David glanced at Samuel. "That sounds like something you used to tell students." Samuel smiled faintly.
"I told them lots of things. Sometimes I even followed my own advice." The others laughed, and for a moment the room felt less like a place where evidence was being gathered and more like a small gathering of people who had been through something difficult together. Maya let herself enjoy the quiet warmth before returning to the work ahead.
Denise brought an update about the crew. All members connected to the incident were being removed from duty pending interviews, not because a public video constituted proof of every allegation, but because the company had enough immediate evidence to justify preserving records and conducting a formal review. The captain's command decisions would be examined separately, along with the chain of information he received. The catering system would be checked to determine whether the meal had been correctly loaded and whether any service override had occurred. Maya listened carefully and asked for copies of the preservation notices.
"Ms. Harper, I also want the original report that Mr. Cole prepared before he knew corporate security was involved," she said. Denise nodded. "That version is already retained in the operations system."
Maya felt some of her tension ease. "Good. Please preserve the earlier form he asked me to sign as well." Denise looked up from her notes. "He tried to have you sign an acknowledgement?"
Maya explained the wording. Denise stopped writing for a second, then resumed with greater care.
At 12:41 a.m., Naomi sent word that Crestline's interim chairman was requesting a private meeting at the airline's Manhattan crisis office. Douglas Whitman was prepared to attend by video initially, but would come in person if necessary. He wanted the matter addressed before the morning contract announcement, which he believed was still unrelated to the passenger complaint. The wording of the request made Maya smile without amusement. He had no idea that the woman he wanted to settle with tonight was the same person whose signature he wanted to celebrate tomorrow.
Maya asked Lena whether she would be willing to attend as a witness. Lena considered her own schedule, then called a colleague to adjust her next morning's shift. "I can stay for the initial meeting," she said. "But if anyone wants to treat this as a legal interrogation, your lawyer needs to lead."
Maya nodded. "That's exactly what I want. I don't need you to be my lawyer. I need someone who saw what happened and knows what those symptoms meant."
Samuel volunteered to remain available by phone. His granddaughter had already arranged to collect him from the airport, and he had a great-granddaughter to meet. Margaret promised to preserve her original photographs, and David said he would speak with any independent investigator who requested his account. Before leaving, Samuel stopped beside Maya and put one hand gently over hers. "Don't give them your anger," he repeated.