“I'll document the condition, not interpret anyone's intentions,” he said. “Those are separate questions.”
Claire appreciated the distinction. She had learned that the fastest way to weaken a strong case was to claim more than the evidence proved.
Victor put on gloves and asked Claire to lift the sleeve by its reinforced edge. Under the camera's steady light, he photographed the torn adhesive, the serial number, and a faint diagonal crease crossing the lower flap.
“This tear is fresh,” he said. “The adhesive transfer is still exposed. We can compare it with the gate footage.”
Casey scoffed from the aisle. “Are you seriously conducting a crime show over an envelope?”
“No,” Victor answered. “I'm preserving evidence in a contract dispute. You're welcome to stop providing commentary.”
A passenger in Row 2 coughed to conceal a laugh. Casey's cheeks darkened.
Victor examined the opening without pulling the contents free. “The signature pages appear present. I won't certify completeness until we inspect them in a controlled room.”
Naomi joined by video call on Elena's tablet. Behind her stood a wall of glass overlooking downtown Dallas.
“Victor, can we authenticate the original before the board convenes?” she asked.
“With a secure room and the reference scans, yes. But the aircraft needs to remain at the gate until we finish the transfer record.”
Mercer looked at the cockpit clock. “I have passengers who have already lost forty minutes.”
“I understand,” Naomi said. “We'll arrange an alternate custodian if necessary.”
Claire shook her head. “I will accompany the document. The meeting can receive me remotely.”
Casey seized on the opening. “Wonderful. She can get off, and we can finally leave.”
“Not quite,” Elena said. “The station manager needs your account first.”
“I'm not under arrest.”
“No one said you were.”
Casey reached for her bag. “Then I'm going to the lounge.”
The security officer stepped aside to let her pass. Elena followed, explaining that Northstar's corporate compliance office had requested an interview, not detention. Casey moved down the jet bridge with her shoulders rigid, refusing to look back.
Claire watched until she disappeared. Then she turned to Riley.
“Please make sure the passengers understand this delay isn't caused by someone refusing to surrender a seat.”
Riley swallowed. “I'll make an announcement.”
Her voice sounded different over the cabin speaker, stripped of its earlier certainty. She apologized for the delay and confirmed that the seat assignment had been valid throughout. She did not identify Claire or disclose the contract dispute.
The announcement mattered. People who had witnessed Casey's accusations were now hearing a correction from the same authority that had nearly enforced them.
Victor sealed the damaged sleeve inside a transparent evidence pouch. The barcode scanner gave a clean tone. Claire signed the custody log, followed by Mercer and Elena.
As the examiner closed his case, Naomi sent a new message: PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR JUST REQUESTED AN EMERGENCY CALL. CASEY'S NAME IS ON THE DISTRIBUTION LIST.
Claire looked at the time. The board vote was seventy minutes away.
Someone was running out of room to maneuver.
The airport's operations suite smelled of burnt coffee and printer toner. Claire sat at a conference table while Victor arranged the sealed sleeve beneath a fixed overhead camera. Naomi appeared on a large monitor, accompanied by two members of the independent audit committee.