“I’ll try not to.”
Better.
The moment they landed in New York, Isaiah’s executive phone exploded.
Thirty-two messages.
His chief operating officer.
General counsel.
Head of customer experience.
Vice president of inflight operations.
Board chair.
Someone had already uploaded thirty-eight seconds of cabin video.
It showed Vale throwing the boarding passes.
Then Evelyn’s handbag hitting the floor.
Then Isaiah stepping between them.
Caption:
FIRST CLASS STAFF HUMILIATE ELDERLY WOMAN AND SON—THEN DISCOVER WHO HE IS
Isaiah hated the last part.
The reveal.
Always the reveal.
He opened the comments.
Bad decision.
Most supported them.
Some asked whether the incident mattered only because he was CEO.
Exactly the right question.
Others accused the video of being staged.
Some defended Vale.
Maybe fraud happens.
Maybe passengers were difficult.
Maybe missing context.
Isaiah closed the app.
His COO called.
Isaiah answered.
“Daniel.”
“What the hell happened?”
“Good afternoon to you too.”
“Isaiah.”
“I’m fine.”
“Your mother?”
“Angry.”
“I saw the video.”
“So did everyone.”
“We need a statement.”
“No.”
Silence.
“What?”
“Not yet.”
“The story is moving.”
“Let it.”
“Board chair already called.”
“Tell her I’ll call tonight.”
“What happened?”
Isaiah looked toward Vale standing near the aircraft door as passengers left.
Vale looked destroyed.
Not only scared.
Destroyed.
Isaiah did not enjoy it.
That surprised him.
He said:
“Daniel, freeze all service-audit data involving premium cabin complaints for the last three years.”
“Why?”
“Do it.”
“Okay.”
“And preserve scheduling records for first-class supervisors.”
“Isaiah.”
“Also complaint disposition.”
“Passenger surveys.”
“Refund authorization.”
“Upgrade removal incidents.”
Daniel went quiet.
“This is bigger?”
“I don't know.”
“That’s why we preserve before people start cleaning.”
Daniel understood.
“Done.”
“External counsel.”
“Yes?”
“Not our usual employment firm.”
“Why?”
“No familiarity bias.”
“Independent.”
“Okay.”
“And do not fire Vale yet.”
Silence.
Daniel almost shouted.
“You’re kidding.”
“No.”
“He threw your mother’s bag.”
“I know.”
“He called security.”
“I was there.”
“Why not suspend?”
“Remove him from service immediately.”
“Paid administrative hold.”
“No passenger contact.”
“But no final decision before investigation.”