Paul leaned back, his chair groaning. "The jury didn't buy the expert. The judge didn't buy the motion. The clock bought us a full block, Ellie. No wasted space. No mercy."

She typed back: I can do $100. Pick it up tonight.

In the parking lot, the sun was a blunt, white disc. She got into her car and sat for a long time, gripping the steering wheel. Her phone buzzed. A text from her younger brother, Marcus, who was twenty now and struggling with a rent payment he couldn't make.