“Actually,” Daniel started, leaning forward slightly. His usual confident posture wavered as Juniper’s shoulders tensed at the sound of his voice. “I’ve been reviewing some constitutional precedents that might affect our voir dire approach. In United States v. Marshall-”

“We don’t have time for theoretical discussions,” Juniper interrupted, her words precise as scalpels. She spread witness lists across the table like battle plans, each motion deliberately controlled. “The questionnaires show clear patterns we need to address. If we look at responses to question seventeen…”

Sophia’s pen paused mid-note as she caught the slight tremor in Juniper’s hand - barely noticeable unless you were watching for it. In their short time working together, she’d learned to read these tiny fractures in her friend’s carefully maintained composure, each one a signal of the pressure building beneath the surface.