Sarah gave a small nod, and the agents moved.

They were unhurried and practiced about it.

They took the briefcase gently from his hand.

They drew his arms behind his back, and I heard the mechanical ratchet of the cuffs, a small sound that seemed enormous in the quiet.

“Chloe, please!” His voice rose now, climbing toward panic, and around us the ordinary traffic of the terminal had stopped, travelers frozen mid-step, a few of them lifting their phones.

“Don’t do this.