The flight attendants moved a Black woman from first class to the last row—then fell silent as she opened her wallet and said, “I am Dr. Simone Carter, FAA administrator.” But her title wasn’t what terrified the airline CEO most. It was the interview file she’d been called in to about thirty seconds earlier.

He saw Simone holding the phone.

“Ma’am, the devices must be in airplane mode.”

Simone raised a finger.

“I’ll be finished in a moment.”

“You must end the call now.”

Secretary Harlan heard it.

« Who is it ? »

“A flight attendant.”

Derek moved closer.

“I said to end the call.”

Simone looked at him.

“This is an urgent appeal from the government regarding security.”

“I don’t care who you’re talking to.”

Loretta Gaines turned slowly towards him.

Derek continued.

“If you refuse the crew’s instructions, the captain may return to the gate and expel you.”

Simone studied it for two seconds.

Secretary Harlan then said over the phone, loud enough for Derek to hear:

“Simone, do you need me to contact airport operations?”

Derek frowned.

“Who exactly are you talking to?”

Simone closed her notebook.

She had wanted to remain anonymous for longer.

The maintenance problem changed everything.