Page 416 of Black Reign

I continue tracing.

The credential isn't tied to a human-readable name.

It doesn't need one.

But systems leave fingerprints.

Signing patterns.

Maintenance windows.

Specific internal authorities.

I correlate.

Another screen.

Then another.

My fingertips fly.

“Give me historical security rosters.”

Xavier opens them.

“Physical operations.”

Granted.

“Executive protection.”

Granted.

“European security administration.”

Senior says quietly, “Sabine.”

“Not now.”

My heart is pounding.

Not fear.

Recognition.

I know this feeling.

The moment the pattern stops looking like noise and becomes a sentence.

There.

One administrative window aligns with the credential renewal.

Again.

And again.

Same person authorized each cycle.