You okay to answer a few questions? He swallowed. Yeah. Name? Davis prompted.
Malik. Malik Johnson. Davis nodded and crouched slightly. What brings you here today? He lifted the pouch.
I'm buying this for my mom's birthday. I left a deposit. Bennett glanced at the associate who nodded. No complaints, no hint of wrongdoing. But outside, Laura Whitmore lingered by the fountain, phone pressed to her ear, describing every detail.
The hoodie. The way he looked at the jewelry. Officer Davis flipped through his report. You came alone. She doesn't know.
Malik asked softly. "Who?" "My mom." The words came with unintended bitterness. He closed his eyes, tasting shame.
Bennett asked for ID. Malik handed over his student card, blue with the campus seal and a photo he barely recognized. She jotted details. The assistant manager says you've done nothing wrong. The associate called, voice low.
I'm sorry you were inconvenienced. Malik managed to nod. He'd expected awkwardness, but not public spectacle, not his mother's son reduced to profile and suspicion. The officers conferred in low tones. Then Bennett handed back his card.
All right, you're free to go. Sorry for the inconvenience. He exhaled, straightened his shoulders. Still something in his gut knotted tight. He turned to leave, but then a presence filled the doorway.
Malik's breath caught. A tall woman, dark suit tailored to authority, stepped inside like the room parted for her. Badge clipped to her belt bore the seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Malik, she said, voice low but firm. He froze.
Are you all right? He blinked, disbelief pinching his chest. Mom. Special Agent Monica Reed smiled once, sharp and loving all at once. Even the officer stepped back, hats in hand.
Laura Whitmore took a half step backward, phone slipping in her grasp. Mom's calm radiated power. What happened? She asked Davis. He opened his mouth, then closed it.
"Someone called and said I was casing a jewelry store?" Malik whispered more to himself than to her. She turned to Laura. "Were you the one who called?" Laura's face drained color.
I... I thought he was I didn't see a transaction. He looked nervous. He was buying a gift for his mother. Monica said, "You assumed his intentions before you knew his story."
Laura's voice wavered. "I'm sorry." Monica Reed folded her arms. "I understand caution, but next time remember that fear is not evidence." Malik exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding.