It would require examining the culture of the entire operation.
From the people who approved flights to the people who served water.
From the senior executives who claimed authority to the junior employees who were afraid to question it.
And she intended to begin immediately.
Richard's first formal interview took place inside a conference room at the private terminal.
Two representatives from the aircraft management company were present.
So was its chief compliance officer.
Richard was advised of the nature of the review and given the opportunity to obtain appropriate representation before answering questions concerning the disputed flight arrangements.
At first, he acted offended.
He insisted that Naomi had misunderstood his intentions.
He claimed he believed she was a catering employee who had entered the cabin prematurely.
He described his order to leave the seat as a routine attempt to prepare the aircraft for an important passenger.
Then the compliance officer asked a simple question.
"Why didn't you verify her identity against the manifest?"
Richard looked irritated.
"I didn't think it was necessary."
"Why?"
He hesitated.
Then gave an answer that made the room quiet.
"She didn't look like the principal."
The compliance officer studied him.
"What does the principal look like?"
Richard stared.
He had no good answer.
The representative continued.
"Did you have a photograph of Ms. Ellis?"
"No."
"Had you met her before?"
"No."
"Then what information led you to conclude that she wasn't the passenger listed?"
Richard leaned back.
He looked toward the window.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then he muttered, "I made an assumption."
The compliance officer nodded.
"All right."
She wrote something down.
Then turned to the second issue.
The Palm Beach flight.
Richard became defensive immediately.
He claimed the movement was part of an approved company arrangement.
But when asked to identify the authorization, he referred to Edmund Royce.
The records showed that Edmund's relevant approval authority had been removed.
Richard claimed he wasn't aware of the change.
Then the compliance officer presented an email confirming that all assigned captains had received the updated approval procedures.
Richard's name appeared in the distribution list.
He stared at it.