SECURITY CLEARANCE
BAGGAGE OPERATIONS
EMERGENCY OVERRIDE
Every item was marked:
AUTHORIZED
Claire took a step backward. "Can they control all of that?"
Robert didn't answer. Daniel did. "Yes."
Claire looked at him. "Then why isn't anything happening?"
"Because they're not controlling the systems yet."
Daniel's eyes narrowed. "They're testing access."
Robert understood. "Testing what?"
"Whether the credentials work."
A new message appeared. ACCESS VALIDATION: 100%
Daniel's expression hardened. "They've passed."
Robert immediately reached for the security phone. "I'll contact cybersecurity."
Daniel stopped him. "No."
Robert stared. "Why?"
"Because if the person behind this is already inside the network, calling the normal security team may tell them exactly what we're doing."
Robert lowered the phone. "What do you suggest?"
Daniel looked toward the terminal. "We find the access point."
Claire spoke quietly. "Before we do that..."
Daniel turned. She looked at the torn pieces of his ticket. "Are you really the Director of Airport Operations?"
Daniel nodded. Claire's face reddened. "Then I'm sorry."
Daniel didn't respond immediately. "I know."
"I didn't know."
"That's exactly why I'm not firing you."