Chapter 3 - DIVERT
Daniel disappeared into the cockpit.
Seconds later the seat belt sign chimed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain. We are diverting to Denver due to a mechanical indication. Cabin crew, prepare the cabin."
Erin moved fast now, training replacing fear.
Victor grabbed her wrist as she passed.
"I need a private phone line when we land."
"Take your hand off me."
"You work for my company."
Maya stood.
"She said let go."
Victor released Erin and pointed at Maya. "You think a badge protects you?"
"No," Maya said. "Evidence does."
She pulled out her phone and photographed the wing.
Victor's face changed.
"Delete that."
"Why?"
"Because you are causing panic."
"Nobody was panicking until you started hitting people."
The aircraft banked left. A hard vibration traveled through the floor.
Maya braced a hand on the seatback.
Erin saw it then: not fear in Maya's face, but calculation.
"What is it?" Erin asked.
"If they lose the remaining pressure in that system, landing gets complicated."
Victor pulled out his phone despite the crew instructions.
Maya saw the screen before he turned away.
One text message was visible.
DO NOT LET HER ACCESS THE LOGS.
Maya's eyes met his.
Victor locked the phone.
"Who sent that?" she asked.
He smiled again, but the smile had lost its polish.
"You should worry about the landing."
Maya sat down and tightened her belt.
May you like
Erin made a cabin announcement and watched phones disappear, seatbacks rise, and bravado drain out of faces. Victor alone seemed more offended than afraid. He complained that the diversion would make him miss a meeting in Denver. Maya stared at him. 'If the airplane decides to stop cooperating, your calendar won't matter.' The woman in 3C laughed once, nervously. Victor did not. His eyes kept returning to Maya's phone, and that frightened Erin more than his shouting had.
"I am," she said. "I'm also starting to worry about you."
