Zara shook her head and explained that she’d kept her burgundy travel bag beside her throughout boarding. Security carefully examined the suspicious device and discovered that it had been connected to an unauthorized communications system. Investigators suspected someone had used the aircraft’s internal network to access confidential corporate information. Marcus recognized the seriousness of the discovery. His company had recently uncovered suspicious financial transfers involving several airline suppliers, and the missing documents could expose the people responsible.

Richard insisted he was only traveling for a business meeting and knew nothing about the device. However, investigators discovered that his company had received several confidential documents shortly before suspicious payments were authorized. Marcus requested an independent investigation and instructed the captain to keep the aircraft grounded until security completed its checks. Then a security officer approached with a tablet. “Mr. Coleman, we’ve identified the employee account that accessed your daughter’s reservation.” Marcus studied the name and immediately recognized it.