Aircraft schedules changed frequently.
Invoices arrived late.
And different providers sometimes used inconsistent descriptions.
He assigned an analyst to investigate.
The analyst found additional discrepancies.
Several movements described as operational positioning flights had expenses inconsistent with their documented purposes.
One flight involved a destination not connected to any approved company travel.
Another had been linked to an authorization supposedly issued by Edmund Royce.
That concerned Julian.
Edmund's authority had been reduced months earlier.
He no longer had unrestricted approval rights for company aircraft use.
Yet his name continued appearing in communications involving Richard Vance.
Julian requested an audit.
The review had barely begun when Naomi called from Teterboro.
"Julian, this is Naomi Ellis."
Her voice was calm.
But he recognized something unusual in it.
A restraint that often meant she was far angrier than she sounded.
He listened as she described Richard's behavior.
Then she asked for a replacement captain.
Julian immediately began arranging it.
He contacted the chief pilot.
The operator's duty manager.
And the appropriate ground team.
He instructed them not to release the aircraft for the proposed movement until the authorization and crew arrangements were verified.
Then he opened the day's scheduling record.
The screen showed Naomi's confirmed flight.
Teterboro to Columbus.
One authorized passenger.
A departure planned for midafternoon.
But beneath it was another record.
A proposed positioning flight.
Destination: Palm Beach.
The two movements overlapped.
Julian stared.
He opened the revision history.
Richard's name appeared.
Then an approval reference associated with Edmund Royce.
Julian's pulse quickened.
He called the scheduling coordinator.
"Marisol, who's traveling on the Palm Beach leg?"
The coordinator sounded confused.
"What Palm Beach leg?"
Julian gave her the record number.
He heard typing.
Then silence.
Finally, Marisol spoke.
"Julian, that's listed as an operational movement."
"Who requested it?"
"Captain Vance."
"Who authorized the passengers?"
A pause.
"There aren't any passengers listed."
Julian stared at the screen.
Then asked, "Why does the catering order specify service for four?"
Marisol went silent.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she answered carefully.
"I don't know."
Julian felt a cold sensation settle in his stomach.
He opened the catering attachment.
Four premium meals.
Imported wine.
A special dessert arrangement.