I thought about all the moments I had nearly taken the suitcase to the bathroom and opened it myself.

Had I moved the gun, touched the lining or confronted Lorraine alone, I might have complicated the evidence and put myself at risk.

“Walter,” I said suddenly, using my father’s name before catching myself.

“Sorry.

My dad always told me not to handle things I didn’t understand.”

Ortega smiled faintly.

“That was good advice.”

When formal charges were later announced in connection with the attempted framing, news outlets called me for comment.