The operations supervisor explained that someone had attempted to change Zara’s reservation before boarding. Richard’s ticket originally assigned him to another seat, but an unauthorized executive code had been used to associate his booking with hers. Richard insisted he knew nothing about it, claiming his assistant had arranged everything through a corporate contact named Julian Croft. Zara’s father, Marcus Coleman, arrived shortly afterward. He was the chairman of the company that had recently acquired the airline.

Marcus immediately requested the original reservation records. The investigation revealed that similar unauthorized changes had occurred on several international flights. Richard suddenly became nervous when Marcus mentioned Julian’s name. Before anyone could question him further, an airport security specialist discovered an unfamiliar electronic device hidden near the aircraft’s service panel. It appeared to be transmitting confidential information. Marcus looked at his daughter and quietly asked, “Zara, did anyone touch your luggage?”