I put a hand on Carl’s arm, feeling the damp fabric of his shirt.

“They didn’t win, Carl,” I said. “You saved the boiler.”

“And Derek saved the truth,” Mr. Alvarez added.

Derek looked at his phone again, which was vibrating in his hand.

A new message from Jake appeared on the lock screen.

*Where are you? The street is blocked.*

Derek didn’t reply.

He handed the phone to Officer Miller.

“You should keep this,” Derek said. “As evidence.”

Miller took the phone and placed it in a clear plastic bag he pulled from his pocket.

“We will need you to come down to the precinct to make a formal statement,” Miller said.

“I’ll go,” Derek said. “I’ll tell them everything.”

The sound of shouting came from the courtyard outside.

We all turned to look through the glass door.

A second police car had pulled up, its headlights cutting through the dark rain.

Two officers were walking toward the courtyard, escorting a woman in a wet faux-fur coat.

Her hair was plastered to her face, and her hands were secured behind her back.