Elena found the engagement announcement at 9:14 the next morning. I was eating cereal in Roman's kitchen when she sent it. Six months old. One photograph. One paragraph.

Bianca Vale stood under white flowers in a pale gold dress, smiling at Cole Mercer while he held a

Roman was waiting in the front hall when the security SUV brought me back. He did not ask how the press briefing went. He looked at Marco. "What happened to the car?"

"No device found. No explosive. No tracker."

"Then why was it open?"

"We're still checking."

Roman'

Elena's meeting happened at ten the next morning. Roman did not cancel it. He also did not sit in. Progress. She brought updated Harborview records and one piece of good news. "Your suspension is temporary pending review," she said. "Not termination."

"That cou