I went to Pell Alterations with the rent statement and found room 4B locked. Its account panel showed the current charge paid exactly from the building's maintenance account.
The caretaker opened the room under a welfare provision. Edda Pell was not inside. Her coat hung behind the door, the kettle was dry and a steel sewing machine stood under grey dust.
While we checked the drawers, the machine turned once without power. A receipt slid from its platen, recorded that morning's rent and debited the exact sum through the wall terminal.
The caretaker cancelled the transfer. The machine sent it again. He added a late-processing fee of three pence. A second receipt followed for the new total.
The payment named the building, not the workshop, as payer. Its Free Habitation application permitted civic structures to seek recognition in their own name. BUILDING was ticked. PERSON had been left blank.
I asked where Edda had gone. The cutting-table lights flashed twice, and the machine advanced enough paper to print AUTHORISED INTERPRETER REQUIRED. The caretaker said every ordinary interview had received the same answer.
He filed an interpreter request and handed me the collection slip. Tomorrow I must bring an authorised interpreter to room 4B and obtain the building's account of Edda Pell.
An official Sanctuary Serial