And maybe… it was.
I pressed the mug against my chest and thought about that.
GIDEON
Myra found me in the corridor outside the security room at seven.
I had already reviewed the incident report from the parade. Already spoken to the two guards who had lost her in the crowd – brief, controlled, and would absolutely not be repeated. The restraint it had taken to keep my voice level throughout it was not something I intended to examine too closely.
“The café,” I said, before she reached me. “Before the parade. A man came in while Lena was away from the counter. Didn’t order. Left without speaking.”
Something moved in Myra’s expression. “There was someone. I clocked him going in and out from my position outside.” She paused. “Unremarkable. Didn’t flag as a threat.”
“He flagged for her
