She swept the cane ahead.
Found the curb.
The single father stepped slightly to one side.
The chairwoman stopped before leaving the shelter.
“Tomorrow.”
she said.
“What about it?”
“Do not call anyone at the company.”
He stared.
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because right now they do not know I met you.”
He looked toward the security officer.
“Your guy knows.”
“He knows how to keep quiet.”
The security officer nodded.
The father asked:
“You think someone will destroy records?”
“I think people behave differently when they know an audit has a name attached.”
The single father nodded.
“You really don’t trust them.”
The chairwoman looked toward the dead route sign.
“Not tonight.”
She took two steps.
Then stopped.
“One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“If anyone from the company contacts you unexpectedly, do not send them documents.”
“Why?”
“Because I want originals preserved.”
His expression became serious.
“I have copies.”
“Where?”
He paused.
She smiled.
“Good.”
“What?”
“You didn’t answer.”
He almost laughed.
“Maybe I’m learning.”
“I hope so.”
She reached into her handbag.
Removed a card.
The single father looked at it.
Embossed name.
Holding company.
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer.
He stared.
Then at her.
“So you really are—”
“Yes.”
He took the card.
She added:
“Call that number only if something changes before morning.”
“What counts as something?”
“Threats.”
“Someone asking about records.”
“Someone offering you money to stay quiet.”
He stared.
“You think that might happen?”
“I think I just froze millions of dollars of planned service cuts.”
“People become creative.”
The single father put the card into his wallet.
The chairwoman turned.
Then his daughter called from the SUV:
“Bye, lady!”
The chairwoman smiled.
“Goodbye.”
The child shouted:
“Don’t wait at broken bus stops anymore!”
The single father covered his face.
The chairwoman laughed.
“I’ll try.”
The security officer guided her toward the sedan only by voice.
No touching.
She entered.
The car drove away.
The single father remained beneath the shelter for a full minute.
Then looked at the business card again.
He walked back to his SUV.
His daughter was waiting.
“Who was she?”
He opened the door.
“You would not believe me.”
“Try.”
He climbed into the driver’s seat.
“She owns the bus company.”
His daughter stared.
“The whole bus?”
“The company.”
“Oh.”
She thought about it.
“Is that why she has fancy boots?”
He laughed.
“No.”
“Are we rich now?”
“What?”
“She likes you.”
“That is not how money works.”