Chapter 14
The massive stone facade of the federal district building loomed against the midday sky like an ancient monolith, its towering marble columns reflecting the harsh glare of the noon sun. Julian pulled the battered gray sedan into an unreserved public parking space three blocks away, cutting the engine as the radiator hissed softly from the strenuous climb over the mountain pass.
Elena looked out the window at the bustling pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk, pedestrians in tailored suits and heavy coats walking past without a second glance. The normality of the scene felt surreal after the claustrophobic terror of the morning.
“We walk from here,” Julian said, reaching into the pocket of his dark trousers to ensure the car keys and silver rings were still securely in place. He turned around in his seat to look at his wife. “Are you ready?”
Elena nodded slowly. She adjusted her beige sequin dress, smoothing the fabric with one hand while cradling six-month-old Leo securely with the other. The baby was sleeping peacefully once more, entirely insulated from the gravity of the moment by his mother’s steady warmth.
“Let’s finish this,” Elena said quietly.
They stepped out of the sedan onto the sunlit pavement, the cool autumn air biting slightly at their skin as they began the short walk toward the courthouse steps. Julian kept his arm protectively around Elena’s waist, guiding her through the crowd with a firm, unyielding stride.
As they approached the grand double doors of the federal building, two uniformed security officers stood sentinel beneath the portico, their eyes scanning the incoming crowd with practiced vigilance. Julian slowed his pace slightly, his heart hammering against his ribs, but he kept his head held high.
May you like
He reached into his pocket, pulled out the emergency injunction document David had transmitted via secure fax to the front desk terminal, and held it out as they passed through the metal detectors. The scanner beeped softly, but the lead officer, having checked the encoded barcode against the magistrate’s active docket, simply nodded and waved them through without a word of interrogation.
They stepped into the cavernous marble lobby, the echoes of their footsteps swallowed by the vast, vaulted ceiling.
