“During boarding, we need you to follow the crew’s directions. Please end the call.”
She stared at him, then pressed the screen and lowered the phone.
“You’re making a serious mistake.”
Daniel did not answer.
Morgan looked toward Elena.
“She’s enjoying this.”
Elena was reviewing her notes.
“No,” she said. “I’m doing my job.”
Morgan scoffed.
“Your job? You’re sitting on an airplane writing notes about people.”
“I’m assigned to evaluate this flight’s safety procedures.”
“And you think this makes you untouchable?”
Elena’s gaze lifted.
“No. It makes me accountable.”
The words were so plain that Morgan seemed unable to find a way to twist them.
Daniel stepped away to continue coordinating with the captain.
The passengers were now fully aware that something serious had happened.
The man in the navy sweater, whose name was Peter Lang, had seen the slap from across the aisle. He had initially thought about intervening physically, but Daniel had reached the scene before he could move.
Peter had spent thirty years as a high-school principal. He had dealt with fights, bullying, threats, and the aftermath of students who believed that power meant the ability to humiliate someone weaker.
He recognized the look on Elena’s face.
It was not fearlessness. It was control.
He had seen that same expression in teachers who refused to let an aggressive parent intimidate them, and in students who had finally decided that remaining silent was more painful than speaking up.
When Elena looked over, Peter offered a small nod.
“Are you all right?”
“I’ll be fine. Thank you.”
“That was unacceptable.”
“Yes.”
Peter hesitated.
“If you need me to give a statement, I will.”
“I appreciate that.”
Across the aisle, the young woman who had recorded the incident introduced herself as Rachel Kim. She was a software designer traveling to visit her parents. She had started recording when Morgan slapped Elena, partly because she wanted evidence and partly because she was frightened that the situation might escalate.
“I didn’t know whether I should step in,” Rachel admitted.
“You did what you could safely do,” Elena replied. “Preserving what happened may help establish an accurate account.”
Rachel nodded.
“I’m willing to share the recording with the appropriate people.”
“Thank you. Please keep the original file intact.”
Morgan heard them.
“Unbelievable. You’re all acting like I attacked someone in the street.”
Peter looked at her.
“You did attack someone.”
Morgan turned sharply.
“I don’t know you.”
“You don’t need to.”