“Like what?”
The blonde changed direction.
“You were touching everything.”
“So were you.”
“I shop here all the time.”
“And that makes touching merchandise different?”
The blonde pointed toward the bag.
“Open it.”
The male officer stepped between them.
“Ma’am, back up.”
The blonde stared at him.
“Search her.”
“I said back up.”
The chairwoman looked at the officer.
He had not assumed.
Another point in the store’s favor.
Then the boutique’s general manager emerged from the private showroom.
He had been informed police were inside.
He walked quickly.
Then saw the Black woman.
He stopped.
Every bit of color disappeared from his face.
The chairwoman noticed.
So did the young associate.
The manager walked toward the officer.
“Excuse me.”
The officer turned.
The manager leaned closer.
His voice dropped.
“Do not search that woman based on this complaint.”
The officer frowned.
“Why?”
The manager glanced toward the chairwoman.
Then whispered:
“She owns this boutique.”
The officer looked at him.
The manager corrected himself.
“More precisely, she is the chairwoman and majority owner of the luxury holding group that operates this flagship.”
The officer’s eyebrows rose.
The blonde woman heard enough.
“What?”
The room became completely silent.
The Black woman did not smile.
The blonde stared at her.
“No.”
The manager looked at the chairwoman.
“Madam Chairwoman, I’m so sorry.”
She lifted one hand.
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
“Do not apologize to me because you recognize me.”
The manager’s face changed.
She continued:
“If you thought the process was wrong thirty seconds ago, it should have been wrong before you knew my name.”
The young associate looked down.
The manager nodded.
“You’re right.”
The blonde laughed sharply.
“This is ridiculous.”
Nobody looked at her.
That made it worse.
She pointed toward the Black woman.
“She still has the bracelet.”
The chairwoman turned.
“Maybe.”
The room froze.
The blonde’s eyes widened.
The chairwoman placed the green handbag on the display table.
“Officer.”
He looked at her.
“You may search my bag.”
The young associate stepped forward.
“Ma’am—”
The chairwoman looked at her.
“It’s all right.”
Then toward the officer.
“I am consenting voluntarily.”
He nodded.
“Understood.”
He put on gloves.
Opened the bag.
Inside were a wallet.
Keys.
Phone charger.
Lipstick.
A small notebook.