Clara Mueller's Office Building - Tuesday Morning - 9:58 AM
The building's interior was understated.....polished stone floors, simple directional signs, the quiet dignity of professional legal practice. Emily's footsteps echoed softly as she approached the elevator, Ming Li and two Shadow Valley operators following at a discreet distance.
"Fourth floor, suite 412," Emily reminded herself, pressing the elevator button.
Timothy stayed in the building's ground-floor café as planned....close enough to respond if needed, far enough to not interfere with Emily's private meeting with Clara.
The elevator rose smoothly. Emily watched the numbers climb....second floor, third floor, fourth floor. The doors opened with a soft chime.
Suite 412 was halfway down a quiet hallway. A simple brass plaque read: Clara E. Mueller, Attorney at Law - International Human Rights Cases.
Emily paused outside the door, her hand hovering over the handle. This was it. The moment everything changed.
