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.

Blake looked surprised.

“What passenger categorization system?”

Another voice came from the doorway.

“They do it.”

Everyone turned around.

A young flight attendant was standing outside.

The same woman Simone had noticed earlier looked uncomfortable as Derek and Marianne forced her to leave first class.

Her name tag read Janelle Ortega .

Marianne appeared behind her.

“Janelle, go back to the cabin.”

Janelle ignored her.

Simone walked towards the door.

“What do you know?”

Janelle swallowed.

“We have what’s called the Executive Presentation Index.”

Marianne cracked, “This is exclusive service information.”

Simone looked at her.

“So I suggest you stop interrupting.”

Marianne’s mouth closed.

Janelle continued.

“The system assigns internal passenger categories beyond the normal frequent flyer status.”

“On what basis?”

“Enterprise value. Spending patterns. Executive relationships.”

“That seems legal.”

Janelle lowered her eyes.

“There is another part.”

Simone waited.

“Picture booth.”

Captain Cole frowned.

“What does that mean?”