We have already delayed boarding long enough. Captain, she repeated, quieter this time. You need to see this. She handed him the device. Gregory read the message once, then again.
Emily watched his expression change. The communication was brief. Corporate operations had requested that flight 718 remain at the gate, pending immediate executive review of a reported onboard incident. Gregory looked at Adrien. What did you do?
Adrienne's face remained still. I made a call. Gregory stared at him, but before he could speak, his own phone vibrated. The name on the screen was Thomas Grant, chief executive officer of Crown Atlantic Airways. Gregory hesitated, then answered, "Captain Walsh. " Thomas did not bother with a greeting.
His voice was loud enough that Gregory instinctively lowered the volume. "Why has Cole Meridian frozen the transaction? " Gregory looked toward Adrien. Heather covered her mouth. Emily closed her eyes briefly as if the last piece had finally fallen into place. Gregory turned away from the passengers.
I do not know what you mean. Thomas answered with controlled urgency. Our legal team just received notice that the two for billiond dollar recapitalization is on hold. The notice references flight 718. Your name in an incident involving Adrien Cole.
Gregory slowly turned back. Adrien was still sitting in 3A, still calm, still the same man Gregory had ordered off the aircraft minutes earlier. Only now the captain finally understood that the stranger he had refused to hear had been holding the future of his company in his hands. Gregory lowered the phone. His voice came out quieter than before.
Who exactly are you? My name is Adrien Cole. Adrien did not stand immediately. He did not need to. The name itself moved through the cabin faster than any raised voice could have.
Gregory stared at him while Thomas Grant remained on the phone waiting. Adrienne continued, "I am the founder and chief executive officer of Cole Meridian Partners. " Heather's eyes dropped toward the floor. Derek became completely still. Emily already knew, but hearing Adrienne say it removed the final uncertainty. Gregory looked at the phone in his hand, then back at the man in seat 3A.
Cole Meridian. Yes. Adrien rose slowly and straightened his charcoal jacket. For the past 8 months, your executive team has been asking my firm and our investment partners to commit to for billion dollars to the future of Crown Atlantic Airways. Tonight, our teams were preparing to move toward final approval.
Gregory's face lost its color. Thomas said something through the phone, but Gregory seemed unable to respond. Adrienne looked around the cabin. I boarded this flight because financial reports tell me what executives want investors to know. Operations tell me what a company actually believes.
His eyes returned to Gregory. Tonight, your crew showed me. Heather stepped forward. Mr. Cole, I think there has been a terrible misunderstanding.
Adrien turned toward her. Which part did I misunderstand? The valid boarding pass, the request for identification, the question about how I paid for my ticket, or the decision that asking why I was treated differently made me a problem. Heather opened her mouth, but no answer came. Gregory finally lowered his phone.