“We have to make a decision,” Amber told him.
“We don’t have a choice,” said Julius. “Nobody’s giving up a million dollars a day.”
“Say that again after we lose a plane full of passengers,” said Sidney.
“Do you want my opinion?” Cole asked Amber.
“Yes.”
Roth let out an inarticulate exclamation.
Cole ignored him. “Ask yourself this. Before the inspectors identify the problem, would you risk putting Zachary on a Boonsome 300?”
Amber shook her head.
“We ground the planes,” said Max.
“Have you lost your minds?” asked Julius.
Amber squared her shoulders and gave Max a sharp nod of agreement.
Pride swelled up inside Cole’s chest.
“This is amateur hour,” Roth spat. “Believe me, you haven’t heard the last of it.”
“We’ll request an expedited investigation,” said Max. “But for now the decision is final.”
Amber focused in on Cole, moving closer to speak in an undertone. “I have to go to the office.”
“I know.” He realized their conversation about Samuel would have to wait.
“Can you stay with Zachary until Isabel gets here? She thought maybe noon.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll stay.”
Relief flooded her eyes. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Talk to you later?”
“I’ll call you.”
“Good luck.”
“Everyone’s safe. That’s a whole lot of luck already.”
The group moved toward the door, Amber grabbing her purse and throwing a coat over her slacks and sweater. When the last of them left and the door latched shut, Cole turned his attention to Zachary.
The baby was sucking on the sleeve of his stretchy one-piece suit.
“You like bagels?” Cole asked.
“Gak baw,” said Zachary, grabbing at Cole’s nose.
* * *
Amber’s day went from frightening to stressful to downright infuriating. At six o’clock, Destiny was sitting across from her at her compact office meeting table.
“That’s how Roth spent his day?” she asked Destiny.
Destiny pushed a sheaf of papers across the table. “I don’t know how they did it, but they got an emergency court date. The custody hearing starts at nine tomorrow morning.”
“I thought we’d have weeks to get ready.” Amber gave the paperwork a passing glance, but she trusted Destiny’s assessment.