Monica heard something in her voice.
“What happened?”
“I’m on Flight 814.”
“I know.”
“I’m seated beside Preston Hale.”
Silence.
Monica finally said, “Hale Meridian Preston Hale?”
The smile disappeared from Preston’s face.
Simone kept her eyes on him.
“Yes.”
Monica’s voice changed immediately.
“Why are you beside him?”
“Coincidence.”
“What happened?”
Simone looked down at Lila.
“He spilled champagne on the baby.”
Monica inhaled sharply.
“Is she okay?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Simone paused.
“He told me I don’t belong in first class.”
Another silence.
Longer this time.
Monica spoke carefully.
“What do you want me to do?”
That question mattered.
Monica did not offer to cancel a contract in anger.
Did not promise revenge.
Did not turn an ugly personal encounter into automatic corporate punishment.
Simone appreciated her for that.
“Preserve tomorrow’s meeting.”
“Okay.”
“Change it from renewal negotiation to vendor-governance review.”
Preston sat upright.
Monica asked, “Basis?”
“Executive-conduct concern potentially relevant to the ethics representation.”
“Anything beyond the flight incident?”
“Not yet.”
“Then that’s what we have.”
“Yes.”
Monica typed.
“We’ll ask Compliance to review the executive-conduct certification and existing employee-relations disclosures.”
“Good.”
“And Simone?”
“Yes?”
“Document exactly what happened.”
Simone looked toward the phones pointed from nearby seats.
“That may not be difficult.”
Preston leaned across the divider.
“Excuse me.”
Simone held up one finger.
Monica heard him.
“Is that him?”
“Yes.”
Preston’s face had become pale.
Simone continued.
“I’ll call after landing.”
“Take care of Lila first.”
“I will.”
She ended the call.
For several seconds, Preston stared at her.
Then he laughed again.
Different laugh.
Smaller.
“You said Meridian Alliance.”
“Yes.”
“Which office?”
“Executive procurement.”
“What’s your name?”
Simone looked almost curious.
“You didn’t ask before.”
“I’m asking now.”
“Simone Bennett.”
Nothing happened for half a second.
Then recognition arrived.
Preston blinked.
Once.
Twice.
He looked toward her laptop.
Then at the baby.
Then back at Simone.
“Simone Bennett.”