That isn't an answer. It is the only answer I can give you. She pointed toward his seat belt. Please fasten it.
Richard clicked the buckle. Dana turned away. Clare joined her near the front. Do you want me to document everything now?
Clare asked quietly. Yes, keep it factual. Seat assignments, claims raised, what was verified, witnesses, and the instructions given. Clare nodded.
What about Marcus? Only what he actually witnessed. Neither woman noticed Richard watching them. He could not hear every word, but he saw Clare glance toward Marcus.
Richard's jaw tightened. A minute earlier, he had still been fighting for the seat. Now the seat was gone. That argument was over.
But something else had taken its place. Richard looked around and caught a passenger quickly turning away. His embarrassment deepened. He no longer seemed concerned with sitting closer to the front.
He seemed concerned with what everyone now believed about him. And as the cabin prepared for departure, that new concern was about to become far more dangerous to his place on the flight than the original seat dispute had ever been.
Richard remained in his assigned seat while the last few passengers settled around him. The original argument was over. Evelyn had kept her seat. Clare had checked the facts.
Dana had given Richard a clear instruction to remain where he was. Yet Richard kept looking toward the front. Marcus was seated several rows ahead of him, quietly placing his phone into the seat pocket. Richard watched him for a few seconds.
Then he called out, "Mr. Reed," Marcus turned. Richard leaned slightly into the aisle. "You seem very comfortable involving yourself in other people's business." Marcus studied him. "I told the crew what I witnessed.
You did more than that. How? You stood up in front of everyone and made it look like I was lying." Marcus remained calm. I corrected something I personally heard.
Richard gave a short laugh. You speak like you're taking testimony. Marcus did not respond. Richard continued, "What are you anyway?
Her son? Her lawyer?" Evelyn heard him from the front. She turned in her seat. I had never met that man before today.
Richard looked toward her. I wasn't asking you. Evelyn's expression hardened. But you were talking about me.
Dana immediately stepped closer. Mr. Hail, the conversation with Mrs. Brooks is finished. Richard lifted his hands. I'm sitting in my seat.
And you are restarting the same dispute from it. Richard looked back at Marcus. I asked him a question. Marcus paused before answering.
No, I'm not related to Mrs. Brooks. Then why are you so invested? I'm not invested in the seat. Richard stared at him.
You keep saying that because you keep asking. Richard leaned back. What do you do for a living? Marcus's expression changed slightly.
Clare standing nearby looked toward him. Marcus could have refused. Instead, he answered, "I'm an attorney." Richard gave a humorless smile. "There it is." Marcus frowned.
"There, what is? What kind? My work includes civil rights and passenger access cases." Richard immediately looked at Dana. And now everything makes sense.
Dana's expression remained neutral. What makes sense? He's a civil rights lawyer. He saw an older black woman arguing with a white passenger and decided what happened before he knew anything.
Marcus' voice stayed level. No. Richard looked at him. You expect me to believe your profession had nothing to do with this?