I looked back toward the main road.

There were no sirens.

There were no blue lights.

The police were not here yet.

If they boarded that plane, the pilot could taxi onto the runway in less than three minutes.

Once they were in the air, Daniel’s lawyers would tie me up in international court for years.

I clutched the blue binder tighter.

I walked through the open pedestrian gate next to the security booth.

The security guard inside the booth was looking at his computer screen and did not see me.

My boots made no sound on the wet grass beside the tarmac.

I ran toward the shadow of the hangar.

The wind from the propeller kicked up a spray of fuel-scented mist.

Daniel was leading the boys up the metal steps of the plane.

He reached the top platform and turned to look back at the airfield entrance.

His eyes scanned the fence line.

I ducked behind a stack of yellow baggage carts.

My phone vibrated once in my coat pocket.

I pulled it out with a trembling hand, keeping my eyes on Daniel.