Vanessa looked at Daniel.
He did not rescue her.
She swallowed.
“I saw a walk-in customer.”
“Correct.”
“We were busy.”
“Were you?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Moderately.”
There had been one couple in the bridal section and another woman browsing earrings.
Not busy.
Alicia let it go.
“You asked about high-value heritage pieces.”
“Yes.”
“And I was attempting to qualify the sale.”
“Qualify?”
“Determine intent.”
“How?”
Vanessa’s hands clasped in front of her.
“Conversation.”
“What did my conversation tell you?”
“You did not have an appointment.”
“Correct.”
“You asked immediately for a significant piece.”
“Correct.”
“You said you knew pricing.”
“Correct.”
Vanessa stopped.
Alicia waited.
“What else?”
The manager looked uncomfortable.
“Nothing.”
Alicia leaned against the desk.
“That’s not enough to explain your behavior.”
Vanessa’s eyes flicked toward Daniel.
Alicia followed.
“Don’t look at him.”
Vanessa looked back.
“Talk to me.”
“I misjudged you.”
“Based on what?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
“I made assumptions.”
“About?”
Vanessa’s voice dropped.
“Whether you were likely to buy.”
“Based on?”
No answer.
Alicia waited.
The silence stretched.
Finally Vanessa said:
“Your arrival profile.”
Alicia almost smiled at the phrase.
“What does that mean?”
“No appointment.”
“No driver.”
“No assistant.”
“You were alone.”
“Anything else?”
Vanessa’s eyes lowered.
Alicia asked:
“Race?”
Daniel shifted.
Vanessa looked horrified.
“No.”
Alicia said nothing.
Vanessa continued too quickly.
“Absolutely not.”
“I serve Black clients.”
“I have several Black clients.”
Alicia closed her eyes for half a second.
The defense was so predictable it almost felt scripted.
She opened them.
“I didn’t ask whether you know Black people.”
“I asked whether race influenced your assessment of me.”
Vanessa’s voice trembled.
“I don’t believe so.”
“That is a different answer.”
“Yes.”
Alicia nodded.
“Good.”
Vanessa looked confused.
“Good?”
“‘I don’t believe so’ is more honest than pretending you can prove what happened inside your head.”
Vanessa swallowed.
Alicia turned to Daniel.
“How long has she managed this location?”
“Three years.”
“Performance?”
“Strong sales.”
“Specific.”
Daniel knew better than to give adjectives without evidence.