The man was restrained in a jump seat, wrists zip-tied, legs shaking violently. A flight attendant hovered anxiously. Rhea crouched opposite him. “Look at me.”
He refused.
“Why target this flight?” she asked.
Nothing.
Captain Markell leaned in. “Because Lieutenant Commander Calden wasn’t supposed to be here?”
The man’s jaw tightened.
Rhea spoke evenly. “Who sent you?”
He spat on the floor. Passengers murmured, terrified.
She lowered her voice. “Listen carefully. I’ve interrogated men who didn’t fear dying. But you’re not one of them. You’re sweating. Panicked. This wasn’t your idea.”
His eyes flickered.
