I nodded.
“Good.”
She continued.
“Northstar's board chair has asked for your direct account.”
“I'll provide it.”
“Are you safe?”
“Yes.”
“Any injuries?”
“Nothing serious. My arms are sore.”
She took a breath.
“Please document that.”
“I will.”
Then she said something that surprised me.
“Adrian, we received another message from Nina Alvarez's attorney.”
I stopped walking.
“What happened?”
“Nina is on Flight 408.”
I looked back toward the aircraft.
For several seconds, I was silent.
Then asked, “Where?”
“Business class. Her attorney says she was told her ticket might be canceled after a change appeared in the system.”
My stomach tightened.
I looked toward the airline supervisor beside me.
Then back toward the jet bridge.
That was too much coincidence.
One manipulated seat assignment might be an administrative error.
Two unusual itinerary changes involving people connected to the same sensitive financing review deserved immediate examination.
I lowered my voice.
“Maya, ask Eleanor to coordinate with Nina's attorney. Don't let anyone pressure Nina to act outside the proper process.”
“Already doing it.”
I nodded.
“Good.”
Then I asked, “Who at Northstar knew we were traveling?”
Maya hesitated.
“Several people.”
“Names?”
“Board counsel. Certain finance personnel. A small part of executive operations.”
I thought about the reservation override.
Halden's confidence.
The instruction to remove me.
Then the fact that he hadn't recognized my role.
Someone had given him enough information to target my seat but not enough to understand the financial consequences.
That made no sense if the problem was simply customer service.
It made much more sense if someone wanted Halden to become an unwitting instrument.
I looked toward the terminal windows.
Then said quietly, “Find out whether Leonard Pike's office had access to the itinerary.”
Maya was silent.
Then answered.
“Understood.”
We ended the call.
For several seconds, I stood beside the airport supervisor.
Then I took a slow breath.
The humiliation aboard Flight 408 was still fresh.
My arms ached.
My briefcase clasp was damaged.
And I had no idea how widely the videos were already spreading.
But the feeling dominating my thoughts wasn't anger anymore.
It was concern.
Because the man who had ordered my removal might have been arrogant enough to act on prejudice.