The municipal review office sat inside an older government building near the river district. Gray walls. Long windows. Security scanners near the entrance that beeped every few minutes as people passed through.
Elena arrived before eight.
She carried two folders under one arm and a tablet in the other hand.
The hearing notice sat open on her screen.
Historical drainage review. Corridor land transfer verification. Floodplain compliance confirmation.
Alexander stepped out of the elevator as she reached the main hall.
"You sleep at all?" she asked.
"A little."
"That bad?"
"Yes."
She studied his face for a second.
"You found something."
"Not enough yet."
Elena nodded once.
That answer had become normal lately.
Mateo was already inside the hearing room when they entered.
Stacks of old maps covered half the conference table. Survey photos sat clipped beside engineering reports.
Mateo adjusted his glasses when he saw them.
"You're early."
Alexander replied first.
