“That is not proof.”
“But it is information.”
Celeste walked out.
The door closed.
Nia looked at Daniel.
He rubbed his forehead.
“Tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
“How close are you to Celeste?”
He stared.
“Professionally?”
“That was not my question.”
Daniel looked toward Maya.
Then Anthony.
Nia said:
“They are staying.”
He became angry.
“This is inappropriate.”
“So is a store manager asking a regional president whether he is ‘allowing’ the majority owner to place her on leave.”
Daniel stood.
“I have worked for this company sixteen years.”
“And?”
“I deserve better than insinuation.”
“You deserve a chance to answer.”
Daniel stared.
Then sat again.
“No romantic relationship.”
“Financial?”
“No.”
“Personal?”
“Our families know each other.”
“How?”
“Her husband and I attended Columbia together.”
There it was.
Nia nodded.
“Anything else?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Meredith Langford sits on the board of the Madison Arts Foundation.”
“So?”
“My wife is executive director.”
Maya looked up.
Anthony looked toward window.
The network was becoming visible.
Not conspiracy.
Social proximity.
The type of proximity that often mattered more.
Nia asked:
“How often has Meredith complained about customers?”
Daniel sighed.
“I don't know.”
“Guess.”
“Several times.”
“Ten?”
“Possibly.”
“Twenty?”
“I don't know.”
“Were any complaints documented?”
“Some.”
“Pull them.”
Daniel looked at Nia.
“Today?”
“Yes.”
“It will take time.”
“We have time.”
Nia stood.
Then looked toward Maya.
“You can return to floor if you want.”
Maya hesitated.
“Can I stay?”
Nia studied her.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Maya swallowed.
“Because I think you should see something.”
The room went still.
Nia sat again.
“What?”
Maya took out her phone.
“I don't know if I’m allowed to show this.”
Daniel’s expression became wary.
Nia said:
“If it contains confidential customer information, stop.”
“It doesn't.”
“It’s employee messages.”
Daniel said:
“Maya.”
Nia looked at him.
He stopped.
Maya unlocked her phone.
Opened a group chat.
Twenty-three members.
FLAGSHIP FLOOR — PRIVATE.
Not official company messaging.
Personal phones.
Nia scrolled.
Most messages normal.
Shift changes.
Lunch orders.
Birthday jokes.
Then she searched Meredith.
Results.
MRS L ON 2ND. KEEP WALK-INS AWAY FROM EAST FITTINGS.
Mrs L complained about woman in denim touching couture. Anyone know her?
VIP upset about teenagers near handbag wall. Anthony pls sweep?
Maya had replied to one:
They are customers. Mom is in fitting room.
Another message from Celeste:
Just keep them moving. Not worth upsetting M.
Nia kept scrolling.