"What's going on, ma'am?"
Maya remained calm.
"Apparently, my sweatshirt is causing a security problem."
James frowned.
"Is that true?"
Lauren interrupted.
"She has been disrespectful and refuses to follow crew instructions."
Maya slowly looked at James.
"Ask her which instruction I refused to follow."
James hesitated.
He had worked with Lauren long enough to know that she disliked being questioned in front of other employees.
But he also knew that removing a passenger from an aircraft was not a decision to make casually.
"Lauren, did she refuse a safety instruction?"
Lauren's face tightened.
"That's not the point."
"It is the point if we're talking about removing someone."
A few passengers exchanged glances.
Maya looked toward the window.
She had no desire to turn the cabin into a public argument.
She had boarded Flight 728 for a reason, and the longer the confrontation continued, the less likely she was to complete her assignment quietly.
But Lauren was not finished.
"Ma'am, I'm giving you one final opportunity. Stand up and come with me."
Maya looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because I am the senior crew member on this flight."
"That tells me your position. It doesn't explain your request."
Lauren's voice became sharper.
"You're making a scene."
Maya glanced around the cabin.
"Actually, I was sitting quietly until you came over."
The man across the aisle finally spoke.
"She's right. I haven't seen her do anything."
Lauren turned toward him.
"Sir, please stay out of this."
He raised his hands.
"All right. I'm just saying what I saw."
Maya took a slow breath.
"Ms. Henderson, I would like to speak with the captain."
Lauren looked surprised.
"Why?"
"Because this conversation is no longer productive."
"The captain is busy preparing for departure."
"Then I'll wait."
Lauren glanced at her watch.
"We don't have time for this."
Maya nodded.
"Neither do I."
For a moment, neither woman moved.
Then Lauren pointed toward the aisle.
"Stand up, please."
Maya finally unfastened her seat belt.
She placed both feet on the floor and rose slowly.
She was not especially tall, but she stood with an unmistakable confidence.
Lauren took a small step backward.
"Come with me."
Maya did not move.
"Before I go anywhere, I want you to tell me the official reason for removing me."
Lauren opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
She could not give a clear answer.
Maya reached into the inside pocket of her hoodie.
Lauren immediately stiffened.
"Don't reach into your bag."
Maya stopped.
"My hand is inside my jacket."
"Please keep your hands visible."
Maya slowly withdrew a small black identification wallet and held it between two fingers.
"Then perhaps you should look at this."
Lauren stared at it.
James stepped closer.
"What's that?"
Maya opened the wallet.
Inside was a federal identification card bearing her photograph, official credentials, and the seal of the United States Department of Transportation.
The name read:
MAYA REED β AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT INVESTIGATOR.
Lauren's face changed.
James leaned forward to read the card.
Rebecca covered her mouth.
The passengers who had been watching the argument suddenly became very quiet.
Maya closed the wallet.
"My name is Maya Reed. I'm conducting an authorized inspection of Atlantic Crown Airways' passenger treatment and cabin safety procedures."
Lauren stared at her.
"You're an inspector?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Maya's expression remained composed.