Chapter 3

Ground Operations refused to approve the seat change.

But Graham refused to give up.

He took the lead flight attendant's tablet and logged straight in with an executive account.

"It's just a seat change. Don't make this more complicated than it is."

The lead flight attendant rushed to stop him.

"Mr. Cole, that flag isn't an ordinary lock."

"I know how the system works."

A few minutes later, an updated boarding pass appeared on my phone.

Seat: 34C.

I looked at the screen, and my expression finally hardened.

"You altered the restricted passenger manifest?"

"It's not restricted anymore." Graham handed the tablet back to the lead flight attendant. "Problem solved."

"Who authorized you to lift it?"

"I represent the CEO's office."

"That's not authorization."

He gave me an impatient shove.

"Stop dragging this out."

I took half a step back but didn't retaliate.

Victoria finally spoke from beside us.

"Owen.

"Graham gave you extra miles and kept you a business-class seat. This ends here."

"It isn't about compensation."

"Then what do you want?"

"Restore the original manifest."

She stared at me for a few seconds.

"Are you trying to embarrass everyone because I rejected you?"

For a moment I did not know what to say.

In her mind, anything I insisted on could only revolve around her.

Emboldened by his boss's support, Graham grew more aggressive.

"Victoria, don't waste time on him."

He turned to me. "If you keep delaying boarding, I'll have the airport police escort you out."

"Go ahead."

I took out my work phone.

"Good. Call them."

Graham lunged for it.

I hadn't expected him to put his hands on the device.

The work phone ended up in his hand, and the screen lit up. There were no standard apps, only an encrypted communications screen.

He hesitated.

"You've gone all out with the act."

"Give it back."

"Settle the seat issue first."

"I'm warning you one last time."

My voice had gone completely cold by then.

"That's a controlled device."

Victoria frowned. "Graham, give him the phone."

Only then did he toss it back to me.

At that moment, my supervisor called.

I answered.

"Owen, the system says your seat has been moved."

"It has."

"Who did it?"

Before I could answer, Graham laughed beside me.

"Your boss?"

He leaned right into the phone.

"Tell your company not to delay a flight over one employee."

The line went silent for two seconds.

"Sir, who am I speaking to?"

"Graham Cole, Office of the CEO, Hale Airlines."

"You altered the manifest?"

"That's right."

"Restore it immediately."

Graham sneered.

"You're telling me how to run my own company's aircraft?"

I closed my eyes for a moment.

Duncan's voice grew calmer instead.

"Understood."

The call ended.

Graham mistook that for surrender.

"That's it?"

I checked the time.

"Almost."

"About what?"

"You'll find out soon."