Thomas led Elena and Rebecca to a quiet corner near the gate entrance.
“Ms. Carter,” he said, “I’m very sorry your boarding experience has been unpleasant.”
Elena looked at him.
“Mr. Bell, being insulted because of my race and ordered out of a seat I legitimately purchased is more than unpleasant.”
He nodded.
“You’re right. I apologize for that wording.”
Rebecca showed him the recording on her phone.
The audio was clear.
Dana’s remarks about Elena’s hands.
Her appearance.
Where she belonged.
And the threat to have security remove her.
Thomas watched without interrupting.
When it ended, he lowered the tablet he’d been holding.
“Ms. Lin, would you be willing to share the original file through our customer-relations investigation process?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
He turned toward Elena.
“I’m going to escalate this to our inflight management team immediately.”
Elena nodded.
“Please do.”
Thomas began entering notes on his tablet.
Then he glanced at his screen again.
Something caught his attention.
He looked up.
“Ms. Carter?”
“Yes?”
“Would you mind confirming your full name?”
“Elena Marie Carter.”
His fingers stopped moving.
