“All three?”
“Yes.”
“They were brought to her fitting room.”
Meredith stared at the associate.
“Then why was she walking around with them?”
Maya blinked.
“Because she asked to compare them under the front light.”
Nia watched Meredith’s expression.
For perhaps half a second, certainty disappeared.
Then pride rushed in to replace it.
“Well, no one told me.”
Nia almost smiled.
“No one was required to.”
Meredith took a step closer.
“I am one of this company’s highest-tier clients.”
Nia said nothing.
“I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars here.”
Still nothing.
“I know how this store works.”
Nia finally answered.
“That may be the problem.”
Meredith’s face hardened.
She reached toward the ivory dress again.
Nia jerked the hangers away.
The wooden hooks knocked together sharply.
Officer Blake stepped between them.
“Enough.”
His voice rose.
He looked at Nia.
“Put the merchandise down.”
Nia studied him.
“You have an employee standing ten feet away telling you I was authorized to carry it.”
“I heard her.”
“Then what probable cause do you have?”
Blake’s expression changed.
Not dramatically.
But Nia saw the question land.
He had arrived to a report.
He had not witnessed theft.
Store staff had not accused her.
Meredith had.
And Meredith did not own the merchandise.
Officer Blake looked toward Maya.
“Is your manager here?”
Maya nodded.
“She’s coming.”
“Good.”
Meredith crossed her arms.
“This is ridiculous.”
Nia glanced toward her.
“For once, we agree.”
That was when the glass elevator at the far end of the boutique opened.
A man stepped out.
Then immediately stopped.
Daniel Cross had been regional president of Aurelian House North America for six years.
Fifty-one.
Tall.
Dark suit.
Silver beginning at his temples.
He had spent the morning in a conference room three floors above the flagship reviewing fourth-quarter projections and a proposed Miami expansion.
Someone must have messaged him.
Or called.
Because the moment he saw Nia standing beside Officer Blake, his face changed.
Daniel began walking.
Then running.
Not a full sprint.
A dignified executive’s version of one.
Fast enough that several employees noticed.
Meredith did not.
She was still speaking to the officer.
“If you check her bag, I’m sure—”
“No.”
Nia said.
Meredith blinked.
“What?”
“You do not get to order a search of my bag.”
Officer Blake said:
“She’s right.”
Meredith turned toward him.
“Excuse me?”
“She has not consented to a search.”
“You’re the police.”
“Yes.”
“That doesn't mean I can search whoever you point at.”
For the first time, Nia gave him a small nod.
Not gratitude.
Recognition.
Daniel reached them.
He was breathing hard.
“Officer.”
Everyone turned.
Daniel looked at Blake.
Then Meredith.
Then the three dresses.
Then Nia.
His face had gone pale.
“Please step away from her.”
Blake frowned.
“Sir, who are you?”
“Daniel Cross.”
He reached into his jacket.
“Regional president.”
He showed identification.
Meredith visibly relaxed.
“Daniel, thank God.”
She pointed toward Nia.
“I was just trying to prevent—”
Daniel did not look at her.
His eyes remained on Nia.