Susan turned to William. "We need an immediate administrative separation between Nathan and the evidence. He should not supervise witnesses or control relevant systems while this is examined."
William looked at Alicia. "Can we do that today?"
"We can place him on paid administrative leave under existing policy, restrict system access, and preserve company devices," Alicia said. "Any final employment decision requires a fair review and the appropriate corporate process."
Nathan pushed his chair backward. "You cannot be serious. I have spent thirty years building this airline."
"And we intend to examine what you built," Susan replied.
William's expression had hardened. "Nathan, effective immediately you are relieved of operational authority pending an independent investigation. Please leave company devices with IT and contact outside counsel if you wish. Human resources will provide the written notice and process."
Nathan stared at him. "You're handing the company to Brooks because he's holding money over your head."
Ethan answered before William could. "No. I'm asking the company to look at what it did to a passenger. You can blame my financing for making the board pay attention, but it didn't create the behavior."
Nathan looked at Clare with something close to contempt. "I hope you're satisfied," he said.
Her shoulders tightened, but she did not apologize for telling the truth. Priya immediately recorded the comment. It would matter later when investigators asked whether employees were reasonably afraid of retaliation.
As security escorted Nathan from the room, his phone began ringing. The old network had been alerted: executives who owed him favors, friends with consultancy contracts, managers who feared what an independent review might uncover. Nathan had been exceptionally good at managing problems when the relevant information remained inside his own department. Now his access to that department was being restricted while the board was still in session.
After the door closed, Clare sat with both hands flat on the table and stared at the space he had occupied. She had spent twenty-two years being evaluated by people whose approval determined the quality of her life outside work. For the first time, one of those people was not in the room, and she found that the absence did not make her feel free. It made her feel responsible.
Ethan turned toward William. "What happens to Clare now?"
"Human resources will review her conduct," William said. "The airline cannot ignore what she did."
"Agreed," Ethan replied. "And she should not be punished for providing an accurate account of what her supervisor instructed. Both things can be true."
Clare looked up, startled. She had expected the investor she harmed to demand her immediate firing. Instead he was asking for a process that would protect the integrity of her testimony without erasing her responsibility. It was a more demanding kind of fairness than simple forgiveness. She found herself unable to speak.
Priya nodded. "We can assign independent reporting contacts and place her on non-retaliatory leave while the review proceeds. She will have union representation available, and we will separate her participation as a witness from decisions about her own conduct."