Something in her chest loosened slightly at the shift to legal strategy. This, at least, felt familiar ground.

She watched Daniel turn to Sophia, who tilted her head thoughtfully… the movement making her earrings catch the light. “People tend to do things for ummm…” she paused dramatically, “…reasons. And the simplest reason is usually correct.”

Yup trust Sophia to make even legal strategy sound like gossip, Juniper thought, her mental tone warming despite herself.

“So what is it?” Daniel leaned forward.

“I don’t know,” Sophia shrugged, settling back in her chair. “Maybe he actually believes in what he’s doing?”

They both turned to Juniper, who was already shaking her head with wild-eyed certainty. “I know it’s drive by wire…” Her fingers drummed against the tablecloth. “It’s obvious they’re going to claim it’s obvious.” Her shoulders drew up toward her ears even as her expression dared them to follow her logic.