Damon slowly extracted his first-class boarding pass: Chicago O'Hare to Tokyo Narita, departing 8:45 a.m., Seat 1A—a $12,000 ticket.
Nobody noticed the airline insignia or seat class. They saw only what they expected: more evidence.
"Probably printed that at FedEx Office," Derek sneered. "Identity theft 101."
Elena snatched the boarding pass, waving it triumphantly. "Look at this amateur hour! He's got fake documents to support the fake card. This is organized crime, people!"
She held both items high above her head like a referee announcing a knockout. The crowd's energy reached fever pitch. They were witnessing justice: evil being thwarted by vigilant hotel staff.
Jake's radio crackled again: "Unit 47, Detective Rodriguez en route. ETA six minutes."
"Perfect timing," Jennifer smiled coldly. "Sir, final offer: sign the confession, apologize to these innocent guests you've disturbed, and walk away. Detective Rodriguez has zero patience for credit card fraud."
The wall clock showed 7:02 p.m.—twenty-eight minutes until Damon's dinner meeting. At Luxury Lifestyle, Bree's viewer count peaked at 2,847. Her phone battery flashed red, but she kept filming; this content would define her career.
Elena held both the black card and boarding pass like trophies of war. "Should we check his wallet, too? Probably full of fake IDs and stolen credit cards."
"Great idea," Derek nodded enthusiastically. "Jake, search him for additional fraudulent materials."
Several guests pulled out their own phones, creating a semicircle of cameras. The young Black woman finally started recording, her hands shaking slightly.
But as Jake stepped forward, Damon finally moved. Not away, not in surrender. He pulled out his phone with deliberate slowness, his thumb hovering over a particular app. His smile returned, wider this time, carrying secrets that would shatter every assumption in that marble arena.
The storm had arrived.
Damon's thumb swiped across his phone screen with surgical precision. The American Express mobile app opened, displaying his account dashboard in crisp digital clarity.