The CEO asked:
“Is there any indication of a physical threat to the aircraft?”
The Captain answered immediately.
“No.”
“Bomb threat?”
“No.”
“Unauthorized person beyond him?”
The Captain looked toward the Operations Executive.
“No.”
“Aircraft tampering?”
“Maintenance is rechecking.”
“Cockpit systems?”
“Normal.”
The CEO nodded.
“Then this may be an attempt to stop me personally.”
The Operations Executive said:
“That’s what we think.”
The CEO looked at him.
“We?”
“Corporate security.”
“Where are they?”
“On the way.”
“Who contacted them?”
“I did.”
“With what phone?”
He held up his device.
“Unlock it.”
The man stared.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a company phone.”
“I know.”
The Operations Executive unlocked it.
The CEO held out her hand.
He hesitated.
Then gave it to her.
She did not search deeply.
That would create chain-of-custody problems.
Instead, she looked at recent calls.
Corporate Security.
General Counsel.
Board Chairman.
Then one number she did not recognize.
Boston area code.
Three calls.
The CEO held up the phone.
“This.”
The Operations Executive looked.
His face changed.
“I don’t know that number.”
“You called it three times.”
“I didn’t.”
The Captain stared.
The CEO looked toward the Operations Executive.
His fear looked genuine.
Again, not proof.
But information.
The CEO handed the phone to the Captain.
“Do not touch anything else.”
The Captain nodded.
The Operations Executive said:
“You think my phone is compromised.”
“I think we have enough abnormalities that guessing would be irresponsible.”
The Senior Flight Attendant suddenly spoke.
“I want to get off.”
Everyone looked at her.
The CEO asked:
“Why?”
The woman swallowed.
“I don’t feel safe.”
The Captain said:
“We can remove you from the rotation.”
The Senior Flight Attendant nodded rapidly.
“Yes.”
The Junior Flight Attendant looked toward her.
Something passed between them.
Not sympathy.
Recognition.
The CEO saw it.
“What?”
The younger woman looked away.
The CEO repeated:
“What?”
The Junior Flight Attendant whispered:
“She never gives up a premium route.”
The Senior Flight Attendant turned.
“Stop.”
The Captain stepped between them.