"Not from the preserved incident copy," Laura said.
"And if another report says something different?"
Laura paused. "Then both records exist."
Maya looked at Grace. "That's why this matters."
Laura lowered the tablet. "Captain Shaw has also reviewed the update."
"Did she classify us as a security concern?" Maya asked.
"No."
"Did airline security?"
"Not that I have been informed."
Maya nodded. "Please leave that distinction clear."
Laura agreed and returned to the galley. Grace watched her go. "What happens if Mercer keeps adding things?"
"Then every addition has a time attached to it."
Grace looked toward first class. Mercer was still typing. "He really thinks paperwork will protect him."
Maya kept her eyes forward. "Paperwork protects the truth only when people record the truth."
At that moment, Mercer submitted another update and set his phone down. Cole looked at the confirmation screen, then at him. "You just requested police contact at the gate."
Mercer leaned back in his seat. "Yes."
Cole's voice dropped. "You're trying to make the arrival look like proof of the report."
Mercer turned toward the window. "I'm making sure the situation is handled."
Cole looked toward Maya and Grace again. They were still seated quietly. Nothing in the cabin supported the picture Mercer had created, but the report had already left the aircraft.
Laura returned to Maya and Grace after speaking with Captain Shaw. She held the tablet at chest level and kept her voice low enough that nearby passengers could not easily follow the conversation.
"The captain reviewed the additional report," she said.
Maya looked at her. "Did Captain Shaw classify either of us as a security threat?"
"No."
"Did airline security classify us that way?"
"Not according to anything I've received."
"Has any member of the crew reported threatening behavior from either of us?"
Laura shook her head. "No."
Maya nodded. "Then please make sure those answers remain attached to the flight record."
Laura looked at the screen. "The earlier entries already say there was no verbal threat, no physical threat, and no interference with crew duties."
"I know. I want the distinction to stay clear. Someone can file a concern. That does not mean the concern was confirmed."
Laura understood what Maya meant. "I'll add that the captain has not issued a security designation."
"And airline security?"
"No designation from them either."
"Add that, too."
Grace listened without interrupting until Laura finished entering the information. "Why does this need to be said so many different ways?" Grace asked.
Maya answered before Laura could. "Because words change meaning depending on where they appear. A police officer can say he has a concern. That doesn't make us a security threat."
Laura nodded. "That's correct."
Grace looked toward first class. "So if officers are waiting when we land, that still doesn't mean we did anything wrong?"
"No," Laura said. "It means someone requested follow-up."
Maya looked at Grace. "A request is not a finding."
Laura finished the entry and returned to the galley. Grace waited until she was gone, then leaned closer to Maya. "Should we call somebody?"
Maya looked at her. "Not yet."
"Why not?"
"Because facts don't need a powerful introduction."
Grace studied her. "That sounds very confident."
"It's practical."
"What if Mercer has people waiting for us?"
"Then we answer questions."
"What if they believe him first?"
"Then they still have to deal with the flight record."
Grace looked down at her purse where the folded boarding pass remained inside the front pocket. "You really think that will be enough?"
"I think it gives anyone reviewing this a place to start that Mercer didn't write."
A flight attendant came through with beverage service. Grace asked for black coffee. When the cup arrived, she wrapped both hands around it but did not drink.
Maya noticed. "You don't have to finish it."
Grace gave her a brief look. "I'm not worried about wasting airline coffee." Maya almost smiled. Grace lowered her voice again. "I just don't like knowing someone can put your name into a system because you told him no."
"That's why we keep separating what he says from what actually happened."
Grace looked toward the front. "You sound like you've done this before."
Maya kept her expression neutral. "I know how records work." That was all she offered.
Mercer came down the aisle a few minutes later. He slowed when he reached their row and heard the end of the conversation. Grace was saying, "You still don't want to call anyone?"
"No," Maya replied.
Mercer stopped beside them. "Probably a good decision."
Maya looked up. "Were you part of this conversation?"
"No, but if you're thinking about escalating this after landing, I'd advise against it."
Maya held his gaze. "Is that another official warning?"
Mercer's expression tightened slightly. "I'm giving you practical advice."
"Then I'll treat it as advice."
"You seem to think having a few notes in a flight log gives you some kind of protection."
"It gives everyone a record."
"That's not the same thing."
"No, it's better than relying on whoever talks the loudest afterward."
Mercer glanced at Grace. "You two could have avoided all of this by moving when you were asked."
Grace set the untouched coffee on the tray table. "We did move."
"You know what I mean."
Maya answered. "You mean we could have moved before anyone documented why?"
Mercer did not respond.
Maya continued. "That would have been easier for you."
His eyes hardened. "You're very comfortable questioning police procedure."
"I'm questioning what happened on this flight."
"You know enough legal language to make everything sound more serious than it is."
Maya remained calm. "I'm not the one who introduced aviation security, no-fly consequences, or police contact at the destination."