That was enough.
“All right.”
We were escorted down a service corridor and through a side exit used for private ground transportation.
Outside, three black SUVs waited.
I felt ridiculous climbing into one with a stroller.
Then, through the glass doors of the terminal, I saw David.
He saw me too.
His whole face changed.
He started moving toward us.
One of the investigators followed.
Airport security stopped them before they reached the restricted door.
David pointed at me.
Even through thick glass, I knew exactly what he was shouting.
Blaire.
Fiona turned.
“Is that Daddy?”
My stomach tightened.
“Yes.”
“Why isn’t he coming?”
I forced myself to breathe.
“Because we’re going somewhere quiet first.”
She accepted that more easily than I did.
Inside the SUV, Luca sat across from us.
He did not touch me.
He did not tell me everything would be fine.
He handed me his phone.
A woman was waiting on the call.
“My name is Rachel Warren,” she said. “I’m a family-law attorney in New York. Mr. Sterling asked me to help you find immediate counsel in Illinois. Before we discuss anything else, are you and your daughter physically safe?”
“Yes.”
“Has your husband ever told you that you could not leave Illinois with your daughter?”
“No.”
“Is there an existing custody order?”
“No.”
“Did you notify him that the child was safe?”
“Yes. By text.”
“Do you still have it?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Save everything. Do not delete messages, photographs, banking notices, travel confirmations, or anything related to the lock change. We are going to connect you with Illinois counsel tonight.”
I looked at Luca.
He had turned toward the window, deliberately giving me privacy.
Rachel continued.
“A filing is not the same thing as a ruling. But an emergency request can move quickly, and because your daughter has been living in Illinois, we need someone there immediately.”
“Did I do something illegal?”
“I am not going to give you a careless answer before I see the filing. I can tell you that simply traveling with your child when there is no custody order is not automatically the crime your husband appears to be implying. We need facts. Facts will help us more than panic.”
Facts.
I could work with facts.
“I have a picture of my luggage outside the house.”
“Good.”
“I have his text about finances.”
“Save it.”
“Our front door camera might still be connected to my phone.”
Rachel paused.
“Check without changing or deleting anything.”
