Chapter 2 - The RecordingThe flight attendant introduced herself as Rachel and asked everyone nearby to remain seated.
The woman in Row 11, who had called herself Victoria, suddenly seemed much smaller.
“I want to report harassment,” she demanded. “This family is accusing me of something outrageous.”
Rachel maintained her professional expression.
“Ma’am, please sit down while I clarify the situation.”
“I will not sit down! That girl is recording people without permission!”
Maya clutched the tablet.
I had never seen my daughter behave this way. She was usually shy, the kind of child who apologized when someone else bumped into her.
But now she stood beside me with her chin raised.
“I didn't record you on purpose,” she said. “I was taking a picture of my brother.”
Victoria's fingers tightened around the edge of the seat.
Rachel looked at me.
“Would you like to explain what's happening?”
“I'd like that woman kept away from my children until someone tells me why my daughter believes she knows her.”
Victoria let out a brittle laugh.
“This is absurd. I have a business meeting in Orlando.”
“Then you shouldn't mind showing your boarding pass,” Rachel replied.
For the first time, Victoria hesitated.
She reached into her designer handbag and pulled out a folded paper ticket.
Rachel scanned it with her handheld device.
Her eyebrows drew together.
“Your assigned seat is 28C.”
The cabin seemed to tilt beneath me.
“Excuse me?” I asked.
Rachel checked again.
“Your ticket does not assign you to Row 11.”
Victoria's mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“You told us there was a system glitch,” I said.
“I was told I could change seats!”
“By whom?” Rachel asked.
Victoria looked toward the back of the plane.
For just one second, her eyes met those of the smiling man three rows behind us.
His smile disappeared.
He slowly reached into his jacket.
Maya caught my wrist.
“Mom,” she whispered, “that's him.”
Rachel noticed the movement too.
“Sir, is there a problem?”
The man stood.
“None at all,” he said pleasantly. “I was just stretching.”
Then he lifted a small black object from his pocket.
My daughter started trembling.
Because it wasn't a phone.
It was a photograph.
A photograph of Leo.
May you like
And written across the bottom were three words.
TRANSFER BEFORE LANDING.
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