PART 3:
The briefcase opened, and everyone instinctively leaned closer.
Inside were several folders, a black tablet, and a sealed envelope bearing the Carter Aviation Group logo.
Marcus Bennett stared at the envelope before looking at the stranger.
“Where did you get this?” he asked.
The man said nothing.
A security officer carefully removed the envelope and examined it.
My father’s signature appeared at the bottom, but it had been copied from an older corporate document.
Marcus understood at once.
“This is confidential company material,” he said. “You were never authorized to have any of this.”
The stranger finally lost his composure.
“You’re making a mistake.”
Marcus shook his head.
“No, sir. The mistake was thinking nobody would notice.”
The tablet was activated, revealing files related to an upcoming aircraft acquisition.
I watched from several steps away, barely understanding what was unfolding.
Dad’s voice came through my phone again.
“Ava, stay with Marcus and do exactly what he tells you.”
I nodded though he couldn’t see me.
“Dad, why was he carrying Carter Aviation documents?”
A long pause followed.
“Because someone inside my company has been leaking information.”
My stomach tightened.
“And you think he’s involved?”
Dad answered carefully.
“I think the evidence needs to be handled properly before anyone makes an accusation.”
That was how Dad always operated: calm, precise, never reckless.
The stranger suddenly looked at me.
“You knew about this?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
He lowered his voice.
“Then your father used you as bait.”
Marcus immediately stepped between us.
“Watch your words.”
The man looked away, realizing he had gone too far.
Marcus opened the final folder.
Inside was a photograph of a man standing beside one of Carter Aviation’s private hangars.
I recognized the building at once.
It was the hangar Dad had always forbidden me to enter without him.
Marcus studied the picture.
“This was taken yesterday.”
He turned the page and found a handwritten schedule.
One flight number was circled in red.
Ours.
Suddenly, the stranger taking my seat no longer seemed like simple arrogance.
Security officers escorted him toward the aircraft door.
Before leaving, he stopped and glanced back.
“You have no idea what your father is protecting.”
I didn’t answer.
I simply watched him disappear through the doorway while Marcus stayed beside me.
Minutes later, Dad called again.
“Ava, listen carefully,” he said. “The man they just removed from your flight was only the messenger.”
I looked at Marcus as another security officer hurried into the cabin carrying a second envelope.
“The person who sent him,” Dad continued, “is someone you’ve met before.”
The last hum from the engines faded, leaving the cabin eerily quiet.
Passengers whispered behind their hands while Marcus Bennett held the second envelope with visibly trembling fingers.
