The other stood near the security monitors, arms folded, watching Clare with something that looked like reassessment. “We wanted you here for this,” the officer said. Not unkindly. They gathered in the small office. The same chair. The same screens. This time, the door stayed open. Samuel cued the footage.
“This is when you leave for the restroom,” he said. The timestamp blinked to life. Clare watched herself stand. Adjust her bag. Smile at Daniel. Everything looked ordinary. Too ordinary. The footage rolled forward a few seconds. And then—something shifted.