I stared at Claire through the steel bars, my heart pounding against my ribs.
"Tell me what Hugo said," I whispered.
Claire's professional mask slipped back into place. "I can't. The message is evidence now. The lead investigator needs to review it first."
"But you listened to it?"
"Briefly." She hesitated, then stepped closer to the cell. "I shouldn't be telling you this, but I'm going to do everything I can to expedite your release."
Her sudden shift caught me off guard. "Why? A minute ago, you seemed convinced I'm guilty."
"I'm not convinced of anything yet. That's the difference between me and Captain Harrison." Claire glanced down the hallway. "I follow evidence, not prejudice. And something about this case feels... orchestrated."
Hope flickered in my chest. "You believe me?"
