Chương 10
“Was the weight wrong?”
“Within tolerance.”
“Any hazardous-material declaration?”
“No.”
“Radiological?”
“None declared.”
“That word again.”
“Declared matters.”
I knew that.
I disliked hearing it anyway.
Daniel swiped to another page.
“Before we open the hold, bomb technicians and Customs inspection are taking the lead.”
I looked at him sharply.
“You think there’s an explosive device.”
“I think nobody gets to assume there isn’t one.”
Ortiz watched me.
“You were moved directly over that container.”
The meaning of the day finally rearranged itself.
Chad’s insult.
Victoria’s money.
The erased seat.
All of it had looked like one ugly little abuse of privilege.
Now the cruelty seemed almost useful to someone.
A distraction people could explain.
A wealthy passenger wants a better seat.
A gate supervisor accepts cash.
An older woman gets shoved to the back.
Nothing mysterious.
Nothing worth examining beyond customer service.
“Was Victoria used?” I asked.
Ortiz’s mouth tightened.
“That is one possibility.”
“Does she have any relationship with NorthStar?”
“We’re checking.”
“Her husband?”
“Sterling Maritime has contractual overlap with two logistics companies that have used NorthStar.”
“That’s not direct.”
“No.”
Daniel said, “There’s also a chance her presence was expected because Chad had an existing arrangement with her.”
“So whoever issued the instruction knew Chad could move me without attracting attention.”
“Yes.”
I looked down at my ruined cardigan.
The stain had dried dark and stiff.
The ridiculousness of it almost made me angry.
Someone might have planned around vanity.
Around bribery.
Around the assumption that ordinary misconduct would conceal extraordinary intent.
Ortiz lowered his voice.
“Eleanor, until we inspect that container, I want you off this aircraft.”
“No.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“This is not the moment.”
“I’m not leaving before the passengers.”
“You are the possible target.”
“And if I walk off surrounded by federal agents while everyone else stays trapped in their seats, what happens?”
“They remain seated.”
“No.”
“They film it.”
Ortiz exhaled.
“They already are.”
“They speculate.”
“They already are.”
“They panic when they see the person apparently connected to the security response being evacuated first.”
Daniel said, “Your public-relations instincts are not relevant.”
“This isn’t public relations.”
“Then what is it?”
“Cabin behavior.”
I pointed toward the curtain.
“There are more than a hundred people out there who have been given almost no information.”
Ortiz rubbed his jaw.
“She has a point.”
Daniel looked at him.
“She always has a point when the point keeps her in the dangerous place.”
“That is unfair.”
“It is also historically accurate.”
I stared at him.
He stared back.
That was the problem with employing people who had known me too long.
They eventually became resistant to rank.
“I’m not staying onboard during inspection,” I said.
“Good.”
“But deplaning should begin in a controlled manner for everyone.”
Ortiz shook his head.
“Not until technicians clear the path and the forward stairs.”
“Then clear them.”
“Eleanor.”
“Sam.”
He looked annoyed.
I had not called him Sam in years.
That was deliberate too.
He lowered his voice.
“If there is a device in that hold and it is somehow associated with your position in the cabin, keeping you aboard is indefensible.”
I looked at Daniel.
He said nothing.
That was agreement.
I hated it.
“Fine.”
Ortiz blinked.
Daniel’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“Don’t look so shocked.”
“I’m savoring the moment.”
“I’ll leave when you tell me the safest route.”
Daniel glanced at Ortiz.
“Forward stairs are protected.”
“Passengers will see.”
“Yes.”
“Then Marisol tells them I’m being removed because of a separate security matter and that general deplaning will follow when authorized.”
Ortiz considered it.
“That’s acceptable.”
I nodded.
“Victoria?”
“Stays.”
“Because?”
“She may be a material witness.”
“Then say that.”
“I just did.”
The curtain shifted.
Marisol appeared.
“Sorry.”
“What is it?”
“Mrs. Sterling is asking for a lawyer.”
Ortiz said, “Good.”
Marisol looked confused.
“That’s good?”
“It means she should stop talking.”
From behind her, Victoria said, “I heard that.”
She stepped into view.
One officer followed but did not touch her.
Her phone had been placed in a clear evidence pouch, apparently with her consent.
She looked from Ortiz to me.
“My attorney is calling your people.”
Ortiz nodded.
“That’s appropriate.”
“Everyone keeps saying appropriate like it’s a sedative.”
“No one is trying to sedate you.”
Victoria looked at me.
“Are you leaving?”
“For now.”
“Why?”
I hesitated.
There was no reason to frighten her with an unconfirmed threat.
“There’s a security concern involving cargo.”
Her face changed.
“What kind?”
“We don’t know.”
“Does Richard know?”
“I don’t know.”
She laughed bitterly.
“There it is again.”
I said, “Do not call him.”
“My phone is in a bag.”
“Then the problem has solved itself.”
“You really are impossible.”
“Frequently.”
For a moment, she almost smiled.
It vanished before becoming one.
Then she stepped closer.
“Was I supposed to be on this flight?”
The question carried more weight than the words.
“I don’t know.”
“Chad told me to take it.”
“Yes.”
“Richard told me not to.”
“Yes.”
“So one of them knew something.”
“Possibly.”
“Stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Making every answer small.”
“Small answers are safer than wrong ones.”
She shook her head.
“That must be exhausting.”
I thought of Harold saying almost the same thing.
“Yes.”
Victoria looked back toward 2A.
“I don’t want to stay on this plane.”
Ortiz answered.
“You’re not being detained on the aircraft.”
“Then I can leave?”
“You can leave with agents to a secure interview area once the route is cleared.”
“With her?”
“No.”
Her eyes returned to me.
Of all the insults she had thrown that day, the next words came out almost childishly.
“I don’t want to be alone.”
No one answered immediately.
The request embarrassed her the moment she heard herself say it.
Her chin rose.
“Forget it.”
I looked at Ortiz.
“Can Marisol accompany her until counsel arrives?”
Marisol blinked.
“Me?”
Ortiz considered.
“As long as crew command approves and she does not discuss the investigation.”
Victoria looked at Marisol.
May you like
Marisol looked back.
Neither woman seemed pleased.
