He read the name.
"Camille Carter."
"Yes."
He looked at the address.
Then at her.
Something about the name seemed familiar.
But he couldn't remember why.
He looked at the store manager.
"Do you know her?"
Martin opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Before he could answer, footsteps thundered down the marble staircase.
Someone was running.
And the entire store turned.
The man running down the staircase was Jonathan Hale.
Regional President of Bellmont & Rowe.
He was fifty-one years old and rarely hurried.
That afternoon, he ran.
His jacket was unbuttoned.
His tie was loose.
His face had lost all color.
He reached the bottom step and looked across the store.
His eyes found Camille.
"Ms. Carter."
Nobody moved.
Jonathan walked rapidly toward her.
"I'm sorry."
Camille said nothing.
Jonathan looked at Officer Reed.
Then at Evelyn.
Then at Martin.
His voice became very quiet.
"Why is the owner of Bellmont & Rowe standing here with a police officer?"
The silence was absolute.
Evelyn blinked.
"The owner?"
Jonathan nodded.
"Yes."
He turned toward Camille.
"Ms. Carter owns the company."
Evelyn stared at Camille.
"No."
Jonathan looked at her.
"Yes."
"That's impossible."
Camille finally spoke.
"Why?"
Evelyn's mouth opened.
No answer came.
Jonathan continued.
"Camille Carter founded Bellmont & Rowe. She is the majority shareholder and chairwoman of the board."
Reed looked at Camille.
Then at the three dresses.
Then at Martin.
Martin looked sick.
Camille didn't appear triumphant.
She appeared tired.
"Jonathan."
"Yes?"
"How long have you been here?"
"About twenty minutes."
"And you knew I was downstairs?"
"No."
"Then how did you come down?"
Jonathan swallowed.
"Security called my office. They said there was a police incident."
Camille nodded.
"Interesting."
She turned toward Martin.
"You knew there was no theft."
Martin looked down.
"Yes."
"You allowed a customer to call the police on another customer."
Martin swallowed.
"Yes."
"And you never verified the accusation."
"No."
Camille looked at Evelyn.
Evelyn was still frozen.
Then Camille asked the question that nobody expected.
"Why?"
Evelyn finally found her voice.
"I was trying to protect the store."
Camille nodded slowly.
"From what?"
Evelyn looked at her.
"I thought you were stealing."
"Based on what?"
"You were carrying three dresses."
"Inside the store."
"You were near the entrance."
"Because there is a window there."
"You were looking at the security cameras."
Camille paused.
Then she said:
"I was inspecting them."
Jonathan's eyes widened.
Martin looked confused.
"Inspecting them?"
Camille nodded.
"Because I approved the renovation."
Jonathan understood immediately.
"The camera near the fitting rooms."
"Wrong angle."
"The emergency corridor."
"Blocked."
Jonathan closed his eyes briefly.
Camille continued.
"I came here because I wanted to see how the store operates when nobody knows I'm coming."
She looked around.
"I've learned enough."
Reed slowly put his notebook away.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Carter."
Camille looked at him.
"You were responding to a call."
"I understand."
"But you didn't ask enough questions."
Reed didn't argue.
"I should have."
Camille nodded.
Then she turned toward Martin.
"Call the store leadership team."
Martin's face drained.
"Now?"
"Now."
She pointed toward the three dresses.
"And leave those exactly where they are."
Nobody understood why.
But Camille did.
Because she wanted everyone to remember the image.
Three dresses.
One accusation.
And a woman nobody bothered to know.
The meeting began at 5:03 p.m.
The store had been closed to new customers.
Employees stood in small groups.
Nobody spoke loudly.
Camille sat at a small table near the center of the sales floor.
Jonathan stood beside her.
Martin sat across from them.
Evelyn had been asked to remain if she wished to explain her actions.
She stayed.
Officer Reed had already left.
But before leaving, he gave Camille his card.
"Please contact me if you need a report."
Camille thanked him.
Now she looked at Martin.
"Tell me what happened."
Martin described the events.
Camille listened.
She did not interrupt.
When he finished, she asked:
"At what point did you believe there was evidence of theft?"
Martin looked uncomfortable.
"There wasn't."
"Then why didn't you stop the call?"
He remained silent.
Camille leaned back.
"Martin."
"I was afraid."
"Of what?"
"Of Mrs. Whitmore."
Evelyn's face hardened.
"You make me sound unreasonable."
Martin looked at her.
"You've gotten people fired."
"I complained."
"You threatened corporate."