Leo was already standing by the door, holding his backpack tightly.

He was nine years old, old enough to know something was wrong.

“Uncle Mark,” Leo said. “Are the bad men coming?”

I placed my hand on his shoulder.

“No,” I said. “I am here. Nothing is going to happen to you.”

The landline phone in the kitchen began to ring.

The sound was loud in the quiet apartment.

“Don’t answer it,” I told Hannah.

We gathered the children in the foyer.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

It was an email notification.

I glanced at the screen.

The sender line read: *Aviation Legal Division – Notice of Resolution.*

My heart gave a small thump.

I didn’t have time to read it now.

I shoved the phone back into my pocket.

“Luis,” I said into the intercom on the wall.

“Yes, Mr. Collins?” Luis replied immediately.

“Are the police downstairs?” I asked.

“Yes, two officers just arrived,” Luis said. “They are checking the perimeter.”

“We are coming down the service elevator,” I said. “Have my SUV ready in the basement garage.”