When they arrived the next morning the usual signs were almost gone. No one lingered near the corner. No car moved slowly past more than once. Even the distant figures that had become familiar were nowhere to be seen. Elara checked the whole view from the doorway while unlocking it. For a second it felt like the extra weight had lifted completely. But she remembered right away what they had learned many times before. Less attention did not mean no attention.
Cole stepped in behind her at his usual safe distance. He turned on the lights and spoke in a normal voice just like he would on any busy day. “They pulled back further after yesterday. That is exactly what we hoped for but not a reason to change anything. If they are watching from much farther away or in much smaller groups they will
