ALEXANDER
Cole was already inside the office when I arrived.
He stood near the desk with a folder in his hands, posture straight, expression focused. If he’d been waiting long, he didn’t show it.
“You’re early,” I said, setting my jacket aside.
He shrugged lightly. “Didn’t want to forget anything.”
That alone told me he’d taken the council meeting seriously. I crossed the room and took the folder from him, flipping it open as I sat behind the desk. He’d written everything out neatly—dates, logistics, proposed invitations, security rotations, resource allocation. Typical Cole. Thorough to the point of obsession.
I scanned the pages in silence, nodding now and then as things fell into place. Nothing jumped out as unreasonable. Nothing reckless.
When I reached the end, I closed the fol
