Caroline followed her gaze.
Marcus remained beside the vehicle.
Two other black SUVs had just entered the distant side of the ramp.
Caroline’s expression flickered.
Then she looked back.
“You came separately?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Simone’s voice stayed flat.
“Because I wanted fresh air.”
Not completely true.
But enough.
Caroline looked at her outfit again.
Simone saw it.
Of course.
The calculus.
If she were truly the new owner, why would she arrive like this?
Why not a suit?
Why not assistants?
Why not security?
Why not visible wealth in a form Caroline recognized?
Simone could almost hear the assumptions arranging themselves.
She had experienced the same thing in banks, hotels, boardrooms, jewelry stores, and once in her own office lobby after working late without her badge.
People did not always deny her power.
Sometimes they simply insisted it wear the costume they had rehearsed.
Caroline said:
“I’m going to call operations.”
“Please do.”
She reached for her radio.
Then stopped.
“Wait here.”
Simone looked at the jet.
“I am.”
Caroline turned away.
Claire stayed near the stairs.
Simone looked up at her.
“You can come down.”
Claire hesitated.
“Ms. West told me to remain at the cabin.”
“I’m not giving you an order.”
“Oh.”
Claire descended one step.
Then another.
Simone watched.
“How long have you worked here?”
“Seven months.”
“Private aviation?”
“First job.”
“Before?”
“Commercial.”
“Which airline?”
Claire named one.
Simone nodded.
“Why did you switch?”
Claire looked surprised.
“Schedule.”
“And pay.”
“And I thought private would be calmer.”
Simone smiled.
“How’s that going?”
Claire almost smiled too.
Then stopped because Caroline turned back.
“Claire.”
The younger woman immediately straightened.
Caroline approached.
“I can’t reach dispatch.”
Simone’s expression did not change.
“Try director of flight operations.”
“I know how to do my job.”
“Then call him.”
Caroline stared.
Simone held her gaze.
Caroline raised radio again.
A male voice answered after several seconds.
“West?”
“Yes.”
“I have an unauthorized woman at the aircraft claiming ownership changed this morning.”
Simone watched Claire flinch at “unauthorized woman.”
The male voice said:
“What name?”
Caroline looked at the folder.
“Simone Bennett.”
Silence.
Not static.
Silence.
Caroline’s eyes narrowed.
“Operations?”
The male voice returned.
“Hold.”