The public found Hamberton before the consent line opened.
Waddell saw the search spike first. He had the shelter network split across three screens. Food supply on the left, witness safety in the center, public leak tracking on the right. The right screen turned ugly while Anika was still washing bowls.
Hamberton searches climbed. Dead-file guesses followed. Cemetery links appeared beside family questions. One post asked who B.H. had stolen from.
The last one made Waddell set his cup down with more care than the cup deserved.
Jade saw the care.
"What changed on the right screen, Waddell, now?"
He turned the screen away from Mara's table and toward the wall.
"They are digging for Hamberton and guessing families."
Tessa came in from the kitchen with wet towel marks on her shirt.
"Already, while people are still eating in line?"
"Old names are easier to chase than living limits."
