Stellan crushed out his cigarette sharply.
The message from Celia struck him like a heavy hammer to the chest, making it hard to breathe.
At the other end of the line, his secretary waited for instructions.
"Mr. Blackwood? Should I notify the authorities?"
"No." His voice came out rough and hoarse. "Pull the passenger lists for all flights leaving the city over the past few days."
Stellan rushed out of the stairwell, only to be stopped at the corner by a nurse hurrying toward him.
"Mr. Blackwood! You need to come quickly. Miss Sutherland is suddenly in severe pain."
His steps halted.
His phone screen still glowed with Celia's message, while from the far end of the hall, Annika's loud, exaggerated cries pierced through the corridor and rang in his ears.
"Stand aside."
The nurse, s
