“I haven't released anything.”
“People recorded.”
“That isn't me.”
She looked toward passengers.
Then back.
“I can ask them to delete.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because you don't get to control their records of something you did in public.”
She looked stung.
Then:
“I suppose that's fair.”
Adrian almost smiled.
“There's a phrase you may hear a lot today.”
She left.
An hour later, Nia returned.
The cabin lights had softened for cruise.
Adrian was reviewing notes.
She crouched beside him.
“You said later.”
“Yes.”
She looked nervous.
“Is this confidential?”
“No.”
She almost stood.
Adrian stopped her.
“But I will handle your identity carefully.”
“That's not the same.”
“No.”
“I won't lie.”
She studied him.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
“What do crew hate about ER-9?”
“Everything.”
“Specific.”
“It's always the person in cheap clothes.”
Adrian looked up.
Nia continued.
“Or solo traveler.”
“Or somebody who doesn't look like they'll complain.”
“What does that mean?”
She gave him a look.
“You know.”
“I want you to say it.”
Nia exhaled.
“Older people.”
“Very young people.”
“People traveling on bereavement fares.”
“People who used miles instead of cash.”
“People with discount corporate tickets.”
“People of color sometimes.”
“Sometimes?”
She stared.
“A lot.”
Adrian felt his chest tighten.
“Have you documented?”
“Yes.”
That surprised him.
“Where?”
“My personal notes.”
“Why?”
“Because after the Shannon thing, I started writing dates.”
“Show Elena Park after landing.”
“Legal?”
“Yes.”
Nia became nervous.
“Am I in trouble?”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Not for documenting policy concerns.”
“What if I violated something?”
“We'll handle correctly.”
She looked unconvinced.
Adrian continued:
“I’m not promising immunity from every rule you may have broken.”
“I am promising you will not be retaliated against for raising good-faith concerns.”
Nia nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
“How many incidents?”
“Twenty-two.”
Adrian stared.
“On your flights alone?”
“Yes.”
“Over what period?”
“Seven months.”
Twenty-two.
Six complaints had reached his office.
Meaning most never escaped normal channels.
“How many involved involuntary downgrades?”
“Fourteen.”
“Compensation?”
“Different every time.”
“Race?”
Nia hesitated.
“I didn't write that.”
“Good.”