“I won’t leave.”
The Blackstones were no longer pretending not to listen.
Ashley had returned quietly from the stockroom.
Kevin Torres, the twenty-six-year-old assistant manager, had stepped from the office after hearing raised voices.
Marcus Johnson, the store’s forty-five-year-old security officer, shifted closer but did not intervene.
Patricia’s voice sharpened.
“I am asking you to leave private property.”
“I would like to speak to your manager.”
“I am the manager.”
“Then I would like to speak to the person above you.”
“There is nobody above me at this location.”
“Correct.”
Patricia frowned.
Diana continued.
“But there is somebody above you.”
Something in the wording unsettled Kevin.
He studied Diana more carefully.
Patricia did not.
“This is my store,” she said.
Diana repeated it.
“Your store?”
“Yes.”
The showroom seemed to narrow.
Diana took one small step forward.
“Your store.”
“I run this location.”
“You manage it.”
“That is what I said.”
“No. It isn’t.”
Patricia’s voice rose.
“I decide who gets served here, and right now I have decided you are causing a disturbance.”
Diana looked around.
No shouting from her.
No threats.
No damaged property.
No disruption except the one being manufactured around her.
“And you’ve decided I don’t deserve service.”
“I’ve decided you are suspicious.”
“Why?”
Patricia did not answer.
“Why?”
“I don’t have to explain myself to you.”
Kevin stepped forward.
“Patricia.”
She turned.
“What?”
“Maybe we should pause.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“We can verify payment capability through the normal purchase process if she wants to buy.”
“I said stay out of it.”
Kevin lowered his voice.
“This is escalating.”
“Because she refuses to leave.”
Diana looked at him.
Kevin met her eyes briefly.
An apology passed silently between them.
Patricia pointed toward Marcus.
“Escort her out.”
Marcus did not move.
“Marcus.”
He looked at Diana.
Then Patricia.
“Has she threatened anyone?”
“What?”
“Has she stolen anything?”
“She’s behaving suspiciously.”
“Has she touched merchandise without permission?”
“No.”
“Damaged anything?”
“No.”
“Then I think we should wait for corporate or law enforcement before putting hands on her.”
Patricia’s mouth opened.
Diana watched Marcus.
He was not defying for drama.
He was thinking.
That mattered.
“Marcus, I am your manager.”
“My security supervisor is corporate, ma’am.”
“I can have you removed from this building.”
“You can report me.”
Patricia’s voice cracked.
“Get her out or you’re fired.”
Marcus stiffened.
Kevin said:
“Patricia, stop.”
She whirled toward him.