've done?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Alex Mishyma
Well, thank you for delivering this. If I need to reach out, I can look you up. But answer this: why is Mercer grateful after what I’ve done?
Alex slips the sealed envelope inside his coat pocket without bending it. Claire stays close at his side, while Mara considers the question beneath the square’s passing traffic.
Mara Ellis
Because you did what Mercer could not. You forced the pressure campaign into the open, kept Tommy’s pub out of it, and made Dana withdraw the demand without anyone getting hurt.
Mara Ellis
He was grateful for leverage, not kindness. Mercer believed the shell company would survive if someone capable exposed its pressure tactics without destroying the records. You gave him that result, even while working against him.
Mara’s expression tightens with discomfort, but she does not retreat from the answer. Claire’s fingers briefly close around Alex’s arm, acknowledging the distinction between gratitude and trust.
Mara Ellis
He also knew you would preserve the evidence instead of turning it into a private weapon. That made you dangerous to him, but useful to the truth he had spent years avoiding.
The explanation settles into the evening air. Mara gives Alex a small, professional nod, and Claire remains beside him as the sealed document rests safely inside his coat.
“As you consider her answer, you nod gently. "Totally not what I was expecting, but it'll do. Be safe, Miss Ellis." Without another word, you escort Claire from the square, hailing a cab to head back to Dev Null Cafe. As you both settle into the private space of the back seat, you frown gently. "Everyone seems to have a hidden agenda in this whole mess, no matter what I do. It's getting convoluted, to say the least."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +2)