Joneb found Marta De Leon's name in an old directory.
She had retired several years earlier.
Her last known position was in the records section.
There was an address in the personnel file, but it was outdated.
He asked a senior employee whether anyone still kept in contact with her.
“Maybe the former administrative officer,” the employee replied. “They used to work together.”
Joneb wrote down the name.
He had no intention of immediately visiting Marta. He wanted to establish whether she was connected to Armand before involving her in something he barely understood.
During the afternoon, he searched the old records again.
This time, he found a document dated several years before Armand's disappearance.
It was a routing slip.
The subject was an internal review of a questionable transaction.
The person who prepared the document was Armand Velasco.
The person who received it was Marta De Leon.
Joneb studied the document.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
FOR SAFEKEEPING. DO NOT RETURN TO THE MAIN FILE.
The note was signed by Marta.
He took a photograph.
Then he placed the document back in its folder.
The metal seal remained in his pocket.
It had not warmed.
That meant the document might be authentic.
Or perhaps it had simply not revealed anything unusual.
Joneb was beginning to understand that the seal was not a substitute for ordinary verification.
It was only another tool.
That evening, he called the former administrative officer.
After exchanging greetings, he asked about Marta.
“Yes, I know her,” the former officer said.
“Do you still have her contact number?”
“Why are you looking for her?”
“I'm reviewing some old records.”
There was a pause.
“Joneb, what kind of records?”
“An old administrative review involving Armand Velasco.”
Silence followed.
Then the former officer spoke.
“Where did you get that name?”
“From the records.”
“I thought that matter was already closed.”
“Do you remember him?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to him?”
The former officer sighed.
“He was a good employee. Very particular about documents.”
“Was he involved in an investigation?”
“He discovered something. Something that should have been reported.”
“What was it?”
“I don't remember all the details.”
“Can I speak with Ms. De Leon?”
Another pause.
“I'll ask her permission.”
The call ended.
Joneb waited. Get faster updates on g.com.
An hour later, his phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
“Hello?”
“Is this Joneb?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Marta De Leon.”
Joneb sat upright.
“Good evening, ma'am.”
“I was told you're looking for me.”
“Yes, ma'am. I'm reviewing an old record involving Armand Velasco.”
Marta did not respond immediately.
Then she asked:
“Why?”
“I found a document indicating that you received a report from him.”
“Where did you find it?”
“In the archived files.”
“Do you still have the document?”
“No, ma'am. I only took a photograph.”
Marta sighed.
“Listen carefully. I don't know what you're trying to investigate, but I suggest you leave that matter alone.”
Joneb felt his stomach tighten.
“Ma'am, did something happen to Mr. Velasco?”
“I don't want to discuss him over the phone.”
“Can we meet?”
There was a long silence.
“Tomorrow,” she finally said. “At the old public library. Ten in the morning.”
“Thank you, ma'am.”
“And Joneb?”
“Yes?”
“Do not bring anyone with you.”
The call ended.
Joneb placed his phone on the table.
He looked at the metal seal.
It began to glow faintly.
The doorway appeared.
When he entered the archive, Elyra was waiting.
“You found her,” she said.
“Yes. Marta De Leon.”
Elyra nodded.
“She remembers.”
“Why is she afraid?”
“Because she knows what happened to Armand.”
“Can she help restore him?”
“She may possess something that the archive has lost.”
“What?”
“The original testimony.”
Joneb looked toward the shelves.
“Then we have to get it.”
“Not everything that has been preserved is safe to retrieve.”
“Why?”
Elyra approached him.
“Because some records contain more than information. They contain the memory of the person who created them.”
Joneb did not understand.
She continued. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“If Marta kept the original testimony, it may contain the last complete memory of Armand before he was erased.”
“Then what happens if we find it?”
“We may be able to restore his name.”
“And bring him back?”
Elyra looked away.
“Restoring a name is not the same as restoring a person.”
Joneb remained silent.
He was beginning to understand that the problem was far more complicated than he had imagined.
Before he could ask another question, Orven entered the chamber.
He looked unusually disturbed.
“Joneb, you must not meet Marta alone.”
“But she specifically asked me not to bring anyone.”
“Then she may already be in danger.”
“Why?”
Orven placed a document on the table.
It was a list of names.
Joneb recognized one of them.
Marta De Leon.
Beside her name was a new entry.
STATUS: MEMORY COMPROMISED.
Joneb looked at Orven.
“What does that mean?”
“It means someone has begun removing her memories.”
“Can we stop it?”
Orven shook his head.
“Not from here.”
Joneb felt a sudden urgency.
“Then I have to go tomorrow.”
Elyra approached him.
“If you meet her, ask about the document she kept.”
“What document?”
“The one Armand entrusted to her.”
Joneb nodded.
The archive began to fade.
Just before he returned to his bedroom, Orven called after him.
“One more warning.”
Joneb turned.
“Do not believe everything Marta tells you.”
“Why?”
Orven looked directly at him.
“Because someone may have already changed the memory she intends to share.”
Joneb woke with a start.
It was nearly midnight.
His phone vibrated.
A message appeared from Marta.
JONEB, PLEASE DON'T COME TOMORROW. I MADE A MISTAKE.
He read it twice.
Then another message arrived.
I DON'T REMEMBER ARMAND VELASCO.
Joneb stared at the screen.
The woman who was supposed to help him remember had already forgotten.
And somewhere in Educatia, a record was being rewritten.