Thomas passed them and slowed down.

He gave María a nod, pleasant as a man greeting his neighbor across a fence.

“Officer,” he said.

“Chilly one out there.”

María didn’t say a word.

He looked at Claire for a second, then at the cup of water in her hand, and kept walking toward the double doors.

The bailiff opened one side for him.

“He nodded at me,” María said.