Why are you defending it? Zuri asked. Clare fell silent. Officer Mercer checked the orders transmission record. It had not come from a court server.
It had entered through the airlines family passenger services archive. The same department Celeste once directed. Hayes faced her. Who still has access to your old files? I resigned 3 years ago.
That was not my question. Celeste looked toward the sealed bracelets. senior administrators, legal officers, airport coordinators, and former directors. Celeste did not answer. Captain Cole ordered flight 218 to continue toward Kansas City. Police would secure the aircraft before anyone disembarked.
Zur's phone vibrated again. Unknown sender 417. The order is false. The warning attached to it is not. A locked audio file appeared beneath the message.
Zuri pressed it. Her mother's voice filled the cabin. If Zuri and Nia are aboard flight 218, keep them together. Do not release them to anyone using my name. Ask Clare Voss what happened at gate 17.
Nia stopped breathing for a moment. The voice was unmistakable. Not because it sounded perfect, but because Simone paused before Nia's name, the way she always did when trying not to say Zuri twice. The recording ended. Every face turned toward Clare.
What happened at gate 17? Officer Hayes asked. Clare pressed both hands against the galley counter. I don't remember. Nia hugged Mr. Buttons.
Mom remembered. A gray-haired passenger in row four rose halfway from his seat. I remember gate 17. His name was Dr. Everett Lane. He said his 12-year-old nephew had traveled alone the previous year.
The airlines record claimed the boy was delivered to him at 6:10 p.m. He reached me after 8. Dr. Lane said he had been left in an employee waiting room at gate 17. Officer Mercer looked toward Clare. Were you involved? I handle hundreds of flights.
Dr. Lane stepped into the aisle. You signed the handoff form. Clare's jaw tightened. If the record contains my number, someone may have copied it just as they copied it today. You spoke to me, Dr. Lane said.
You asked me not to file a formal complaint. That is not true. You said an investigation would frighten my nephew. Passengers began watching Clare differently. Officer Hayes gave Dr. Lane paper and asked him to write a statement.
He completed one page, signed it, and held it out. Then his phone vibrated. It should not have received anything. The cabin network remained isolated. Dr. Lane read the screen.
His hand began to shake. He folded the statement and pulled it back. I made a mistake. Officer Hayes did not move. You identified Clare clearly.
I confused her with another flight attendant. Who messaged you? No one. Zuri pointed at his screen. Your phone received the same hidden signal as mine.