“Some customers are more comfortable beginning with our fashion collection.”
Diana looked toward the section Patricia meant.
Pieces under five hundred dollars.
Beautiful pieces.
There was nothing shameful about them.
That was not the problem.
The problem was why Patricia had decided they belonged to Diana.
“I’m not interested in the fashion collection.”
Patricia smiled.
“Perhaps if you tell me your budget—”
“I would like to purchase the Aurora necklace.”
Patricia laughed.
Actually laughed.
It lasted perhaps one second.
That second destroyed any remaining doubt Diana had been giving her.
Patricia recovered.
“I’m sorry. I simply mean that a purchase of that size requires verification.”
“What verification?”
“Proof of funds.”
Diana stared.
“Is that company policy?”
“For a purchase of this magnitude.”
“Every customer?”
“Yes.”
Diana looked toward the Blackstones.
Evelyn was wearing a bracelet priced at more than four hundred thousand dollars.
“Did you ask them?”
Patricia’s face hardened.
“They are established clients.”
“So established customers receive different financial procedures?”
“We use discretion.”
“Based on what?”
Patricia’s patience broke.
“Experience.”
Diana nodded slowly.
“What did your experience tell you about me?”
Patricia crossed her arms.
“This conversation is becoming inappropriate.”
“No. I think it’s becoming specific.”
Kevin looked up.
Marcus shifted near the entrance.
Ashley had returned from the back and stood behind a counter.
Diana continued.
“You asked me about my budget before allowing me to handle a necklace. You did not ask the Blackstones.”
“They are known clients.”
“You redirected me toward cheaper merchandise.”
“I made a recommendation.”
“You left me waiting while customers who arrived after me received immediate service.”
“I have responsibilities to all customers.”
“You told them ‘all kinds wander in here.’”
Patricia’s face flushed.
“I was not referring to you.”
“You looked directly at me.”
“That is your interpretation.”
Diana felt the old memory from Buckhead rise through her.
The salesman who suggested another store.
The watch never removed from its case.
The polite certainty that she did not belong.
She had built forty-seven stores specifically so nobody under her roof would experience that feeling.
And here it was.
Inside the flagship.
Wearing her payroll.
“I would like to speak to the manager.”
Patricia almost smiled.
“I am the manager.”
“Then I would like to speak to whoever supervises you.”
“There is no one above me at this location.”
“Who do you report to?”
“That is internal company information.”
Kevin closed his eyes briefly.
Diana saw it.
Patricia continued.
“This is my store, and I decide how customer interactions are handled.”
Diana looked at her.
“Your store?”
“Yes.”
Something changed in Diana’s voice.
Patricia should have heard it.
“This is your store?”
“I run this location.”
“And you decide who deserves service?”
“I decide when someone’s behavior creates a security concern.”
“What behavior?”
“You’ve been standing near high-value inventory for nearly half an hour.”
“Because you left me there.”
Patricia’s face went red.
“You are being deliberately difficult.”
“No.”
Diana remained calm.
“I’m asking you to explain why I became suspicious to you before I did anything.”
“That accusation is offensive.”
“Is it?”