Naomi turned.
“I walked toward the front window.”
“You were heading for the exit.”
“I was looking at the display.”
“Of course you were.”
Naomi stared.
There it was again.
That tone.
Not evidence.
Certainty.
The officer said:
“Put the clothes down.”
Naomi remained still.
“Officer, your body camera is recording?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Mercer looked irritated.
Naomi continued:
“Please state what you personally observed that makes you believe these dresses need to be taken from me.”
The officer’s jaw tightened.
“I’m conducting an investigation.”
“Into what?”
“Possible theft.”
“Did anyone report an item missing?”
He looked toward Gregory.
Gregory said nothing.
Naomi asked again.
“Has any merchandise been reported missing?”
Gregory cleared his throat.
“No.”
“Did I conceal anything?”
“No.”
“Did I leave the store?”
“No.”
“Did I pass a point of sale while carrying unpaid merchandise?”
Gregory hesitated.
“No.”
Naomi looked at Officer Mercer.
“What remains?”
Victoria interrupted.
“Her behavior.”
Naomi turned slowly.
Victoria folded her arms.
“She was watching people.”
“I own eyes.”
“She kept touching expensive dresses.”
Naomi looked down at the three garments.
“It is a clothing store.”
Victoria’s face flushed.
“You know exactly what I mean.”
“No.”
Naomi’s voice cooled.
“I would like you to say exactly what you mean.”
The room became quieter.
Victoria looked around.
The phones made her cautious now.
She softened her wording.
“I mean you were acting like someone who did not normally shop in places like this.”
There.
Not explicit enough to satisfy her later accusers.
Clear enough for everyone in the room.
Naomi asked:
“What does someone who normally shops here look like?”
Victoria exhaled impatiently.
“Don’t turn this into race.”
Naomi had not used the word.
Several people noticed that too.
Officer Mercer looked increasingly uncomfortable.
Gregory Hale looked worse.
Naomi turned toward him.
“Mr. Hale.”
His eyes widened.
He had never introduced himself.
“How do you know my name?”
Naomi ignored the question.
“Did you tell this woman I was stealing?”
“No.”
“Did you tell police I was stealing?”
“No.”
“Did you personally see me conceal anything?”
“No.”
“Then why are we still having this conversation?”
Gregory looked toward Officer Mercer.
“That is for the officer to determine.”
Naomi’s expression hardened.
Wrong answer.
The officer stepped forward.
“Ma’am, I’m going to ask one more time.”
He held out his hand.
“Give me the clothes and your identification.”
Naomi did not move.
“What happens if I refuse?”
Mercer looked at her.
“You could be detained while I establish what happened.”
Victoria smiled.
Naomi saw it.
So did one of the women filming.
Naomi asked:
“Handcuffs?”
“If necessary.”
The word hung in the air.
Gregory finally looked alarmed.