As the deposition began to wind down, Daniel’s device motioned to him, He glanced at Juniper apologetically before answering. He stood up, his stature erecting with a fluid grace that belied the sudden tension in his shoulders. Juniper watched as his demeanor shifted, his brow furrowing as he listened intently to the unknown caller. “I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it,” he said, his voice low and serious, a echoing a nuanced departure to his earlier warmth.

What was that about? Juniper wondered, her foot tracing anxious circles on the floor as she strained to make out the voice on the other end of the line. It was muffled, indistinct, and she couldn’t quite determine if it belonged to a man or a woman. Is there something he’s not telling me? Some secret he’s keeping hidden behind those inscrutable eyes?