—Amira—

Just as I was about to take the call, it ended. I slid the phone into my handbag and joined Nathaniel in the helicopter.

Nathaniel helped me adjust the headset over my ears. Then he wore his, the microphone brushing near his mouth.

He signaled the pilot who keyed the engines and lifted us gently from the helipad.

Seconds later, we were slicing across the morning sky.

The city unfolded beneath us like a flower. Rays of sunlight shimmered on ‘La Seine’, the water's waves catching ...