The inspection yielded no results: the luggage was clean, documents in order, no traces of prohibited substances. But Bim kept barking fiercely, never taking his eyes off the toy.

“Buddy, everything’s clean here,” whispered Alex, bending down to the dog. “What’s bothering you?”

Bim barked, then pressed his nose again against the teddy bear.

“Can we go now?” asked the mother impatiently. “Our flight to Lisbon leaves in an hour.”