Isaac frowned.
The woman had reached the aircraft through an authorized access route.
She was accompanied to the operating area by ground personnel.
And she appeared to be holding legitimate boarding documents.
Isaac approached cautiously.
“Is there a problem?”
Vanessa turned sharply.
“Stay out of this, Isaac.”
He looked toward the woman.
“Ma’am, are you scheduled for this aircraft?”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
Vanessa laughed.
“She claims she is.”
Isaac looked toward the papers.
“Have you checked the authorization?”
“I don’t need to.”
He hesitated.
“But if she has valid documents—”
Vanessa interrupted.
“Isaac, go back to your maintenance work.”
Arielle watched the exchange.
She noticed that Isaac appeared uncomfortable.
But she also noticed that he was trying to verify the situation rather than making assumptions.
She turned toward him.
“Would you please contact the captain?”
Isaac nodded.
“Of course.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“You’re not calling anyone.”
Isaac looked at her.
“Vanessa, if there’s a boarding dispute, the flight crew needs to know.”
For a moment, she seemed ready to argue.
Then she looked toward the open aircraft door.
Her expression changed.
Because the captain had already heard the raised voices.
And she was coming down the stairs.
Chapter 6: The Captain Who Asked for the Manifest
Captain Evelyn Shaw was forty-eight.
She had flown business jets for more than twenty years.
She was known for being calm, precise, and unwilling to compromise aviation safety for convenience.
She stepped onto the boarding stairs and looked toward the group.
“What’s happening?”
Vanessa answered immediately.
“We have an unauthorized person trying to board.”
Arielle remained quiet.
Evelyn looked toward her.
“Ma’am, do you have an authorization?”
“Yes.”
She gestured toward the papers on the ground.
“Your cabin attendant knocked them out of my hand.”
