"Only about the time I asked you to come to America with me," he says. "You need to get those stitched up, and then you need to get onto a plane."

He swallows, and his voice is like ice when he speaks because he wills it so. He wills away the sentiment, he wills away the sudden pang of loss he feels as he thinks what he's about to say.

"Australia. Keep yourself under the radar. I'll make certain the woman who saw you doesn't let it out who she knew from this incident."