Adrian looked at him.
Then at Meredith.
Then Ms. Caldwell.
He could have answered with one sentence.
She stole my seat.
He could have watched the crew scramble.
Demanded removals.
Fired someone before takeoff.
That would have felt satisfying for about five minutes.
It would also have proven nothing except that powerful people received immediate protection.
Adrian had built the airline to be better than that.
Or believed he had.
So he looked at Thomas and said:
“Before we discuss who I am, I want the seat issue handled exactly as it would be if you had never recognized me.”
Thomas studied him.
Then nodded slowly.
“Understood.”
Ms. Caldwell finally found her voice.
“What exactly is going on?”
Thomas looked at her.
“Ma'am, please show your boarding pass.”
Her confidence returned slightly.
“I am Vivian Caldwell.”
“I heard you.”
“My husband is a Meridian Crown board member.”
That created a second silence.
Adrian looked at her properly for the first time.
Vivian Caldwell.
Not just a celebrity or wealthy passenger.
Vivian Caldwell.
Wife of Mason Caldwell.
Board director.
Chairman of Caldwell Capital.
One of the people who had voted against Adrian twice in the previous year.
Interesting.
She seemed to interpret his recognition as intimidation.
“Yes.”
she said.
“That Caldwell.”
Adrian almost smiled.
Thomas remained professional.
“Your boarding pass, Mrs. Caldwell.”
Vivian opened her handbag.
Pulled out her phone.
Tapped.
Then turned it toward Thomas.
He read.
“3D.”
She lifted her chin.
“I requested 2A.”
Thomas looked toward Meredith.
“Was 2A reassigned in the system?”
Meredith swallowed.
“No.”
“Was Mr. Brooks voluntarily moved?”
“No.”
“Was there an equipment change?”
“No.”
“Safety reason?”
“No.”
“Then 2A belongs to the passenger ticketed in 2A.”
Vivian stared.
“You know I always sit there.”
Thomas remained calm.
“Your assigned seat is 3D.”
“Someone told my office it would be handled.”
“Who?”
Vivian looked at Adrian.
Then seemed to realize she should not answer casually anymore.
“I don't know.”
Thomas said:
“Then for now, please take 3D.”
A man in 3D raised his hand.
“That’s mine.”
Thomas closed his eyes briefly.
“What seat are you assigned?”
“3D.”
Vivian looked toward Meredith.
Meredith went even paler.
Adrian saw it.
There was more.
Thomas said:
“Purser, pull the final manifest.”
Meredith did not move.
“Now.”
“Yes, Captain.”
She hurried to galley.
Adrian looked at Vivian.
“What does your ticket actually say?”
She stared at him.
“I was told 2A.”
“Your app.”
Her jaw tightened.
She looked.
“4C.”
Another passenger raised his hand.
“That’s my seat.”