She was smiling.
I raised an eyebrow.
"You're not allowed to give me the senator speech."
She laughed.
"What senator speech?"
"The one about leadership and civic responsibility."
She placed one hand over her heart.
"I'm wounded."
I grinned.
Then she looked at me more seriously.
"You did good work."
I felt my chest tighten.
"Really?"
"Really."
I nodded.
"Thanks, Mom."
She looked toward the conference room.
"I especially liked the part about how people need a way to correct inaccurate records."
I smiled faintly.
"That part was new."
"I noticed."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she said, "Your dad called."
I looked up.
"What did he say?"
"He wanted to know whether you'd finished."
I laughed.
"Of course he did."
She smiled.
"He also said he was proud of you."
My eyes filled.
Then my phone buzzed.
It was a message from Denise Parker, the airline investigator.
She asked whether I would be available for another conversation later that afternoon.
The airline had reviewed the gate records.
And there was something new they needed to discuss.
During the call, Denise explained that the internal review had identified several important discrepancies.
The initial reservation records confirmed that I was assigned to 2A.
The identity and boarding checks had been completed.
The handwritten notation on my printed ticket matched an entry made by Marissa Chen, the gate employee who had assisted me before boarding.
That detail mattered because it established that the airline had already verified the linked reservation and understood that I was traveling with another passenger.
The false report wasn't caused by a computer confusing my seat with somebody else's.
It was a separate entry.
Made later.
Under the passenger incident system.
Denise told me that investigators were reviewing the associated communications and employee accounts.
I listened carefully.
Then I asked, "Was it a mistake?"
She paused.
"The investigation is still ongoing, so I don't want to characterize someone's intent before the review is complete."
I appreciated the answer.
Then she continued.
"But we can confirm that the allegations in the entry were not supported by the evidence we've reviewed."
I let out a breath.