Waddell reached the gate before his deputy and kept it locked between himself and the reporter.
The man outside had packed his folding stool under one arm. He looked younger up close, maybe thirty, with rain spots on his glasses and a press badge clipped upside down to his jacket. His phone remained raised toward the intercom.
"My name is Grant Halpern, and Public Rescue Archive assigned me an interview with Tessa Cole."
"The consent printed on your invitation was fabricated," Waddell said. "Lower the phone while we find out who lied to both of you."
Grant checked the invitation again. "The appointment says confirmed, and my editor has the same confirmation. I drove forty minutes because the archive marked this urgent."
"You drove to a shelter whose address should be protected. That part should bother you more than the gasoline."
Grant lowered the phone to his chest. The camera still faced the gate.
