In the cockpit, Captain Reynolds reviewed the flight plan. Twenty-eight years of flying. He was fifty-four, gray at the temples. He'd heard the commotion in the cabin but cockpit doors stayed locked. He checked the passenger manifest on his tablet.
Seat 1A, Marcus Hayes. Captain Reynolds's stomach dropped. Marcus Hayes, CEO of Hayes Global Holdings, the company that had acquired sixty-seven percent of Crown Atlantic Airlines six months ago. Reynolds touched his intercom. Derek, this is the captain. Can you come to the cockpit?
In business class, Derek Sullivan was already calling airport security. His radio crackled. Need passenger removal. Seat 4C. Aggressive behavior. Assaulted crew member. The captain's voice interrupted.