“He put his hands on you?”
“Yes.”
“And we're leaving?”
“Yes.”
Marcus stared.
“You are infuriating.”
“I’ve been told.”
He looked toward the cabin door.
Amara blocked his path.
“No.”
“I just want to talk.”
“You are six foot four and currently look like you want to fold him into a suitcase.”
Marcus considered.
“Fair.”
“Sit.”
He sat.
Amara did too.
Nina entered carefully.
“Ms. Sterling?”
“Amara.”
Nina looked uncomfortable.
“Operations asked whether you want Mr. Collins removed from property before departure.”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Nina hesitated.
Amara looked up.
“What?”
The flight attendant twisted her hands together.
“I’m sorry I didn't intervene sooner.”
Amara studied her.
“You intervened before you knew who I was.”
Nina nodded.
“That is precisely why I'm not upset with you.”
The younger woman blinked.
Amara continued.
“You told him to release me.”
“Yes.”
“You challenged him when he told you to stay out of it.”
“Yes.”
“That matters.”
Nina breathed out.
“Thank you.”
Then:
“I should have called my supervisor sooner.”
“Maybe.”
Nina looked surprised.
Amara continued.
“We'll examine process later.”
“Today I'm more interested in why Collins believed your role was irrelevant the moment he decided he was right.”
Nina looked toward the cabin door.
“He does that.”
Amara went still.
Marcus heard too.
“How often?”
Nina immediately looked worried.
Amara noticed.
“Your answer will not be used against you.”
Nina remained silent.
“That wasn’t vague.”
Amara leaned forward.
“I am telling you directly: you will not be retaliated against for answering.”
Nina swallowed.
“He’s had complaints.”
Marcus's face changed.
Amara asked:
“What kind?”
“He gets aggressive.”
“With passengers?”
“Drivers.”
“Catering.”
“Crew.”
“Mostly people he thinks should already know what he wants.”
Amara stared.
“And nobody told me.”
Nina looked embarrassed.
“I'm sure management knows.”
That was worse.
Amara sat back.
The aircraft door closed.
Engines prepared to start.
Her Arizona acquisition suddenly felt less urgent.
Not unimportant.
Less immediate.
Marcus looked at her.
“You're doing the face.”
“What face?”
“The one you do before somebody discovers the meeting agenda changed.”
Amara looked out the window.
Derek Collins stood beside a Sentinel supervisor now.
No arrogance.
No broad stance.
Just a man answering questions.
She said:
“Get me the last twelve months of security incident reports at Teterboro.”
Marcus nodded.
“Sentinel complaints too.”
“Already texting.”
“And the contract.”
Marcus looked at her.
“You thinking termination?”
“I’m thinking information.”
He smiled slightly.