The courthouse steps were already filling when they arrived. Reporters with foam windscreens. Clerks with folders held like shields. A woman in blue scrubs on her lunch break who had come to see whether anyone would tell the truth out loud.
Rafael stopped at the base of the stairs and scanned. Corners, sightlines, a man in a suit who was watching hands instead of faces. Emilia felt the check settle around her like a quiet arm. He didn’t say he was worried. He didn’t need to. She touched her own wrist, a small reply only he could read.
“Ten on the dot,” Nora said in their ears. “The examiner’s deputy is near the rail. Judge Manera stayed inside. Renzo’s here. Orsi too. Serafini’s car just turned onto Lemaire.”
“Any surprises?” Emilia asked.
“One,” Nora said. “Elena’s on a roof across th
