Chapter 11
The December wind cut sharply across the courthouse square, carrying the scent of woodsmoke and wet asphalt from the surrounding hills. Elena pulled her heavy wool coat tighter around herself, her hand resting over her coat-covered stomach as she walked down the limestone steps alongside Detective Vance. A cluster of local reporters stood behind the yellow police tape, their camera shutters clicking rapidly, but the oppressive digital glare of Julian's livestream world was entirely absent. Julian and Margaret had been remanded without bail pending an arraignment on charges of human trafficking, extortion, and unlawful confinement. Elena paused at the bottom of the steps, looking out across the quiet downtown street where cars were parked lazily along the curb. A small red pickup truck went by, its tires hissing against the slush. She took a deep, clean breath of the freezing air, feeling the undeniable strength in her own legs as she walked toward the waiting car.
