OFFICER REED: "Did you raise your voice at any point?"
NATALIE: "No. I explained the policy more than once because she kept insisting that I make an exception."
VICTORIA: "Because you were being deliberately difficult!"
DAVID: "Ms. Blake, please allow Natalie to finish."
VICTORIA: "Why does everyone keep telling me to be quiet? I'm the person who came here to complain."
OFFICER TURNER: "And we're listening to your complaint. We're also listening to the other people involved."
Victoria turned toward him with visible disbelief.
VICTORIA: "You make it sound as if I have done something wrong."
OFFICER TURNER: "I'm not making a conclusion. I'm asking questions."
VICTORIA: "Well, perhaps you should ask why an employee thought she could embarrass a customer in the first place."
NATALIE: "I didn't embarrass you. I told you I couldn't sell a reserved item without authorization."
VICTORIA: "You contradicted me in front of strangers."
NATALIE: "I explained the policy that applies to every customer."
VICTORIA: "I am not every customer."
The statement emerged before Victoria could reconsider it.
For a moment, even she seemed to recognize how it sounded.
David slowly turned toward her.
DAVID: "Our policies apply to everyone, Ms. Blake. We cannot simply disregard another customer's reservation because someone else demands the product first."
VICTORIA: "I offered to pay more."
DAVID: "The price is not the issue. The reservation is."
VICTORIA: "Then your store has a serious problem with customer service."
DAVID: "You're entitled to express dissatisfaction with our service. That does not give anyone permission to strike an employee."
Victoria's jaw tightened.
She looked toward Officer Reed, apparently hoping he would intervene on her behalf.
Instead, he continued making notes.
OFFICER REED: "You said you were upset by the employee's response. Did you strike her?"
VICTORIA: "I've already explained that she provoked me."
OFFICER REED: "I'm asking whether you struck her."
VICTORIA: "I lost my temper for a second. That doesn't mean everyone needs to behave as if the world has ended."
OFFICER REED: "We need an accurate account of what happened."
VICTORIA: "Fine. I slapped her. Are you satisfied now?"
The nearby customers fell silent again.
Natalie did not react to the admission. She simply stood beside the counter, her hand resting lightly against the edge of the display.
Officer Turner exchanged a glance with Officer Reed.
OFFICER REED: "Thank you for answering. We'll document that statement along with the witness accounts and any available footage."
VICTORIA: "I admitted it because I have nothing to hide."
OFFICER TURNER: "We'll record the circumstances as reported by everyone involved."
Victoria folded her arms more tightly.
VICTORIA: "You know, I could make a few calls about how you're handling this."
OFFICER REED: "You may seek whatever advice you consider appropriate. For now, we need you to cooperate with the investigation."
David stepped slightly aside as the assistant supervisor returned from the staff corridor.
She carried a small notepad and appeared concerned.
ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR: "David, I've identified the employees who were working near the counter. Two of them heard the argument, and one saw the incident clearly."
DAVID: "Thank you. Please make sure they remain available to speak with the officers."
ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR: "I'll arrange that."
Victoria turned toward the assistant supervisor.
VICTORIA: "You'd better be careful about what you tell them."
The assistant supervisor stopped.
For a brief moment, she looked uncertain. She had worked in luxury retail long enough to recognize the kind of customer who expected every employee to agree with her. Victoria's expensive clothes, confident manner, and references to family connections made the situation uncomfortable.
But the assistant supervisor had also seen the slap.
ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR: "I'll tell them what I saw and heard."
VICTORIA: "You should think very carefully before deciding to get involved."
OFFICER TURNER: "Ma'am, please don't pressure the witnesses."
VICTORIA: "I'm not pressuring anyone. I'm simply reminding her that words have consequences."
DAVID: "So do actions, Ms. Blake."
Victoria slowly turned toward him.
Her expression suggested that she could not believe the store manager had chosen to challenge her openly.
VICTORIA: "You seem very comfortable taking the employee's side."
DAVID: "I'm not taking sides. I'm making sure the facts are established."
VICTORIA: "Then why is everyone looking at me as if I'm some kind of criminal?"
DAVID: "Because a serious incident has taken place in the store, and the officers are investigating it."
VICTORIA: "I am a loyal customer. I have spent a fortune here over the years."
DAVID: "We appreciate our customers, but purchasing expensive products does not place anyone above the rules."