Chapter 79
The Captain with Owen's Face
The captain called himself Bell.
Not Owen. Not Everett. Bell.
“The archive does not need a person,” he said. “It needs continuity.”
Claire stood at the bridge window. Bellwether disappeared behind them.
“Where are you taking us?”
“To the first witness.”
“Lena?”
The captain smiled.
“Lena is the name she used on shore.”
Ada moved toward the controls. “Do not let him dock.”
The captain locked the bridge door.
Mara looked at Claire. “Room Four is where the witness chooses whether to return.”
“Return to what?”
“A body. A name. A life that can be contradicted.”
The captain pressed a button.
The boat's windows filled with a live image of Claire's house.
In the spare room, Lena stood wearing no coat.
She looked directly at the camera.
“Claire,” Lena said, “you should not have come aboard.”
The Mercy's lights went out.