Chapter 4

Cynthia Reyes had a voice that could silence a boardroom, and she used it now, low and measured, as she stood in the corridor with Sadie and the tall man. His name was Marcus Hale, and he was the chairman of the airline's board, a position he had held for a decade. He had been in a meeting about fleet expansion when Sadie's call came through, and he had walked out without a word, leaving a room full of executives staring at an empty chair.

"Ms. Okonkwo," Cynthia said, her tone respectful but probing. "What do you want us to do?"

Sadie looked at her, then at Marcus, then at the black leather tote strapped across her shoulder. "I want to board my flight," she said simply. "I want to get on that plane and go where I was going."

"That's it?" Marcus asked, a note of surprise in his voice.

"That's it," Sadie confirmed. "The rest will take care of itself."