"No, thank you."
Martin nodded.
He walked away.
Evelyn watched him return.
"Well?"
Martin lowered his voice.
"She hasn't done anything."
Evelyn frowned.
"Yet."
That single word changed the atmosphere.
Ten minutes later, Camille moved toward the front windows again.
Evelyn followed.
"Excuse me."
Camille turned.
"Yes?"
"Have you paid for those?"
Camille looked down at the dresses.
"No."
Evelyn stared at her.
"Then perhaps you shouldn't be carrying them toward the exit."
Camille looked behind herself.
The front windows were only a few feet away.
"I was looking at the color in natural light."
"There are fitting rooms."
"I know."
Silence.
Evelyn folded her arms.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"Are you working with one of our stylists?"
"No."
"Then perhaps you should put those back."
Camille's expression changed.
Not anger.
Recognition.
She had seen this kind of interaction before.
She looked directly at Evelyn.
"Do you work here?"
"No."
"Security?"
"No."
"Management?"
Evelyn's lips tightened.
"Of course not."
Camille nodded.
"Then I'll continue shopping."
She walked away.
Evelyn watched her go.
Then she reached for her phone.
Five minutes later, she called the police.
And by the time Officer Daniel Reed walked through the glass doors, nobody in the store realized that the woman carrying three dresses was the owner.
Nobody except Camille.
And she was beginning to wonder how many other people in the company had learned to see customers differently depending on what they looked like.
Evelyn Whitmore had never considered herself prejudiced.
That was important to her.
She thought of herself as practical.
Experienced.
Protective of businesses she patronized.
She knew the names of luxury brands, hotel managers, private bankers, and restaurant owners.
She believed money gave people responsibility.
She also believed people who had earned respect deserved special treatment.
Over the years, Bellmont & Rowe had given her plenty.
Her favorite fitting room was always available.
Her alterations were rushed.
Her purchases were delivered to her apartment.
Once, after complaining about a handbag strap, she received a replacement without being asked to return the original.
She had spent a fortune.
She believed that made her important.