I leaned closer.
“My family would never have done this to me.”
No one spoke.
Evelyn appeared at my side, calm as winter.
“Cassidy,” she said, “we should go.”
I nodded.
Behind me, my mother whispered my name again.
I did not turn around.
Outside, Chicago sunlight hit the courthouse steps hard and bright.
Traffic moved along Dearborn like nothing historic had happened.
Buses sighed at curbs.
A man in a Cubs cap ate a hot dog near the corner.
The city did not care that my family had exploded.
That comforted me.
I stood under the massive stone columns and breathed for what felt like the first time in years.
Evelyn checked her phone.
“Federal agents are already at Northern Lake Capital,” she said. “They moved fast once Jamal incriminated himself on record.”
“Good.”
“He will try to trade information.”
“I know.”
She glanced at me. “You heard what he said.”
