TSA Agent Accuses Black Woman of Smuggling — Then Discovers She Runs Customs...
Chapter 10
Theme:
Font Size:
24px
The head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. That position held immense influence over airport security policies, inter-agency operations, and more. The synergy between TSA and CBP was critical. If Harriet Brown was indeed that high-ranking an official, they were in deep trouble.Leighton sighed, massaging her temples. "Apparently, Ms. Brown was in Atlanta for a series of confidential meetings. She was traveling incognito, hoping to observe standard security protocols firsthand. And now, thanks to that fiasco at the checkpoint, we may be facing a formal complaint for unlawful profiling or harassment. She's well within her rights to raise an official stink."Grant felt a buzzing in his ears. He remembered Harriet's calm, unwavering composure; now it made sense. She was used to command, used to dealing with tense situations at the highest levels. He also recalled how Cain had waved those packets in her face in front of a crowd as though sure she was a criminal. Guilt and fear battled in his chest."What's going to happen?" he managed to ask.Leighton shrugged, clearly at a loss. "We don't know yet. Ms. Brown has apparently left the airport for now. Word is she might be returning this evening, but not for a flight—possibly to meet with TSA leadership. If that happens, I expect heads will roll. We need to handle this carefully."A heaviness settled in the room. Grant understood that Harriet Brown, as head of CBP, held enough sway to demand serious consequences for any TSA agent who violated protocol or engaged in discriminatory behavior. If she wanted to make an example out of Cain or the entire Atlanta TSA workforce, she had the clout to do it.Leighton's expression softened slightly. "Grant, I know you've had your suspicions about Ms. Brown since this morning, but we have to be very careful. If it looks like you profiled her, especially on grounds of race, it could cost you your job and tarnish the agency's reputation. And I'm sure you're aware that racial profiling complaints can lead to lawsuits."Grant nodded numbly. The possibility that Harriet Brown might interpret the entire chain of events as racially motivated was a terrifying prospect. But was it racial profiling, or just overzealous suspicion? He tried to rationalize, recalling the subtle triggers that fueled his watchfulness: Harriet's calm demeanor, her conversation with the pilot, the security footage on her phone. He told himself it had nothing to do with her being Black. But would Harriet or anyone else believe that?