Bram gave Mira the answer before the route opening expired.
“I won’t exchange the key’s location for their departure.”
She stood beside the folded sketch, with one hand resting on the unprotected bridge. For a moment he thought she might ask which relative had persuaded him. He had prepared to stop that question. The refusal was his responsibility, even though his family had heard and supported it.
“You have an alternative?” she asked.
“One first pickup confirmed. A later one being finished.”
“Being finished isn’t a route.”
“No. I’ll tell them which parts are confirmed.”
Mira looked toward the public clock. He could see her counting not only the family deadline but everything she believed would become impossible after it. He did not ask her to pretend the refusal felt safe.
