Something cold moved through Nina.
Not because of the words.
Because of the tone.
She had heard it before.
At hotels.
Boardrooms.
Luxury stores.
Country clubs.
Airport lounges.
Places where disbelief disguised itself as procedure.
Nina placed both hands on her lap.
“Is there a problem?”
Riley glanced toward the rear cabin.
“Coach passengers sometimes bring luggage forward during boarding because overhead space fills quickly.”
Nina said nothing.
Riley continued.
“I’m trying to prevent confusion.”
“Then you’re creating it very efficiently.”
Riley’s smile vanished.
“Excuse me?”
“You checked my boarding pass.”
“You confirmed the seat.”
“The case is not obstructing the aisle.”
“What exactly are you still investigating?”
Riley’s jaw tightened.
A passenger behind them raised his phone slightly.
Not filming yet.
Ready.
Riley noticed.
She had a choice.
Step away.
Or win.
She chose to win.
“Put the case overhead now.”
Nina looked upward.
The compartment above 2A was already full.
Crew equipment occupied half of it. Another passenger had placed a garment bag across the remaining space.
“There’s no room.”
“Use the bin behind you.”
Nina glanced back.
Passengers were still boarding through the aisle.
“I’m not carrying a sealed case backward through active boarding.”
“Sealed?”
“Yes.”
Riley looked at the silver strip.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means the case must remain in my custody.”
Riley laughed softly.
“Ma’am, this is an airplane, not a spy movie.”
Nina looked directly at her.
“I’m asking you not to touch it.”
That should have been the second opportunity to stop.
Riley did not take it.
She stepped into the row.
Nina’s body stiffened.
Riley nudged the briefcase with the toe of her burgundy heel.
“Then slide it farther under the seat.”
Nina immediately said:
“Stop.”
Riley pressed again.
The case moved until one corner struck the seat rail.
The silver seal bent.
Nina’s expression changed.
“Take your foot off my case.”
Riley stared down at her.
“Then put it away.”
The man in 1C removed his headphones completely.
A woman in 3A began recording.
Nina pointed toward the clasp.
“You are damaging a security seal.”
Riley rolled her eyes.
“It’s luggage.”
“No.”
Nina’s voice became colder.
“It contains controlled corporate documents.”
“Then you should’ve packed them correctly.”
“My packaging is compliant.”
“According to you.”
Nina slowly stood.
Riley remained between her and the aisle.
The height difference surprised her.
Nina was taller in the boots.
For the first time, Riley stepped backward.
Only half a step.
“Move away from my property.”
Riley crossed her arms.
“You’re being unnecessarily aggressive.”
Nina almost smiled at the absurdity.
“I haven’t touched you.”
“You’re raising your voice.”
“I’m not.”
The passenger recording from row three whispered to her husband:
“She’s literally not.”