Rain began before sunrise.
By six o'clock, the streets around the eastern district were already wet.
Arthur Delbury stood beneath the narrow shelter of a shopfront, reading the file Collins had given him.
The former clerk was named Thomas Bell.
Thirty-nine years old when he worked at the placement office.
Records clerk.
No criminal history.
No known connection to the Syndicate.
No unusual financial activity.
At least...
Nothing unusual that had been recorded.
Arthur turned the page.
Bell had resigned twelve days after the final renovation of W-17.
Three weeks later, he left London.
His new address was Manchester.
Six months after that...
Nothing.
Arthur folded the file.
"Where is he now?"
Collins stood beside him.
"We don't know."
"Then find out."
"We've already checked the address."
"I know."
"The house was sold."
"To whom?"
"A family."
"Before Bell left?"
"No. Two years later."
Arthur looked at him.
"Then Bell didn't simply disappear."
