The manager stopped before saying the name.
That gesture told the officer more than any identification card could have.
The blonde woman noticed too.
“What?”
The manager looked toward the officer.
“What happened?”
The officer answered:
“We received a report of suspicious activity.”
The manager looked toward the Black woman.
Then toward the blonde customer.
“Suspicious activity involving who?”
The blonde woman pointed.
“Her.”
The manager stared.
For a moment she looked as though she had misheard.
The blonde woman continued.
“I tried to tell your staff.”
The manager looked toward the employees.
The young Black associate looked miserable.
The manager asked:
“Did any employee call police?”
No.
Nobody answered verbally.
They did not need to.
The manager looked at the officer.
“Did security call?”
“No.”
“Was merchandise reported missing?”
“No.”
The blonde woman threw both hands up.
“That doesn't mean nothing happened.”
The manager’s voice cooled.
“What exactly did you see?”
The blonde woman blinked.
“I already explained.”
“Explain it to me.”
“She was handling merchandise.”
The manager stared.
“In the boutique.”
“Yes.”
“That sells merchandise.”
The blonde woman’s face reddened.
“She was acting suspiciously.”
“How?”
“She kept moving between sections.”
The manager looked toward the Black woman.
Then back.
“That is generally how shopping works.”
Someone near the front entrance laughed.
The blonde woman spun.
“This is unbelievable.”
The manager did not smile.
“No.”
“It is.”
She walked toward the Black woman.
Then stopped about two feet away.
Her posture changed.
Professional.
Almost formal.
“Are you all right?”
The blonde woman stared.
The officer stared too.
The Black woman answered:
“I’m fine.”
“Did anyone touch you?”
“No.”
The officer said:
“I asked her to put merchandise down.”
The manager looked toward the clothes.
Then at him.
“Was she detained?”
The officer hesitated.
“No.”
“Was she suspected by store staff?”
“No.”
The manager nodded.
Then looked at the blonde woman.
“I need you to step away from her.”
The blonde woman laughed.
“You need me to step away?”
“Yes.”
“You should be thanking me.”
“For what?”
“Protecting your inventory.”
The manager’s eyes hardened.
“We did not ask you to protect anything.”
The blonde woman’s mouth opened.