“The parking valet is asking about the SUV,” Luis said. “They cannot leave it in the yellow zone much longer.”

Linda did not look at Luis.

She kept her gray eyes fixed on me.

“Tell them to wait,” Linda said to the doorman.

“I am speaking to Mr. Collins, ma’am,” Luis said, his voice hardening.

“It is fine, Luis,” I said, raising a hand.

I needed to think.

My mind was racing through the FAA regulations, the company manual, and the union guidelines.

An active investigation meant immediate grounding.

I had a flight to Chicago at seven o’clock the next morning.

If I was grounded, my line sequence for the month would be scrubbed.

The financial loss would be significant, but the damage to my reputation would be permanent.

In my profession, trust is everything.

Once the company suspects you of instability, the climb back is steep and hostile.

I looked at the children on the couch.

They looked exhausted, their faces streaked with the dust of a long drive.

They did not ask to be used as weapons.