The Manager stared.
“You can’t seize anything.”
“Correct.”
He nodded toward the Sergeant.
“That’s why law enforcement is here.”
The Sergeant frowned.
“We came for a card complaint.”
“I know.”
The Investigator handed him a folder.
“Your financial crimes unit has been coordinating with us since this morning.”
The Sergeant opened the folder.
Read.
His expression shifted.
The female officer moved toward the checkout terminal.
Not touching it.
Guarding it.
The Store Manager looked toward the Black CEO.
Something finally connected.
Not fully.
But enough.
“You.”
The CEO remained silent.
The Manager pointed.
“You did this.”
The Corporate Security Investigator said:
“Ma’am, step away from the register.”
The Manager ignored him.
She stared at the Black CEO.
“Who are you?”
The CEO looked around the boutique.
At employees.
Customers.
Police.
The Manager.
Then she placed the beige handbag on the counter.
Opened it.
Removed a slim black credential case.
The Manager watched.
The CEO placed it beside the terminal.
Corporate identification.
Executive designation.
Her photograph.
Her title.
Chief Executive Officer.
Chair.
Majority owner.
The employee behind the counter stopped breathing for a second.
The security officer’s eyes widened.
The female police officer looked from the ID to the woman.
The Sergeant slowly closed the investigative folder.
The Store Manager stared at the card.
Then at the CEO.
Then back.
“No.”
The CEO finally spoke.
“Yes.”
The Manager looked around as though somebody might tell her this was a joke.
Nobody did.
The Black CEO picked up her payment card.
Placed it beside the corporate identification.
“You were correct about one thing.”
The Manager’s lips parted.
“Someone in this store has been stealing from my company.”
The Manager’s face went white.
The CEO continued.
“We just hadn’t confirmed who.”
The Store Manager shook her head.
“This is insane.”
The Corporate Security Investigator moved closer.
“Step away from the register.”
The Manager did not move.
The Sergeant said:
“Do it.”
She stepped away.
Slowly.
The female officer positioned herself between the Manager and the counter.
The Black CEO remained opposite them.
The employee who had run the card twice looked like she might cry.
The CEO saw.
She softened slightly.
“You’re fine.”
The employee looked toward her.
“I should have said something earlier.”
The CEO did not answer immediately.
That conversation would come later.
Now evidence mattered.
The Corporate Security Investigator asked all staff to leave devices where they were.
Nobody was accused publicly.
Nobody was searched by corporate employees.
Police contacted financial crimes investigators.
The boutique doors closed.
Customers were asked to complete statements voluntarily.
Several agreed.
One older white customer approached the CEO.
“I saw everything.”
The CEO nodded.