By nightfall, Claire was no longer in shackles.
The charges were not yet dismissed, but the judge ordered her released from confinement pending review. The prosecution joined the defense in requesting a full forensic examination of the drive and the original drone archive.
Richard Vance was removed from any role connected to the case and placed under investigation for false testimony, evidence manipulation, and operational decisions surrounding Checkpoint Echo.
Claire walked out of the secure facility with Reynolds beside her.
Sarah Miller was waiting.
So were Hayes’s father and Jenkins’s widow.
No reporters had been allowed near them.
Sarah looked at Claire’s bare wrists.
“Are you free?”
“Not yet.”
“Was he lying?”
Claire’s throat tightened.
“Yes.”
Sarah closed her eyes.
“Did my husband know?”
“He knew someone was going to erase the record.”
“Did he…”
Her voice failed.
Claire stepped closer.
“Miller tried to get me the truth. Then he went back to Hayes and Jenkins.”
Sarah’s face crumpled.
“He went back?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t leave him?”
Claire shook her head.
“I tried not to.”
Sarah hit her.
Not hard.
A flat hand against Claire’s chest.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
