ELENA POV
The fifteen-minute recess felt like fifteen seconds.
Before I knew it, guards were leading me back into the courtroom.
The gallery was still packed. Cameras still rolling. The whole world is watching.
I took my seat next to Martina, hands clenched in my lap to stop them from shaking.
"Remember," Martina whispered. "Stay calm. No matter what they say."
"All rise!"
Judge Henderson returned. We all stood, then sat.
"Ms. Thornton, call your first witness."
Thornton stood, smoothing her suit. "The People call Detective Williams."
The same detective from Damien's trial.
He was sworn in and took the stand.
Thornton approached. "Detective Williams, can you tell the jury about your involvement in this case?"
"Yes. I was the lead investigator when Sarah Rodriguez's body was discovered. I coordinated with international authorities and investigated her death."
"And what did you discover?"
