Then Jessica pointed toward the aisle.
"Get out of first class. Now."
The cabin became silent again.
Maya's phone vibrated a second time.
This time, she reached for it.
The screen illuminated.
A message had arrived from a contact saved as Anderson.
Maya, the board has received the final findings. The emergency meeting is confirmed for 3:00 p.m. Your vote is expected to determine whether the CEO remains in office.
Maya read the message.
Then slowly looked toward the two attendants.
Jessica was still pointing toward the aisle.
Mike was holding her boarding pass.
Neither had the slightest idea who was sitting in Seat 12A.
Maya looked back at the phone.
Another message appeared.
The proposed resolution concerns Adrian Bell. Legal has confirmed the vote can proceed under the bylaws.
For the first time since the meal was dumped on her, Maya smiled.
It was a small smile.
Almost invisible.
But Jessica noticed.
"What's so funny?"
Maya slowly placed the phone against her knee.
Then looked directly into the attendant's eyes.
"Nothing."
Jessica folded her arms.
"Then get up."
Maya's voice was perfectly calm.
"I think you should call your supervisor."
Mike gave an irritated laugh.
"I am the senior cabin supervisor."
Maya nodded.
"I understand."
Then she looked at the airline emblem on his jacket.
"But I think someone considerably higher needs to know what's happening on this aircraft."
Jessica sneered.
"Go ahead. Call whoever you want."
Maya looked down at her phone.
Her thumb hovered over the screen.
Then she quietly said something that made Mike's expression change.
"Your CEO's position depends on a decision I have to make this afternoon."
Jessica rolled her eyes.
"Oh, now you're pretending to own the airline?"
Maya didn't answer.
She tapped a contact.
The call connected almost immediately.
A man's voice came through the speaker.
"Maya? Are you all right? We've been trying to reach you."
She looked toward the ruined gown.
Then toward the two attendants.
"Daniel, I need the company to preserve the cabin records for Flight 418."
The man on the phone became quiet.
"Why?"
Maya took a breath.
"Because I've just experienced something that may explain why the board has been receiving so many complaints."
Mike stopped moving.
Jessica's smile faltered.
And several passengers leaned forward, suddenly aware that the confrontation was no longer going the way the flight attendant expected.
But the most important part of Maya's conversation wasn't what she said next.
It was what the man on the other end told her.
"Before we discuss that," Daniel said carefully, "there's something you should know about the crew assigned to your flight."
Maya frowned.
"What?"
Daniel paused.
Then answered.