Despite himself, Marcus smiled. Morrison continued.
“The clip is everywhere. Some people are furious at the gate agent. Some are defending her. A few commentators are already claiming you staged it because of tomorrow’s hearing.”
“Of course.”
“Meridian’s executive office has called five times.”
“Do not connect them to me.”
“I won’t.”
“They can talk to counsel.”
“Already happening.”
Marcus hesitated.
“What about tomorrow?”
“The committee chair wants you there.”
“I figured.”
“Can you get to Washington?”
Marcus looked at the time.
“There’s a late train.”
“We can put you on a government aircraft.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because tomorrow I’m testifying about commercial aviation and unequal treatment. Arriving in a government jet after a public discrimination incident is not the visual I want.”
Morrison laughed once.
“You’re impossible.”
“Train.”
“Fine. Train.”
The call ended. Marcus did not go directly to the station. He asked Malik to take him to the regional Department of Transportation office, where a secure room had been opened for him. Sarah Keene was already on video when he entered. So were General Counsel representatives, an ethics attorney, and two investigators from a separate enforcement unit.
On the wall monitor was a freeze-frame from Zoe’s livestream. Sandra’s hand held the passport mid-tear. Marcus stopped at the door. For the first time, seeing the moment from outside, he felt the humiliation in a different way.
His own face looked almost expressionless. Sandra looked triumphant. Behind them, several passengers were smiling. The smiles affected him more than the torn passport.
Sarah noticed.
“We can turn that off.”
“No.”
“You don’t need to stare at it.”
“I need to understand what happened.”
“You lived it.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
He sat. The ethics attorney, Marlene Cho, began.
“Marcus, because you are now a fact witness and potential complainant, you should not participate in decisions regarding any investigation, civil penalty, contracting consequence, or enforcement recommendation involving Meridian arising from tonight.”
“Agreed.”
“You may continue tomorrow’s congressional testimony on industry-wide data already prepared before this incident, provided you disclose the incident and your recusal if asked.”
“Good.”