And now, he was leaving the country without her, taking my daughter with him.

“Your Honor,” Nathan said, drawing the judge’s focus back to the emergency at hand. “The local police need a direct order from you to board that aircraft and secure the child.”

Judge Miller didn’t hesitate.

“I am issuing an immediate emergency custody order returning the child to her mother, Emily Carter,” the judge declared.

She began typing rapidly on her computer terminal.

“I am also issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of Grant Whitmore on charges of custodial interference and forgery,” she added.

She looked at her clerk, who was already printing the documents.

“Sign these and get them transmitted to the airport division immediately,” Judge Miller ordered.

“Yes, Your Honor,” the clerk said, rushing toward the printer.

I felt a tear slip down my cheek, hot and fast.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Don’t thank me yet, Ms. Carter,” Judge Miller said, her face grim. “We need to get to her before that plane moves.”

Nathan turned to me, his hand resting on the small of my back.