Rachel immediately called the airline's operations desk.

"Hi. I need verification on Flight 728."

She gave the confirmation number.

The response came quickly.

"That's impossible."

Rachel frowned.

"What?"

"The reservation is active."

"But the gate system says inactive."

"What's the passenger's name?"

Rachel looked at Evelyn.

"Evelyn Carter."

Silence.

Then:

"Wait."

Rachel waited.

A few seconds later, the operations agent spoke again.

"Rachel, do not process this passenger through normal procedures."

"Why?"

"Because she is a corporate principal."

Rachel's face went pale.

"What does that mean?"

"She's authorized for executive access."

Rachel looked at Evelyn.

"Is she the woman from the board?"

"Yes."

Rachel closed her eyes.

"Understood."

She ended the call.

Brandon was standing nearby.

"What did they say?"

Rachel looked at him.

"Her reservation is valid."

"But the scanner—"

"The scanner was wrong."

Brandon's face reddened.

Rachel turned toward Evelyn.

"I apologize."

Evelyn nodded.

"Thank you."

"We can board you immediately."

Evelyn looked toward the aircraft.

Then at her watch.

She had plenty of time.

But she didn't move.

Rachel noticed.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"Then?"

Evelyn looked at Brandon.

"Why did he refuse to scan it again?"

Rachel didn't answer.

Evelyn continued.

"He could have called someone."

"Yes."

"He could have checked manually."

"Yes."

"He could have asked me to wait."

"Yes."

"Instead, he decided I wasn't telling the truth."

Brandon looked uncomfortable.

"I didn't say you were lying."

"You didn't have to."

Evelyn's voice remained calm.

"Your behavior said it."

Brandon looked down.

"I'm sorry."

Evelyn studied him.

"Do you know what my concern is?"

"No."

"Tomorrow, another passenger will have a problem."

"Maybe their ticket won't scan."

"Maybe the system will be wrong."

"Maybe they'll be nervous."

"Maybe they'll be elderly."

"Maybe they won't speak English well."

She paused.

"What happens if the next employee does what you did?"

Brandon had no answer.

Evelyn finally stepped toward the gate.

But she stopped again.

"Rachel?"

"Yes?"

"I'd like to meet your station manager."

Rachel nodded.

"Of course."

The station manager arrived fifteen minutes later.