“I’m sorry.”
Maya looked at her.
“For what?”
Linda swallowed.
“I should have stopped it earlier.”
Maya said nothing.
Linda’s eyes filled.
“When she asked to move you, I knew the seat was confirmed.”
“Why didn’t you say that?”
“I did.”
“To her?”
“Yes.”
“Clearly?”
Linda hesitated.
Maya waited.
“No.”
“Why?”
“She’s been flying with us longer.”
Maya nodded.
There it was.
One of the oldest institutional problems in existence.
Someone knows.
Someone hesitates.
Hierarchy converts knowledge into silence.
Maya adjusted the baby blanket.
“You’ll be asked about that.”
“I know.”
“Tell the truth.”
“I will.”
“Even the part where you did nothing.”
Linda looked down.
“Yes.”
Maya nodded.
“Then start there.”
The flight finally pushed back forty-three minutes late.
Captain Bennett made no special announcement.
Good.
Maya did not want one.
The aircraft climbed over New York.
Amara slept.
Maya stared out at clouds beneath the wing.
Her phone filled with messages.
Her sister:
WHY ARE YOU TRENDING WHILE HOLDING MY NIECE IN A FEATHER DRESS COVERED IN PASTA???
Maya actually laughed.
She replied:
Long story. Amara fine. Dress deceased.
Her sister:
I TOLD YOU NOT TO WEAR THAT ON A PLANE
Maya:
This is not the lesson.
Then another message.
Anderson:
Secure meeting begins in 20. Are you able to join?
Maya looked toward the sleeping baby.
She connected headphones.
Opened the encrypted board portal.
Twenty minutes later, while Crown Atlantic Flight 284 climbed through thirty thousand feet, Maya Washington entered an emergency board meeting from Seat 12A.
Richard Anderson appeared first.
Silver-haired.
Serious.
Then the general counsel.
Audit committee chair.
Chief financial officer.
Three independent directors.
Finally Malcolm Reed, Crown Atlantic’s chief executive.