He turned his head, and the star flashed against the wall.

Outside, three dark government vehicles were stopping along the curb.

For a second, I thought I had misread the day’s transport confirmation.

My departure was that evening.

I had checked it myself.

Then my phone vibrated with a message from the duty staff asking me to confirm a pickup time that was several hours earlier than the one I had agreed to.

I stopped on the step.