Sarah was trembling. She backed away from the counter as if the terminal might explode.
Fannye laughed nervously. "See? It's a fraud alert! Arrest her!"
Heavy footsteps pounded against the carpeted floor.
A man in an impeccable charcoal suit ran onto the floor. He was sweating. It was Director Vance, the store manager who usually sat in a glass office on the top floor and never dealt with customers.
"Who triggered the Protocol?" Vance demanded, breathless. He looked panicked.
Fannye stepped forward, pointing a manicured finger at Elease.
"Director Vance! It's this beggar. She's trying to hack your system. She's Kason Stephens' ex-wife, she has no money!"
Vance ignored Fannye completely. He scanned the area.
His eyes landed on Elease. He saw the hoodie. He saw the scar.
Then he saw the phone in her hand. The screen was still displaying the simple, terrifying golden crest of the Protocol Zero authorization.
Vance's face lost all color. He recognized the symbol. Everyone in high-level finance and retail management knew the rumors of Protocol Zero-an override so powerful it could bankrupt nations, held by a handful of anonymous power brokers who moved the world's markets like chess pieces.
He rushed past Fannye, nearly knocking her over.
He stopped two feet from Elease.
He bowed.
It wasn't a nod. It was a deep, ninety-degree bow from the waist.
"Ma'am!" Vance said, his voice cracking. "I apologize for the delay! I did not know you were on the premises."
The entire floor went dead silent. Sloane's jaw dropped.
Fannye looked like she had been slapped. "Director? What are you doing? She's broke!"
Vance snapped his head up. He glared at Fannye with genuine fury.
"Silence!" he barked. "You are disturbing our most esteemed guest."
He turned back to Elease, his hands clasped in front of him, shaking slightly.
"How may I serve you, Ms...?" He trailed off. He didn't dare say a name. He didn't know if she was undercover.
"Finch," Elease said calmly. "But the bill goes to my private account. Not the family."
"Bill?" Vance looked horrified. "There is no bill. For anyone with Protocol Zero access, the entire store is at your disposal. A courtesy."
Elease raised an eyebrow. "I insist on paying. I don't like owing favors."
"Of course, of course," Vance stammered, wiping sweat from his forehead. "We will process it as a... symbolic transaction."
He snapped his fingers at Sarah. The sound was like a whip crack.
"Sarah! Get the suit! And the shoes! And the entire Fall collection in her size! Bring the champagne! Move!"
Sarah scrambled, pale as a ghost. "Yes, sir!"
Fannye was shaking with rage and confusion. Tears pricked her eyes. This was her store. This was her turf.
"This is a mistake!" Fannye shrieked. "I spend fifty thousand a year here! You can't treat me like this!"
Vance looked at Fannye coldly. He pulled a tablet from his pocket.
"Ms. Finch," Vance said, his tone icy. "Your account is currently flagged. 'Declined Credit' as of ten minutes ago."
Fannye grabbed her phone. There was a text message from Franklin.
Cards suspended. Come home now. We are in trouble.
Elease chuckled softly. It was a dark, amused sound.
"Looks like Daddy really is in trouble," she said.
Fannye looked at Elease with pure hatred. "You did this."
"I'm just shopping," Elease said innocently.
