Chapter 8 - The Landing CommitteeFlight 217 landed six minutes early.
The moment the aircraft reached the gate, Adam unfastened his seat belt.
Dakota’s voice came over the speaker.
“Please remain seated until the seat-belt sign has been switched off.”
Adam sat back reluctantly.
Through the window, two airport security vehicles waited near the jet bridge.
Trinity saw them too.
“Are they here for you?”
Adam did not answer.
When the cabin door opened, a uniformed airport officer entered with two men in dark suits and a woman carrying a leather folder.
The woman introduced herself as Hawthorne’s chief legal officer.
“Mr. Gibson, please remain seated.”
Passengers turned to watch.
Adam stood anyway.
“This is unnecessary.”
“We have requested your cooperation in an internal financial investigation.”
“This is a personal dispute between me and my wife.”
The attorney’s expression did not change.
“Your wife did not submit false expense reports. You did.”
Adam pointed toward Dakota.
“She stole confidential documents.”
Dakota remained near the galley.
The attorney opened her folder.
“The initial documents were printed on a shared residential device and voluntarily provided. Our independent review confirmed the underlying records.”
Adam’s shoulders dropped.
An officer stepped forward.
“Mr. Gibson, the bank has also filed a report regarding a disputed signature connected to a secured loan. We need you to come with us to answer questions.”
“I’m not under arrest.”
“At this time, we are requesting an interview.”
Adam turned to Trinity.
“Call my lawyer.”
She remained seated.
“Which lawyer?”
“You have the number.”
“I deleted it.”
“What?”
Trinity picked up her handbag.
“I sent Dakota copies of every message you gave me, including the fake divorce papers.”
Adam stared at her.
“You did what?”
“You lied about my baby’s future. You lied about the store. You lied about everything.”
“I did this for you.”
“No. You did it for yourself.”
The officer asked Adam to hand over his company phone and laptop.
Adam’s voice rose.
“Dakota, tell them this is a misunderstanding.”
She looked at him across the cabin.
For nine years, she had rescued him from forgotten appointments, unpaid bills, family arguments, and professional mistakes. She had edited presentations at midnight and flown home early when he claimed to need her.
He still believed she would rescue him now.
“It isn’t a misunderstanding,” she said.
“Think about what you’re doing to us.”
“There is no ‘us’ left.”
Adam looked around the cabin, searching for support.
No one met his eyes.
He collected his jacket and followed the investigators into the jet bridge.
The passengers remained silent until he disappeared.
Then an elderly woman in seat 3C touched Dakota’s arm.
“My first husband lied like that,” she said quietly. “I wish I’d had your courage.”
Dakota swallowed the emotion rising in her throat.
“Thank you.”
Trinity waited until most passengers had left.
“I don’t expect forgiveness,” she said.
Dakota looked at her stomach.
“What will you do?”
“I’ll cooperate with the investigation. Then I’ll go home to my sister.”
“And the boutique?”
“I’ll sell what I can and return whatever money is left.”
Dakota nodded.
Trinity paused at the cabin door.
“He told me you were weak.”
Dakota looked toward the empty seat Adam had occupied.
“He needed both of us to believe that.”
Trinity left.
Dakota remained in the quiet cabin, surrounded by empty champagne glasses and folded blankets.
Melissa approached and wrapped her in a brief hug.
“It’s over.”
Dakota looked through the window as Adam was escorted into an airport office.
May you like
“No,” she said.
“It’s finally beginning.”
