Audrey opened the message before she could talk herself out of it.

For a moment, she only stared at the screen.

Then she read the status again.

Approved.

Her visa had been approved.

The room did not change. The guest-room lamp still cast the same warm light across the bed.

Gavin's secretary looked surprised when Audrey walked into the office shortly before noon.

She had not been there in years.

"Mrs. Whitmore?" the woman said quickly. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No. I only need a few minutes."

The secretary picked up the phone

Audrey reached the airport with more than two hours to spare.

Lydia spotted her near the check-in counters and waved.

"You made it."

Audrey nodded.

For one strange second, she could not say anything.

The suitcase beside her was not large enough to contain five y