Keller reached for his portable radio clipped to his shoulder eplet, then let go without depressing the trigger. "People

like you walk in here wearing expensive clothes and expect everyone to just play along with whatever fantasy you're

acting out."

The words hung heavy and abrasive in the thick Houston air.

Renee tilted her head slightly, her gaze piercing. "Define 'people like you'."

Keller's face flushed a mottled red. "Don't start playing that game with me."

"I didn't start anything, Officer. You did."

Inside the climate-controlled terminal building, the airport station manager stood directly behind the floor-to-ceiling

glass doors, watching the unfolding confrontation with one hand resting casually on his smartphone. He was close

enough to read their lips and far enough away to maintain plausible deniability. Elias wondered grimly how many

times that manager had watched patrons humiliated on the tarmac and dismissed it as standard customer service.

Keller turned his attention back to Elias, his patience entirely evaporated. "Show me real identification right now."

Elias slowly slid his hand toward his interior jacket pocket. Keller instantly dropped his hand down toward his

handcuffs, his muscles coiling.

"Slow," Keller barked.

"I am moving deliberately and slowly."

"One sudden movement and I'll slap cuffs on both of you for trespassing."

"Trespassing under what legal premise?" Renee demanded.

"Unauthorized access to a restricted aviation apron," Keller lied without hesitation.

"We are ticketed, confirmed passengers holding valid operational contracts," Renee stated clearly.

"No," Keller sneered, shaking his head. "You're trespassers who slipped past a distracted receptionist."

Hearing the escalating shouting, the captain finally walked a few steps forward from the stairs. "Officer Keller,

perhaps it would be best if these individuals waited inside the VIP lounge while we sort out the paperwork."

The captain's voice was polished and smooth, but his eyes were darting nervously across the tarmac.

Elias turned his full, unblinking gaze onto the pilot. "Captain, let me ask you a direct question: is this aircraft currently

under a federal grounding order?"

The captain froze mid-step, his face draining of color.