The trial begins long before the first session.
The Internet‑page with the news is already a jury room. News feed — a corridor near the hall. Messages on the phone — whispers on the sidelines.
We haven't been formally charged yet.
Unofficially, the world has already passed its verdict.
Annabelle kept her word.
No drains.
No "exclusive videos" in public.
The prosecutor's office received the materials quietly, through a closed channel.
But in confined spaces, secrets don't last long.
In the morning, there was an email in my inbox.
Without a signature.
Without logos.
Only one phrase in the subject line:
"Do you really think you can come out of this clean?"
I opened it.
Inside is a screenshot.
Grainy photo of a winter garden.
Not our video.
An old shot from the internal secur
