Stop recording me. Madison smiled. We're in public. No, Nia said. You're recording what you're doing to me.
That wiped away Madison's smile for half a second. Trevor squeezed harder. Nia flinched. It was small, barely visible. But someone beneath the awning saw it.
An older staff member took half a step forward, then stopped. Trevor noticed. Everything's fine. He called toward the witnesses. We're talking.
Nobody contradicted him. That was when a voice came from behind the circle. No. It wasn't loud. Trevor turned. So did Madison's camera.
A black woman stood at the far end of the courtyard. For a heartbeat, Nia thought the rain had created a reflection of herself. Same face, same dark eyes, same height, but the woman walking toward them carried herself differently. Naomi Brooks was also 27. Nia's identical twin.
She wore faded navy EMT pants and an old black jacket darkened by rain. Her sneakers were worn at the edges. A battered medical bag hung from one shoulder and exhaustion sat plainly beneath her eyes. She looked like somebody who had worked too many hours and slept too few. Trevor looked her up and down.
His expression changed from surprise to amusement. You serious? Naomi kept walking. Nia's heart dropped. Naomi.
Her sister didn't look at her yet. She looked at Trevor's hand. Only Trevor's hand. Madison shifted position, delighted by the new development. Who is this?
My sister, Nia said. Ryan stared between them. Twins? Trevor laughed. That's perfect.
Naomi stopped several feet away. Rain rolled from the edge of her jacket. Your Trevor Hale. It wasn't a question. Trevor's smile widened.
So she talks about me. Naomi's eyes moved once across the group. Ryan. Derek. Ashley.
Madison and her phone. The doorway behind Derek. The wet pavement. The witnesses under the awning. Then back to Trevor.
The examination took perhaps two seconds. Something about it made Ashley take a step backward. Trevor didn't notice. You came all the way over here dressed like that to rescue her? Naomi finally looked at Nia.
Not at her soaked clothes. Not at the scattered papers. At her wrist. Then at her eyes. Nia knew that look.
It asked a question without forcing her to answer in front of everyone. Are you hurt? Nia gave the smallest shake of her head. Naomi looked back at Trevor. Let her go.
Trevor glanced at Madison's phone. Then at the witnesses. He had an audience now. That mattered. Or what?
Naomi said nothing. Ryan moved closer. Maybe you should leave. Naomi didn't look at him. Derek folded his arms.
Madison kept filming. Ashley whispered, Trevor, just let her go. Trevor shot her a look. What? I said maybe this is enough.