Fourteen days later the hearing arrived on a morning that felt too ordinary for what it carried.
The courthouse was pale stone and tall windows, the kind of building that absorbed sound and returned it softened.
Ethan and Gabriel walked the steps side by side, Elira Voss and her associate a few paces ahead, Claire and Marcus just behind with the sealed evidence cases.
Richard met them at the security checkpoint, silent, solid, falling into step without needing to be asked.
No one spoke much in the corridor outside the courtroom. Ethan stood with his hands in his pockets, eyes on the scuffed floor tiles.
Gabriel's shoulder rested lightly against his not enough for anyone else to notice, enough for Ethan to feel the steady fact of him.
Elira checked her watch once. "Judge Renner is precise. He will have read every page. Answer only what is asked. Do not volunteer."
Ethan nodded.
The bailiff opened the doors.
