Alex arrives at North Harbor Family Services carrying the copied alert findings. The therapist, child, and famous client remain concealed at the Dev Null Cafe, waiting for his return.
The reception area smells of paper, disinfectant, and overheated electronics. A locked records corridor opens, and Marjorie Vale, medium-built with warm brown skin,, a middle-aged woman with iron-gray hair, a navy cardigan, and a green house-shaped pin, steps out.
Behind the reception desk, a thin elderly man in a beige shirt watches without pretending to file anything. His access badge identifies him as administrator Daniel Cho, with deep-brown skin, close-cropped white hair, and square spectacles.
Marjorie Vale
You asked for me by name. That is unusual, especially with an alert circulating outside this office.
Marjorie stops several feet away. Daniel’s gaze drops briefly to the copied file, then returns to Alex’s face as the corridor door locks behind her.
Daniel Cho
Ms. Vale, perhaps we should move this conversation into the interview room. The audit system is not available to visitors.
Marjorie Vale
No. If he has the intake reference, he deserves to say what he found before anyone edits another record.
✓ Quest Accepted
Discuss Miss Vale’s grievous error privately
“"Shall we?" you ask politely.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
Alex Mishyma
Shall we?
Marjorie Vale
Yes. Daniel, bring the intake ledger and the access log. We will address this directly.
Marjorie turns toward the locked corridor and uses her badge. The door releases with a heavy click, opening onto a narrow hall lined with frosted office windows.
Daniel Cho
Very well. The interview room is private, and its camera is currently offline with the audit system.
They enter a compact room with a bolted table, three chairs, and a wall clock ticking above a blank noticeboard. Marjorie takes one side; Daniel sets a paper ledger down.
Marjorie Vale
Show me the intake reference and tell me what you found. I will answer what I can, and I will not alter the record.
Daniel Cho
The copied file concerns a protected placement. If its destination was changed after creation, the access history should identify who authorized that change.
“"First off.... you're gonna answer some questions first. Why were these documents altered to even start with? Second...Do you know how illegal that is, and the paper trail comes right back to you, Miss Vale. Care to explain?" Still clutching the file tightly, you frown slightly. Oh, you can't wait to hear this explanation...”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -2)
Alex Mishyma
First, why were these documents altered in the first place? Do you know how illegal that is? The paper trail comes right back to you, Miss Vale. Care to explain?
Alex keeps the file clenched between both hands, its edges whitening under his grip. The room’s wall clock marks each second while Marjorie studies the copied pages.
Marjorie Vale
Yes. I know exactly how illegal it is. I changed the destination because the listed placement was compromised, and the child would have been sent back to people searching for them.
Daniel Cho
That is not what the authorization record says. It shows a routine administrative correction, approved under your credentials.
Marjorie Vale
Because the safe placement had no formal slot, no clean paperwork, and no time for a committee. I redirected the file first, intending to correct it after the child was secure.
Daniel reaches for the ledger, and his chair scrapes sharply against the floor. A red audit notice appears on his tablet, flagging Marjorie’s credentials for review.
Marjorie Vale
The paper trail leads to me because I made the decision. But someone else altered the alert afterward, replacing my protected destination with the false one now circulating.
Avoid being detained or identified
Quest Complete
Discuss Miss Vale’s grievous error privately
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Great→Superb