Waddell put the first witness statement on the cafeteria freezer because the freezer was the only flat surface left that had survived bullets, prayers, blood, and falling ceiling tile.
The paper stuck to old condensation.
He stared at it, then at the cracked ceiling, then at Jade sitting on an overturned milk crate with her injured hand wrapped in a dish towel and one eye hidden behind gauze.
"This is stupid in a way that will look official later."
Jade had argued against the gauze until the room tilted. Kieran caught her elbow before she fell into a mop bucket, which settled the medical debate with no vote and several offended looks.
"Be specific before the room charges admission for it."
"We are building legal evidence on a freezer in a basement under siege."
Rima leaned over his shoulder. "Many nations began with worse desks and less lighting."
Waddell looked at her. "Name one without inventing a war crime first."
"Examples create obligations I refuse to carry today."
