“My client is trying to answer—”
Claire interrupted.
“No.”
She looked toward outside counsel.
“Older.”
“Usually white.”
“Sometimes Asian.”
“Usually wearing something recognizable.”
“Known collectors.”
“People who call ahead.”
“People referred.”
“Was race part of your assessment?”
Claire’s eyes filled.
“I don’t know.”
“Did you know he was Black?”
“Obviously.”
“Did that make him seem less like a likely buyer?”
“I don't want to say yes.”
“That is not the question.”
Claire stared at the table.
“I don't know.”
The lawyer waited.
Finally Claire whispered:
“Maybe.”
No one spoke.
She covered her mouth.
“I’m not racist.”
Outside counsel said calmly:
“That isn’t the question either.”
Claire started crying.
Not performatively.
Not loudly.
Just tears.
“I work with Black clients.”
“I have Black friends.”
“My ex-boyfriend was Black.”
Her attorney looked pained.
Outside counsel remained neutral.
“None of those facts answer what happened.”
Claire wiped her face.
“I thought he was trying to show off.”
“Why?”
“He asked for the most expensive thing.”
“He didn’t look like he knew us.”
“Then he put down some black card like it was supposed to impress me.”
“Did you process it?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I thought it might decline.”
“What would happen if it declined?”
“I’d feel like he wasted my time.”
Outside counsel looked at her.
“That is the most honest answer you’ve given.”
Claire cried harder.
The interview continued.
Security guard Darren Cole had his own interview.
His employer was a contracted security company.
Why did he shove Marcus?
“Claire said he was refusing to leave.”
“Did you hear her tell him to leave?”
“Yes.”
“Was he threatening?”
“No.”
“Yelling?”
“No.”
“Blocking anyone?”
“No.”
“Damaging property?”
“No.”
“Why use physical contact?”
“He refused verbal direction.”
“How much time passed between direction and contact?”
Darren looked at footage timestamp.
“Nine seconds.”
“Did he move toward exit?”
“No.”
“Did you warn physical removal?”
“No.”
“Did you know why Claire asked him to leave?”
“She said he was causing trouble.”
“Did you independently assess?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I trusted staff.”
“Would you handle it differently now?”
Darren stared.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I’d ask what happened.”