Richard continued.
“I have another question.”
“No.”
“You don't know the question.”
“It’s about the jewelry.”
Richard laughed.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“You don't want it?”
Marcus looked toward his desk.
The necklace photograph remained inside a folder.
“I do.”
“Then why no?”
“Because I’m not buying it from you today.”
Richard sighed.
“Fair.”
Marcus continued.
“I want six months of audit results.”
Richard stopped.
“What?”
“Six months.”
“External customer-treatment audit.”
“Then we talk.”
Richard laughed softly.
“You're turning an eighteen-million-dollar jewelry purchase into compliance financing.”
“I’m a businessman.”
“Your mother was right to worry.”
Marcus smiled.
“How do you know what my mother thinks?”
“She called me.”
Marcus went silent.
Richard said:
“She is terrifying.”
“What did she say?”
“That if I tried to give you the necklace as an apology she would personally return it through my front window.”
Marcus closed his eyes.
“That sounds like her.”
Richard laughed.
“She also said I should stop hiring people who think sneakers are a criminal indicator.”
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
“I need to call my mother.”
“Please don't tell her I told you.”
“Coward.”
“Correct.”
Six months later, Marcus returned to Ellison & Rowe.
Same flagship.
Same doors.
Different atmosphere?
Maybe.
Hard to tell.
He wore jeans this time.
Black sweater.
Same old watch.
No entourage.
Again.
At the entrance, a young associate greeted him.
“Good afternoon.”
“Afternoon.”
“Do you have an appointment or would you like to browse?”
“Appointment.”
“Name?”
“Marcus Hale.”
The associate checked the tablet.
No facial reaction.
No sudden panic.
Just:
“Thank you.”
“Mr. Hale, your appointment is confirmed.”
“Would you like to wait near the private salon or browse the main floor?”
Marcus almost smiled.
“Browse.”
“Of course.”
That was all.
He walked toward the central display.
The necklace was gone.
Transferred to private storage after the incident.
Richard appeared from the rear.
“Too boring?”
Marcus looked at him.
“Perfectly.”
Richard smiled.
“You got the audit?”
“Yes.”
“Read all two hundred pages?”
“Unfortunately.”
“And?”
“Better.”
“That sounded painful.”
“It is painful.”
They walked upstairs.
Private salon.
No champagne.
Marcus requested coffee.
Richard brought the jewelry himself.
The necklace emerged in a locked case.
Marcus stared.
Still beautiful.
Still quiet.
Richard opened the case.
“Want to handle it?”
Marcus put on gloves.
Lifted the piece.