Thomas Reed called legal.
Ethan remained near aircraft discussing something with Leah.
Victoria watched him.
He was normally economical in his movements.
Now he was too still.
Thinking.
She rolled closer.
“Captain.”
Ethan turned.
“You should be inside.”
“I own a coat.”
“You’re cold.”
“I own irritation too.”
“That one I’ve seen.”
She stopped in front of him.
“What did you notice?”
Ethan glanced toward Harold.
Then back.
“Not here.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed.
“Do not become mysterious.”
“I’m trying to become accurate.”
She hated when he used her own management language against her.
“Five minutes.”
Ethan exhaled.
Then lowered himself into a crouch so they were nearly eye level.
Victoria noticed again.
Always level.
Never towering when something mattered.
He held a thin maintenance report.
“Last night’s inspection includes replacement of the left fire-detection loop connector.”
Victoria frowned.
“Routine?”
“No.”
“It wasn’t scheduled.”
“Why replace it?”
“Log says intermittent resistance.”
“Did we have that problem?”
“Not according to prior thirty days.”
Victoria looked toward aircraft.
“Could be preventive.”
“Yes.”
“But?”
Ethan opened report.
“The replacement was signed by technician named Aaron Dale.”
“Okay.”
“Aaron Dale is on medical leave.”
Her eyes returned sharply.
“How do you know?”
“I called Seattle maintenance from cockpit after landing.”
“His supervisor confirmed he hasn’t been on site for twelve days.”
Victoria’s expression hardened.
“So signature is false.”
“Either false or entered under his credentials.”
She touched Ethan’s wrist without thinking.
He stopped speaking.
Her fingertips rested on his watch.
Neither moved.
Victoria said quietly, “You don’t have to stay this close, Captain.”
A small smile touched his mouth.
“But I’m glad you are.”
Ethan held her eyes.
“After that landing, being anywhere else feels like the wrong place.”
The words landed gently.
Too gently.
Victoria’s thumb moved once across his wrist.
“Careful.”
“What?”
“You’re making it very difficult for me to keep calling this professional.”
Ethan’s smile changed.
Less joking.
“Then for one minute, Victoria…”
He leaned slightly closer.
“Don’t.”
Her breath caught.
The world narrowed strangely.
Wet tarmac.
Jet behind them.
People moving at the edges.
His face close.
Her hand still against him.
Then Ethan looked down at the report.
His expression changed.
“There's more.”
Of course there was.
Victoria withdrew her hand slowly.
“What?”
“The work authorization.”
He turned page.
“Replacement was requested under executive maintenance code.”
“Whose?”
Ethan looked past her.
Toward Harold Vance.
“His.”
Victoria did not react immediately.
“No.”
“I’m not saying he did anything.”
“Good.”
“I’m saying the code originated from his office.”
Victoria’s voice became cold.
“Show me.”
Ethan did.
There.
HV-EXEC-17.
Authorization.
2:13 a.m.
Replacement approved.
Victoria looked toward Harold.
He stood near SUV.
Talking to someone.