Desmond leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped. The vintage Patek Philippe slipped down his wrist, catching the terminal lights.
"That is precisely the issue, Mr. Montgomery," Desmond said, his voice a low, terrifyingly calm rumble. "You didn't know who I was. And because you believed I was a nobody, you felt entirely justified in treating me like dirt beneath your expensive shoes. You don't respect people, Preston. You only respect power. And you severely miscalculated who held it."
"I apologize," Preston stammered, taking a desperate step forward. "I was out of line. I was stressed about the merger in London. I took it out on you. It was wrong. Please. My father just called me. He told me about the mezzanine debt your firm holds on our Hudson Yards properties. If you call in those loans, Montgomery Holdings is finished. My family is finished. I'll do anything. I'll write a public apology. I'll pay double the ticket price. Just please, don't destroy my company over a plane seat."
Desmond looked at the trembling executive.
"You think this is about a plane seat? You think I grounded a global fleet of wide-body aircraft because my feelings were hurt over being asked to move?"
Desmond shook his head slowly.
"I am a businessman, Preston. I deal in risk assessment. Tonight, I observed the executive vice president of a company I have heavily invested in throw a childish, irrational tantrum. I watched you lie to a flight crew. I watched you jeopardize the safety and schedule of 300 passengers because of your fragile ego. That tells me everything I need to know about your temperament, your judgment, and your leadership. Montgomery Holdings is no longer a safe investment. You are a liability."
Preston's knees practically buckled. "No, no, please. It was just one mistake."
"It was a revelation of character," Desmond corrected sharply.
Desmond's phone, resting on the seat beside him, began to vibrate again. The caller ID still displayed the unknown Dallas number. Desmond knew exactly who it was.
He picked up the device, accepted the call, and put it on speakerphone, setting it back down on the leather seat.
"Speak," Desmond commanded.
"Mr. Hayes, thank God."
The frantic voice of Rick Halloway, CEO of Global Airways, echoed through the empty gate area. Captain Mitchell flinched at the sound of his boss's voice.
"Mr. Hayes, this is Rick Halloway. I cannot express how deeply, profoundly sorry I am for the catastrophic failure of protocol you experienced tonight. This does not reflect the values of Global Airways."