Camille glanced down at the dresses.
“No.”
Evelyn looked toward the entrance.
“Then why are you standing so close to the door?”
Camille looked at the enormous window beside her.
“Because the natural light makes it easier to compare the colors.”
“There are fitting rooms.”
“I know.”
Evelyn examined her from head to toe.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No.”
“Are you being assisted by anyone?”
“Several employees have spoken with me.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Camille looked at her calmly.
“Then perhaps you should ask the question you actually mean.”
Evelyn’s mouth tightened.
“People don’t usually wander around here by themselves carrying that much merchandise.”
For a moment, Camille said nothing.
Then she asked:
“People?”
Evelyn blinked.
“Customers.”
“Is that what you meant?”
“Obviously.”
Camille nodded slowly.
“Do you work here?”
“No.”
“Are you part of the security team?”
Evelyn frowned.
“No.”
“Management?”
“Certainly not.”
“Then I’m going to continue shopping.”
Camille stepped around her.
Evelyn turned sharply.
“Excuse me!”
But Camille was already walking away.
The older woman watched her with growing irritation.
She was not accustomed to being dismissed.
Not by employees.
Not by service staff.
And certainly not by someone she had already decided was suspicious.
She approached Martin again.
“That woman is becoming confrontational.”
Martin looked up.
“What happened?”
“She refused to answer my questions.”
Martin glanced toward Camille.
“Perhaps because you aren’t an employee.”
Evelyn stared at him.
For one brief moment, Martin thought he had finally said something useful.
Then she reminded him how much money she had spent at the store.
“Martin, I have been shopping here for eleven years.”
“Yes, Mrs. Carrington.”
“I have referred friends to this company. I have brought my daughters here. I have supported this store when other retailers were struggling.”
“Of course.”
“And now you’re telling me that I should simply ignore something that concerns me?”
Martin looked down.
“No. That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Then do something.”
He approached Camille.
“Excuse me, ma’am.”
She turned.
“Yes?”
“I’m Martin Keene, the store manager.”
“Camille.”
“Thank you. I wonder if you might be willing to leave those pieces with me for a moment while we sort out a small concern.”
Camille looked at him.
“What concern?”
Martin hesitated.
“We’ve received a report about some unusual activity.”
“What activity?”
He glanced toward Evelyn.
She stood a few feet away with her arms folded.
Camille noticed.
“Is the report about something I actually did?”
Martin cleared his throat.
“We just want to make sure everything is all right.”
“Have I concealed any merchandise?”
“No.”
“Have I removed a security tag?”
“No.”
“Have I attempted to leave the store without paying?”
Martin looked uncomfortable.
“No.”
“Then what exactly are we sorting out?”
He had no answer.
Evelyn stepped forward.
“You’re making everybody uncomfortable.”
Camille slowly looked around.
A couple near the shoe display were discussing a purchase.
A young mother was showing her daughter a handbag.
Two sales associates were organizing a display.
Nobody appeared particularly uncomfortable.
Camille returned her attention to Evelyn.
“Everybody?”
Evelyn folded her arms more tightly.
“You know what I mean.”
Camille’s expression became colder.
“I’m beginning to think I do.”
Martin intervened.
“Perhaps we could move to one of the private fitting salons.”
Camille shook her head.
“No.”
“Ma’am, it would be more comfortable.”
“For whom?”
Martin opened his mouth.
Camille continued.
“If someone believes I have committed a crime, I would prefer that the allegation be explained clearly. I don’t see why I should be moved into a private room.”
Evelyn gave a short, disapproving laugh.
“She’s making a scene.”
Camille looked at her.
“No. I’m asking questions.”
Evelyn turned toward Martin.
“Call the police.”
Martin froze.
“Mrs. Carrington—”
“Now.”
For several seconds, the manager considered refusing.
He knew there was no missing merchandise.
He knew nobody had witnessed a theft.
He knew the woman standing in front of him had done nothing that justified a police response.
But Evelyn was one of his most valuable customers.
And Martin had spent the last three years learning that the easiest way to protect his position was to avoid disappointing people who could complain to senior management.
He reached for his phone.
That was his second failure.
Officer Paul Brennan arrived eight minutes later.