Caldera was wearing a baggy T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms, and slippers. It was the first time I’d seen her dressed in something that you couldn’t do heavy manual labour in. “Hi, invalid,” I said, and held up a package. “I brought grapes.”

“Okay, you can stay.”

I handed her the bag and walked in. I’ve only been to Caldera’s flat a couple of times, but I quite like it. It’s messy and comfortable, filled with old bottles and coffee mugs, the kind of place where you feel as though you’re allowed to put your feet up. “Going for the casual look?”

“I’m on sick leave,” Caldera said in distaste. “Can you believe they wanted to keep me in the bloody hospital?”

“Yes. Yes, I can.”

“Oh, and by the way, if you want to get inside, you’re supposed to ring the bell and wait for me to buzz you into the building. Not knock on my door.”

“Sorry.” I dropped into one of the armchairs and grinned at her. “Every time I see a security setup that bad I just have to go through it. I’m doing you a favour, really.”

“You’re a pain in my arse is what you are.”

“You feeling better?”

“Course I’m better. Only reason I’m here is because Rain made it an order.”

I made a noncommittal sort of noise. I’d been watching Caldera since I came in and she didn’t seem to be in pain. Still, as she went to get a bowl and a drink from the kitchen, her movements were more sluggish than usual, and it wasn’t until she returned and dropped into the sofa that I saw her shoulders relax. Caldera’s tough, but whatever healing she’d received had obviously taken a lot out of her. I had the feeling Anne could have done a better job but decided not to say that out loud.

“So the indictment’s set for this afternoon,” Caldera said. “I want you at the War Rooms at noon, okay?”

“What time?”

“Could be any time. Might want to bring something to read.”

“Sounds great. Who’s the indictment for, Chamois?”

“White Rose.”

I blinked. “Seriously?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” I said. “Remember Torvald? We put in a request about him the beginning of last week and they still haven’t got back to us. Chamois tries to kill me on CCTV two days ago and there’s no movement on that either. This attack happens less than twelve hours ago, and there’s a Council indictment already.”

“Yeah,” Caldera said dryly. “Kind of a difference there.”

“Look, I haven’t pushed you on who these White Rose people are,” I said. “But if I’m going to an indictment in your place, you don’t think maybe you ought to fill me in?”

Caldera sighed. “Get me a beer from the shelf.”

I looked back at Caldera for a second, then got up, fetched the bottle that she was pointing to, and brought her a glass. Caldera twisted off the cap bare-handed, poured out half of the bottle, waited for the foam to subside, poured out the other half, and took a drink. I sat and waited.