Because she could feel the story changing around her.
She had entered as a customer.
She had paid as a customer.
Now, without a single new fact, she was being treated like a suspect.
“What exactly happened between my payment being approved and me walking toward the door?”
Diane said nothing.
Camille waited.
No answer.
That was when Diane called police.
Officer Frank Delaney and Officer Lucas Bennett arrived six minutes later.
By then, several customers had moved closer.
Emily stood behind the counter looking miserable.
One security guard remained near Camille while the second spoke quietly with Diane.
Delaney entered first.
“What’s going on?”
Diane stepped toward him.
“We have a customer attempting to leave with high-value merchandise that may not properly belong to her.”
Camille turned sharply.
“May not belong to me?”
Diane ignored her.
“There was an unusual transaction.”
Delaney looked toward Camille.
“Ma’am, do you have proof of purchase?”
Camille held up the receipt.
“I have had proof of purchase since before your department was called.”
He took it.
The receipt clearly listed the bracelet.
Date.
Time.
Transaction number.
Payment authorization.
Employee number.
Everything.
Delaney looked toward Diane.
“Was this card declined?”
“No.”
“Was there a chargeback?”
“Not that we know of.”
“Was the bracelet reported missing?”
Diane hesitated.
“No.”
Delaney frowned.
“Then what happened?”
“We became concerned.”
Officer Bennett looked at her.
“About what?”
Diane crossed her arms.
“The circumstances.”
Camille almost smiled.
“The circumstances being that I bought something?”
Diane looked toward her.
“You were very eager to leave.”
Camille stared.
“I was finished shopping.”
“You moved quickly toward the entrance.”
“There were approximately fifteen feet between the counter and the door.”
“You seemed nervous.”
Camille’s expression changed.
“I became nervous after two security guards appeared.”
Officer Bennett lowered his eyes.
Delaney inspected the receipt again.
Then asked Emily to verify it.
Emily stepped forward.
Her voice was quiet.
“I processed the sale.”
“Any problem?”
“No.”
“Payment approved?”
“Yes.”
“Customer concealed anything?”
“No.”
“Attempt to leave before paying?”
“No.”
Diane cut in.
“That is not the whole issue.”
Delaney looked at her.
“What is the whole issue?”
Diane opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Camille watched her.
So did everyone else.
Finally, Diane said, “Something about the transaction felt wrong.”
Camille looked down at her receipt.
Then back up.
“Feeling is not evidence.”
Delaney raised one hand.
“Let us handle this.”