[ He sees the way she winces, frowning a little with concern. She settles again before he can offer a hand, though. ]

What channels are you expecting to take, exactly? Take a Greyhound and go across the country, or hotwire a car. You don't have to talk to anyone except to buy a ticket.

I mean, your father's reach can't be so narrow that he's got every gas station clerk or bus driver in his pocket.