Chapter 3: The Shadow in the Frame
Maya was sobbing, her world collapsing. She knew she had been framed, but how could she prove a negative? She braced herself for the shame of being dragged out in handcuffs.
"Wait," Julian said.
He hadn't pulled out his radio to call the police. He was holding his smartphone. "Before we involve the authorities, I think everyone should see the latest update from the hallway security feed."
Mrs. Sterling’s smile faltered, just for a millisecond. "What are you talking about? Security feeds are private property."
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"Not when a crime is involved," Julian replied calmly. He tapped the screen and mirrored the video to the massive wall-mounted smart display that usually showed digital art.
The video played. It was grainy but clear. It showed the library earlier that morning. Maya was sitting at the desk, head buried in her books. Then, the door opened. Mrs. Sterling walked in, looking around to ensure the coast was clear. She approached Maya’s open backpack, slipped the watch inside, and zipped it shut with a cold, calculated precision. She even paused to pat the bag before leaving, looking directly into the camera with a satisfied smirk.
