When Diana arrived at 2:17 that afternoon, Patricia was already nervous.
A courier had been scheduled to collect a sealed case from the private room.
The manager expected the process to be completed without interruption.
Then a glamorous Black woman in a chocolate-brown gown entered, asked about the restoration, and requested access to the gala piece.
Patricia didn't recognize her.
But she recognized the risk.
Someone asking to see The First Light could interfere with the planned movement.
Someone requesting the restoration team might discover that the piece had been handled under unusual arrangements.
And someone who insisted on verifying an appointment could create a record Patricia didn't want examined.
So she used the tactic that had worked for her many times before.
She declared the visitor unauthorized.
Questioned whether she belonged.
And ordered her out.
Her prejudice made the decision easier.
The woman was Black.
She wasn't accompanied by a familiar wealthy client.
And Patricia assumed the gown and handbag might be part of a performance intended to gain access to the private collection.
She never considered that Diana Mitchell herself might appear without announcing her arrival to the manager.
That mistake cost Patricia her job in less than two minutes.
But her fear afterward wasn't merely the humiliation of being fired.
It was the realization that the person who could authorize an independent examination of the necklace had arrived before the suspicious courier transfer could be completed.
And now the CEO was asking exactly the question Patricia had been trying to avoid.
Where was The First Light?
Diana followed Clara toward the private collection room.
Amira came with them.
The security officer, Luis Ortega, remained nearby after notifying the company's security director that an incident involving the manager had occurred.
Patricia tried to follow.
Diana turned.
"Please remain in the reception area until HR and security speak with you."
Patricia's face reddened.
"I need to explain the inventory situation."
Diana looked directly at her.
"You will have an opportunity to provide your account."
Patricia pointed toward Clara.
"She's confused. That necklace is exactly where it's supposed to be."
Diana remained still.
"Then an independent inspection should resolve that."
Patricia opened her mouth.
But Diana had already turned away.
Inside the collection room, Clara approached a locked cabinet.
She entered her authorized credentials and retrieved the case.
The exterior looked ordinary.
A dark blue leather presentation box.
A gold Aurelle insignia.
And a numbered identification label.
But Clara's hands trembled as she placed it on the inspection table.
Diana noticed.
"What's wrong?"
The older jeweler swallowed.
"I think someone substituted the necklace."
Amira stared.
Diana felt her chest tighten.