The door knocks again, harder. "Counsel, you need to wrap it up."
Aunt Kora calls back, "Five more minutes." She points. "Please sit."
Tears well again.
"Sit, Blue. Please."
I lower myself onto the chair.
Aunt Kora leans toward me, lowering her voice. "Listen carefully. I know you're upset and scared. I'm going to do everything I can to get you out of here. But that man in the wrinkled suit was fishing. He wanted you emotional. He wanted you to talk about Dr. Mercer. He wanted you to blame him or defend him."
My stomach twists. I press my lips together.
Aunt Kora's eyes sharpen. "Did you tell him anything about your relationship with Dr. Mercer?"
"No," I say quickly.
She nods. "Good. From this moment on, you say nothing to anyone. Not officers. Not staff. Not detainees. Not even Demi if she asks you something in the hallway."
Demi's eyes widen. "Seriously?"
Aunt Kora doesn't soften. "Seriously. You want me to help Blue or not?"
Demi sits back, crossing her arms. "Fine."
Aunt Kora returns to me. "I'll request the arrest report, the body camera footage, and hallway cameras. I'll push to get the charges dropped."
My breath catches. "Today?"
Aunt Kora nods. "As soon as possible. But I'm pretty sure I could have you out of here in the next fifteen minutes if you really want."
"How?"
"I would need to call Maksim."
"No!"
"Blue—"
"I don't want my parents to know! He'll tell them!"
"So you'd rather stay in jail?" she asks.
My insides shake harder.
She softly adds, "Your parents will eventually find out. You can't keep this from them forever."
A shorter knock comes, followed by the click of the lock. The door opens a few inches, and an officer peers in. His eyes slide over us, then stick on me. "Time's up."
Aunt Kora stands, posture tall. "My client is staying silent. If anyone tries to question her again, you notify me."
He hesitates, then nods like he's swallowing irritation.
Aunt Kora steps to the door and turns back, her gaze pinning me. "Blue."
I stand automatically. "Yeah?"
"Are you sure you don't want me to make the phone call?" Hope fills her expression.
