Aaron’s voice remained quiet.
“You laughed at me.”
Craig looked down.
“You told your coworkers I couldn’t afford an aircraft.”
Silence.
“You fabricated a rule.”
Silence.
“You called security.”
Craig swallowed.
“You stood between me and a showroom I had an appointment to enter.”
Aaron paused.
“And when another man walked through that door wearing a suit, you tried to shake his hand before you even knew his name.”
Craig’s face tightened.
Aaron continued:
“That is not a misunderstanding.”
Philip had followed them into the lobby.
Beside him stood Nathan Cole, Summit Air’s regional manager.
Nathan looked at Craig.
“Credential.”
Craig stared.
“Excuse me?”
“Your sales credential.”
“Nathan—”
“Now.”
Craig reached into his jacket.
Removed his Summit ID.
Placed it on the glass counter.
Nathan picked it up.
“You are suspended immediately pending formal investigation.”
Craig’s face reddened.
“Over this?”
Nathan looked at him.
“Do you understand the problem with asking that question?”
“I’ve been top sales three years.”
“No one asked.”
“I have brought millions into this company.”
Philip spoke.
“And today you may have cost us sixty-two million.”
Craig looked toward Aaron.
Aaron felt no pleasure.
That surprised him.
He had imagined, at some earlier point in his life, that watching someone discover the consequences of prejudice might feel satisfying.
It did not.
It felt wasteful.
Craig could have treated him like a customer.
Everybody could have gone home.
Craig shook his head.
“This is insane.”
Nathan pointed toward the rear offices.
“Collect your personal belongings. Corporate security will escort you out.”
Craig looked at Garrett.
Garrett avoided his eyes.
Receptionist.
She looked at the monitor.
Nobody defended him.
Craig walked away.
The showroom remained silent until the office door closed behind him.
Philip turned to Aaron.
“Mr. Brooks.”
Aaron looked at him.
“I am not going to insult you by pretending what happened here can be fixed with a complimentary upgrade or some kind of sales gesture.”
“Good.”
“I would like the opportunity to make sure the aircraft transaction itself is handled professionally.”
Aaron looked toward the G280 beyond the archway.
“I’m still buying.”
Philip looked surprised.
“But not here.”
“I understand.”
“Not through anybody who participated in this morning.”
“Understood.”
“Dallas office.”
Philip nodded.
“I’ll oversee it.”
Aaron extended his hand.
Philip took it.
Firm.
Brief.
Nothing more needed.
Outside, Aaron climbed back into the F-250.
The cab smelled like diesel, worn leather, and yesterday’s coffee.
He closed the door.
For the first time since walking into Summit Air, there was no one watching him.
His hands rested on the steering wheel.
He sat there for almost a minute.
Then called Denise.
“How’d it go?”
Aaron stared through the windshield.
“You were right.”
Silence.
“That bad?”
“I should’ve worn the suit.”
Denise laughed.