"The account is connected to Graham Pike's office."
The regional operations director arrived twenty minutes later.
Graham was not the person who had fired Patricia. He was Diana's senior retail executive, and he'd been summoned because the incident now involved both employee conduct and possible irregularities in the company's collection.
He entered the boutique wearing a tailored charcoal suit and carrying a leather portfolio.
His expression was controlled.
But when he saw Diana standing beside Clara, he stopped.
"Diana."
She looked toward him.
"Hello, Graham."
He glanced toward Patricia, who was sitting in a reception chair accompanied by an HR representative.
Then toward the closed collection-room door.
"I understand there was an unfortunate incident."
Diana studied him.
"That's one way of describing it."
Graham gave a sympathetic smile.
"Patricia can be intense, but she's been under enormous pressure preparing for the gala."
Diana's expression didn't change.
"She shoved a visitor and attempted to take her handbag."
Graham looked uncomfortable.
"I'm certainly not defending that."
"Good."
He nodded.
Then continued.
"But I hope we can keep one manager's mistake from becoming a larger disruption."
Diana looked toward the collection room.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then asked.
"Did you authorize a private viewing of The First Light?"
Graham hesitated.
"Yes."
"Who attended?"
"A prospective donor."
"Name?"
He glanced toward his portfolio.
"That information is confidential."
Diana stared.
For several seconds, the room seemed to become quieter.
Then she spoke.
"Graham, I am asking about the handling of a piece owned by the charitable foundation established in my mother's memory. I need the authorized records, subject to the appropriate confidentiality protections."
He swallowed.
"Of course."
Diana continued.
"Did you approve a courier movement today?"
Graham hesitated again.
Then answered.
"There was a proposed transfer connected to the donor's collection."
The CEO slowly folded her arms.
"Where?"
He looked toward the floor.
"An external appraisal facility."
Diana felt her stomach tighten.
"Why would a foundation-owned necklace that was supposed to appear at tonight's gala be sent to an external appraiser this afternoon?"
Graham opened his mouth.
No answer came.
For the first time since she hired him, Diana saw genuine fear cross his face.
And she began to understand that Patricia's attempt to throw her out of the showroom might have protected more than one person's secret.
Graham tried to recover his composure.
He opened his portfolio and removed a printed authorization form.
"There's a perfectly reasonable explanation."
Diana waited.
He placed the document on the glass counter.
"The donor requested an independent valuation before making a substantial contribution to the foundation. Patricia arranged the logistics."
Diana looked at the form.
It described an external appraisal of a high-value jewelry item.