Varas met us in the annex lobby with three warrants and not a single dramatic flourish. Points to him. I took the envelopes before Arthur could reach for them, and he let me. Paperwork is mine. It has been since I was old enough to sign my own name under my father's.
The annex smelled like fresh paper and old furniture, comforting and competent. I like rooms that know what they are.
"Clean entries," Varas said. "The court is watching."
"Good," I replied. "We do our best work with an audience."
Rachel grinned. Reika's eyes were already on the map board. Seraphina stood where she could see both doors without looking like a statue. Rose set a bottle of water on the nearest desk and labelled it "Arthur." Luna took Stella's hand and passed her a pencil sharpener shaped like a fox.
"Staging complete," Reika reported.
