Daniel Whitmore had a problem.
A serious one.
Richard Hale was not an ordinary employee.
He had worked for Sterling Airways for twenty-two years and had developed a reputation for solving operational problems quickly.
He was also close to the company's current chief executive officer, Adrian Cross.
The two men had worked together on a restructuring project that had saved the airline millions of dollars.
At least, that was the official story.
Daniel knew that the restructuring had created serious disagreements among employees.
Airport workers complained about impossible staffing targets.
Customer service representatives were encouraged to close complaints quickly.
Supervisors were instructed to prioritize premium customers, but the definition of a premium customer had become increasingly vague.
Some employees had started using personal appearance, clothing, accents, and perceived social status to decide which passengers deserved additional attention.
Daniel had heard rumors.
He had never investigated them properly.
Now those rumors were sitting in front of him in the form of a former executive holding a destroyed boarding pass.
"Daniel," Miss Riley said.
He looked up.
"Yes?"
"How long have you known about these complaints?"
He shifted in his chair.
"I've heard isolated concerns."
"How many?"
"I couldn't give you an exact number."
"Did you report them?"
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
"Some were handled through normal management channels."
"That wasn't my question."
He swallowed.
"No. I didn't submit a formal report."
Miss Riley nodded slowly.
"Why?"
Daniel glanced toward the glass wall.
"Because I didn't have enough evidence."
"Did you request evidence?"
He did not answer.
"Did you interview the employees?"
"No."
"Did you review the complaint records?"
"Not personally."
"Then what did you have?"
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"Rumors."
Miss Riley folded her hands.
"Rumors are not proof, Daniel. But they are often a reason to investigate."
"I understand."
"Do you?"
The question was gentle, but it carried considerable weight.
Daniel had once respected Evelyn Riley more than anyone else in the company.
During his early years, she had taught him that leadership meant taking responsibility before someone else demanded it.
He remembered one particular meeting.
A passenger had missed an international connection because an airport employee had entered incorrect information.
The employee had been frightened of losing her job.
Instead of blaming her, Evelyn had investigated the training system and discovered that several staff members had been using outdated procedures.
She had corrected the process rather than sacrificing one worker.
Daniel remembered her words.
"An organization reveals its character through the way it treats people who cannot punish it."
He looked at the woman across from him.
She had not changed.
He had.
"Miss Riley, I should have acted sooner."
"Yes."
"I apologize."
"I appreciate that. But an apology is not an investigation."
Daniel nodded.
Marcus received a message on his phone.
He read it and looked up.
"Mr. Whitmore, I have an update."
"What is it?"
"The three other passengers have been identified. One filed a complaint last month. Another requested a refund after being denied an upgrade they had already purchased. The third never filed anything."
"Why not?"
"According to the notes, she was told that making a complaint could delay her future reservations."
Daniel stared at him.
"Who told her that?"
Marcus hesitated.
"The employee's name is Richard Hale."
The room became silent.
Miss Riley slowly turned toward Daniel.
"Now we have something more than a technical problem."
Daniel stood.
"I'll contact the executive office."
"Not yet," Evelyn said.
He stopped.
"Why?"
"Because if Richard is involved, he may know that we're reviewing the records. I want the evidence preserved before anyone has an opportunity to alter it."
Marcus nodded.
"That's correct."
Miss Riley continued.
"Please make copies of the relevant logs, secure the camera footage, and identify every employee account that accessed these reservations."
Daniel looked at her.
"You're directing this investigation?"
"No. I'm asking you to do your job."
He sat down again.
For a moment, he looked almost relieved.
Then his phone rang.
The name on the screen was Adrian Cross.
Daniel stared at it.
Miss Riley noticed.
"Answer it."
Daniel hesitated.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He pressed the button.
"Good afternoon, Adrian."
The CEO's voice came through immediately.
"Daniel, what on earth is happening at Gate 42?"
Daniel looked at Miss Riley.
"There's been an incident involving Evelyn Riley."
A long silence followed.
Then Adrian asked one question.
"Is she still there?"
"Yes."
Another silence.
Then the CEO spoke in a much lower voice.
"Don't let her leave until I arrive."
Miss Riley's expression changed.
Not fear.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
She knew that tone.
And she knew Adrian Cross was not coming to apologize.