The agent sighed.
“Emma, I know.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then the gate agent added quietly.
“Please document anything unusual. This was not a normal inventory change.”
Emma looked toward Halden.
He was speaking with his assistant near the forward galley.
She nodded.
“I will.”
At nine-forty, I arrived at the gate.
I was carrying the brown leather briefcase my sister bought me after Apex Harbor closed its first major infrastructure investment.
She'd saved for months to buy it.
At the time, I protested.
“Olivia, this is too expensive.”
She laughed.
“You spend your life carrying billion-dollar contracts in a backpack with a broken zipper.”
I smiled.
“The zipper was repaired.”
She raised one eyebrow.
“Adrian.”
I surrendered.
The briefcase became one of my favorite possessions.
Not because it was luxurious.
Because it reminded me of the little office above the coffee shop where my colleagues and I began.
I had used it for nearly ten years.
That morning, it contained a laptop, personal notes, copies of the financing agreement, and several documents I planned to review privately with Northstar's independent directors.
I checked my boarding pass.
Flight 408.
Seat 2A.
Confirmed.
Then I approached the gate.
The agent scanned my ticket.
A warning appeared.
She frowned.
For a moment, she studied the screen.
Then looked toward me.
“Mr. Cole, one moment.”
I nodded.
“Of course.”
She called a supervisor.
The two women examined the system.
Finally, the supervisor looked up.
“There appears to be a seat reassignment.”
I frowned.
“I haven't requested one.”
“I understand.”
“Is there a reason?”
She hesitated.
“An operational adjustment.”
I looked toward the boarding pass.
“What seat have I been assigned?”
Another pause.
“We're still resolving that.”
I checked my watch.
The scheduled departure was approaching.
I had meetings in New York and no intention of creating unnecessary difficulty.
“I have a confirmed first-class ticket. If there's a legitimate equipment or safety issue, I understand. But I'd appreciate an explanation and an equivalent accommodation.”
The supervisor nodded.
“Of course.”
Then she made a call.
For several minutes, I waited beside the counter.
A few passengers passed.
Others glanced toward me.
Finally, the supervisor returned.
“Mr. Cole, we're going to allow you to board while executive operations confirms the assignment.”
I looked surprised.