The aircraft shook through thick clouds over Chicago.
Chicago’s gray urban grid emerged below. Darla watched the skyscrapers approach as her elite status seemed to evaporate.
The heavy tires made contact with the runway with a muffled thud and a burst of reverse thrust. Evan adjusted his silk tie, smoothed the front of his charcoal suit, and calmly retrieved his phone.
As soon as the aircraft left the runway, phones began chiming throughout the cabin in rapid succession. Evan switched off his airplane mode and watched a dozen high-priority notifications at once flood his screen.
One was from the head of security at Whitmore Logistics, reporting that the board had gathered early. Another was from his legal counsel, confirming that the emergency injunction had been signed by the federal magistrate.
Darla turned on her phone as well, her screen instantly lighting up with missed calls from acquaintances. The short video
