I stood in the First-Class aisle holding a boarding pass that clearly said 2A, the silver-haired man sitting in my window seat looked me over and said, / Chapter 4 / 20

Chapter 4 - Unscheduled DeparturesZara didn't answer him.

The four Port Authority officers stepped forward in unison. The lead officer laid a heavy, gloved hand on Richard’s shoulder.

“Sir. Step toward the exit now.”

Richard looked at the officer’s hand, then at Cruz, and finally at the open jet bridge door. The sheer reality of his situation crushed his composure. His hands trembled as he reached up into the overhead bin, grabbed his designer garment bag, and pulled it down so fast it nearly hit him in the head.

“This is abuse of power!” Richard sputtered, his voice cracking as he was escorted down the aisle. “I will sue! I will sue this airline! I will sue every single person standing on this plane!”

“You are welcome to try, Mr. Bennett,” Director Cruz said coolly as the officers guided Richard past the galley. “Our legal department is currently headed by Coleman Global Counsel. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to review your filing.”

Richard was marched down the jet bridge, his polished shoes squeaking loudly against the carpet until the sound faded into the terminal distance.

The galley fell silent once more.

Director Cruz turned to Zara, taking a breath and adjusting his uniform jacket. “Miss Coleman, Seat 2A is clear. Our ground crew is currently re-securing the cargo manifest. We can have this flight airborne in twelve minutes if you still wish to travel tonight.”

Zara looked down the aisle at Seat 2A. The leather was clean, the window shade was pulled up, showing the bright tarmac lights outside.

She walked calmly down the aisle, set her burgundy bag on the footrest of 2A, and sat down. She adjusted the headrest, fastened her seat belt with a crisp click, and looked out the window.

Elizabeth Hart walked over, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She looked at the young girl with a mixture of profound relief and overwhelming respect.

“Can I get you anything to start, Miss Coleman?” Elizabeth asked softly. “Hot chocolate?”

Zara looked up and offered a faint, warm smile—the first real smile she had shown since stepping onto the plane.

“Hot chocolate would be lovely, Elizabeth. Thank you.”

Elizabeth bowed her head slightly. “Right away.”

Zara picked up her satellite phone, raising it to her ear once more. “Dad?”

“Are you in 2A, Z?”

“Yes.”

“Is the flight clear?”

“Yes.”

A gentle exhale sounded over the line from three thousand miles away. “Good. Have a safe flight to London. Uncle Thomas will meet you at Heathrow terminal five with the car.”