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Celia and Bill’s Loyalty

All the Old Knives

Celia’s trust in Bill and her attempt to protect him from suspicion develop into a complicated bond tested by the hidden evidence.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
A Mentor’s ConfidenceA Mentor’s Confidence from "All the Old Knives". A Mentor’s Confidence Guidance William Compton supervises Celia’s work and becomes a mentor she admires.
A Mentor’s Confidence Guidance William Compton supervises Celia’s work and becomes a mentor she admires. Their relationship is grounded in professional trust and a shared understanding of station life. Affection Celia’s regard for Bill exceeds ordinary respect for a superior. She thinks of him as a close friend and almost as family.
A Strained Home LifeA Strained Home Life from "All the Old Knives". A Strained Home Life Concern Celia recognizes the unhappiness in Bill’s marriage to Sally and urges him to consider leaving.
A Strained Home Life Concern Celia recognizes the unhappiness in Bill’s marriage to Sally and urges him to consider leaving. She feels protective anger on his behalf. Limits Bill does not take her advice, and she cannot make his choices for him. Their closeness allows her to see his vulnerability but not to control it.
A Suspicious CallA Suspicious Call from "All the Old Knives". A Suspicious Call Evidence Celia finds a short call from Bill’s office line to Amman. At first, the discovery appears to implicate the person she trusts.
A Suspicious Call Evidence Celia finds a short call from Bill’s office line to Amman. At first, the discovery appears to implicate the person she trusts. Silence She hesitates to share the evidence because she cannot yet determine what it means. Her loyalty to Bill becomes entangled with her fear that a truthful report may destroy him.
A Secret KeptA Secret Kept from "All the Old Knives". A Secret Kept Protection Celia eventually realizes the call was connected to Henry, not to Bill’s betrayal.
A Secret Kept Protection Celia eventually realizes the call was connected to Henry, not to Bill’s betrayal. She keeps her discovery private because she believes Henry may have acted under coercion and no trial can restore the dead. Burden Her silence protects Henry while leaving Bill exposed to suspicion years later. Loyalty becomes a choice with consequences rather than a simple virtue.
A Warning Across YearsA Warning Across Years from "All the Old Knives". A Warning Across Years Call Bill contacts Celia after Henry questions him in London. He tells her that the inquiry appears to be turning toward her.
A Warning Across Years Call Bill contacts Celia after Henry questions him in London. He tells her that the inquiry appears to be turning toward her. Trust Restored The warning gives Celia time to seek help and plan. Despite years apart, their bond remains strong enough for Bill to risk reopening the painful history.
Before the Vienna disaster
December 2006, before the hijacking crisis peaks
The first night of the hijacking
After the Flight 127 disaster
Two weeks before October 16, 2012