There’s a number on the card I gave Willa.

I won’t follow you.

But Elena, if we can talk somewhere private, I would appreciate it.”

Her gaze flickered toward my card in the child’s hand.

She nodded once.

Then she left with Willa, the stuffed rabbit bobbing against the girl’s shoulder.

I stayed beside the aircraft door long after the passengers had gone.

At the terminal, I called my conference organizer and canceled my appearance at the opening dinner.