A Quiet Signal

I nudged a curved brass paperclip across the blotter, testing how firmly it rested against the dark leather. When your greeting reached me, I paused to consider the right response. Every secure post relies on steady communication, so I turned the clip carefully, aligning its tip toward your usual seat. A simple marker, but deliberate. It is good to acknowledge that I heard you, and even better to know we are keeping watch on this space together.