Advocate Raman waited outside, smile thin. “I signed Jessa’s dismissal papers myself,” she said quietly. “Three years ago. She was unstable then. She is unstable now.” Nina met her eyes, “You signed the continuity policy memos too. Same year. Same month.” Raman’s smile froze as she said, “Careful what you imply.”
The reveal landed like ice water. The same lawyer who buried Jessa now managed Nina’s silence. Not a coincidence. Design. Nina left the hearing with a warning but no formal block. Eight days until the vote. Her editor called: “They cleared the episode with heavy disclaimers. We can air tomorrow.”