Her pause lasted too long.
“The stores may still accept them.”
Evan studied her.
“May?”
“I’d have to confirm.”
“You haven’t?”
“Evan, this was arranged at the executive level.”
He repeated one word.
“May.”
Not accusatory.
Not loud.
Dana looked beyond his shoulder.
Preston Caldwell appeared.
“What’s the issue?”
Evan handed him the certificate.
“Expired April 30th.”
Preston barely looked.
“Face value remains face value.”
“No.”
Preston looked at him.
“No?”
“Face value is a printed number. Redemption value depends on whether the issuer honors it.”
“The stores will handle it.”
“Have they agreed to?”
Preston’s mouth tightened.
“The operational staff will find these perfectly serviceable.”
Evan looked at the certificate again.
“Did anybody verify that?”
Grant had heard enough.
He came over.
“Evan.”
“Grant.”
“Let’s not turn this into a federal case.”
Several people nearby laughed.
Grant smiled at them.
“Seriously. Christmas is three days away. Becket sells food, electronics, home goods. Go buy Sophie something and enjoy the holiday.”
Evan felt heat move into his face.
Grant knew his daughter’s name.
That somehow made the remark worse.
One production supervisor laughed.
Another patted Evan’s shoulder as he passed.
“Could be worse.”
Evan looked at the hand.
Then at the man.
The supervisor withdrew it.
Grant smiled.