Chapter 4 - The Scramble at JFK
Back at JFK Terminal Seven, the atmosphere in the security interview room had shifted from bureaucratic arrogance to sheer, unadulterated panic. The security supervisor’s radio crackled to life with frantic dispatcher chatter, followed by a direct call from the terminal station manager.
Steve Caldwell’s tablet buzzed incessantly. He pulled it up, his eyes widening as he read an urgent override message stamped directly from corporate headquarters: URGENT: LOCATE MS. CLARE IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT LET HER LEAVE. REINSTATE WITH MAXIMUM PRIORITY.
Linda Marlow, having just finished boarding the rest of Flight 909, walked into the interview room expecting to hear that the troublesome passenger had been processed for a ban. Instead, she found Steve staring blankly at his tablet, and Amelia calmly typing away on her laptop, sipping a bottle of water that security had nervously provided.
"Ms... Ms. Clare," Steve stammered, his authoritative posture completely collapsed. "There’s been... a massive administrative error."
Amelia didn’t look up from her screen. "Is that what we're calling institutional profiling and arbitrary contract termination today?"
"Corporate just contacted us," Steve said, wiping sweat from his brow. "The CEO himself. They want to escort you back onto the plane immediately. First class. We’ve already had the other passenger moved."
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Amelia finally closed her laptop with a sharp snap that echoed in the quiet room. She stood up, adjusting her charcoal cashmere hoodie. "Tell me, Mr. Caldwell—does Northstar’s corporate office know that your flight crew and ground staff classify a $4.2 billion financial life raft as a 'disruptive passenger' because of what she wears?"
Before Steve or Linda could scramble for an apology, Amelia’s phone rang again. It was Richard Vance himself, calling directly. She let it ring twice before answering, her voice dripping with executive frost. "Mr. Vance. I understand your airline has some logistical issues to discuss."
