Chapter 143
The Morgue Record
The city morgue held death records for everyone Bell had declared unavailable.
Claire found Lena's name but no body number.
“She was never registered,” Daniel said.
“That is why the archive could keep her alive.”
The morgue clerk model lifted a file. “A body is proof.”
Claire looked at the empty drawer. “A body is not permission.”
The clerk opened the drawer.
Inside was Lena's coat button.
The room filled with lake water.
*** Add File: velvet-throne/content/the-woman-in-cabin-12/chapters/ch-144-the-body-number.md
title: "The Body Number" chapter: 144
The button carried a number: 0417.
It matched the room, the clock, and the first transfer.
Mara said, “It was never a time.”
“What was it?” Claire asked.
“A body number.”
The morgue produced a second record. Body 0417 had been received eighteen months ago and released without identification.
The release signature belonged to Lena.
Claire understood. Lena had signed her own body away to keep the program from owning it.
The morgue doors opened.
Room Eighteen waited beneath the funeral home.