Chapter 3: The Video They Tried to Erase
The woman in the recording was named Evelyn Brooks.
She was seventy-two years old.
Three weeks earlier, she had entered Sterling Crown Mall to purchase a birthday present for her granddaughter.
She wore a navy cardigan, comfortable shoes, and carried a small handbag.
She had been standing near the same entrance when Victoria approached her.
The video had no sound, but the movements were unmistakable.
Victoria pointed toward the doors.
Evelyn shook her head.
Victoria stepped closer.
Then the manager snatched one of the shopping bags from Evelyn's hand and dropped it onto the floor.
A perfume bottle rolled across the marble.
Evelyn bent to retrieve it.
Victoria walked away.
I covered my mouth.
"She did that to an elderly woman?""
Robert nodded.
"That's not all.""
He swiped to another recording.
A young Black father stood near the elevator with a toddler.
Victoria approached him, pointed at the child's stroller, and gestured toward the exit.
The father appeared confused.
He showed her something on his phone.
She shook her head.
Then Daniel stepped between the man and the elevator.
They were eventually escorted out.
I turned toward Dad.
"How long has this been happening?""
He looked at Robert.
"Why wasn't I informed?""
Robert shifted uncomfortably.
"Some complaints were categorized as customer disputes. Others were closed by the operations department before reaching corporate.""
Dad's voice became colder.
"Who closed them?""
Robert looked down.
"Victoria Hayes.""
The room went silent.
I glanced at the footage again.
"She was doing this because she thought nobody could stop her.""
Dad nodded slowly.
"That is exactly what I intend to investigate.""
A knock interrupted us.
A young woman entered.
She wore a black mall uniform and had a small employee badge attached to her shirt.
Her name was Tasha Williams.
She looked nervous.
"Mr. Carter?""
Dad turned.
"Yes?""
"I'm sorry to interrupt. I heard what happened to Ms. Carter.""
I looked at her.
"Do you work here?""
She nodded.
"Customer services. I've worked here for two years.""
Dad gestured toward an empty chair.
"Please sit down.""
Tasha remained standing.
"I need to tell you something about Victoria.""
Robert exchanged a glance with Dad.
"Go ahead," Dad said.
Tasha took a breath.
"She has a rule.""
"What rule?""
"She tells security to watch certain customers. People she thinks don't look like they belong in the luxury stores.""
My chest tightened.
Tasha continued.
"She calls them low-value traffic.""
I stared at her.
"She actually says that?""
Tasha nodded.
"Yes. She says the mall has a particular image to maintain. If someone looks poor, dresses casually, or spends too long in one place, she tells security to move them along.""
Dad's fingers tightened around the tablet.
"Who gave her permission to do that?""
"Nobody, sir. But she's the manager.""
Tasha hesitated.
"There's something else.""
Dad leaned forward.
"What?""
"She keeps a private list.""
Robert frowned.
"What kind of list?""
Tasha glanced toward the door.
"Customers she's had removed. She calls it the disruption report.""
I looked at Dad.
"Why would she keep something like that?""
Tasha's eyes filled with tears.
"Because she thinks it proves she's doing her job.""
Dad slowly stood.
"Can you get us that report?""
"I don't have access anymore. She changed the permissions last month.""
"Who does?""
Tasha looked down.
"Daniel.""
At that moment, Robert's radio crackled.
"Security control to Robert Ellis. We have a situation at the main entrance.""
Robert pressed the button.
"Go ahead.""
"Mr. Price is attempting to leave the building with a laptop bag. He says he's finished his shift.""
Dad turned toward the radio.
"Stop him.""
Robert hesitated.
"Sir?""
"Tell security to preserve the property and request that he remain available for questioning. Do not use force.""
Robert relayed the instructions.
I looked at Tasha.
"Is he trying to destroy evidence?""
She shook her head.
"I don't know.""
Dad picked up his phone.
"Call corporate legal. I want an independent investigator here. I also want a copy of every complaint, disciplinary action, and security report involving Victoria Hayes and Daniel Price.""
He paused.
"And notify our human resources director. Nobody is to alter or delete another file.""
Robert nodded and left.
Tasha finally sat down.
She looked exhausted.
"Mr. Carter, I tried to report this before.""
Dad turned toward her.
"Why didn't you come directly to me?""
She gave a sad laugh.
"Because people like me don't get meetings with people like you.""
Her words landed harder than she probably intended.
Dad sat back down.
"You're right.""
Tasha looked surprised.
He continued.
"I built a company large enough that people can hide behind its name. I should have made it easier for employees to tell me when something was wrong.""
He looked directly at her.
"That changes today.""
For the first time, Tasha seemed to relax.
Then her phone vibrated.
She checked the screen.
Her face immediately changed.
"What's wrong?"" I asked.
She showed us a message.
It was from an unknown number.
*STOP TALKING TO THE CARTERS. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING YOURSELF INTO.*
Tasha's hands began shaking.
Dad took a photograph of the message.
"Did Victoria send this?""
"I don't know.""
Another message appeared.
This one was worse.
*WE KNOW WHERE YOUR MOTHER LIVES.*
Tasha gasped.
I stood immediately.
"That's a threat.""
Dad's expression turned hard.
"Robert!""
The door opened.
Robert returned with two security officers.
"Sir?""
"Make sure Ms. Williams is escorted safely home when she's ready. Preserve those messages. Notify legal and law enforcement.""
"Understood.""
Dad turned to Tasha.
"You will not be punished for telling the truth. I promise you that.""
Tasha nodded, wiping her eyes.
But I wasn't thinking about Victoria anymore.
I was thinking about the fact that someone had threatened an employee's family to protect a mall manager.
That wasn't just arrogance.
It was something much darker.
Dad's phone rang.
He answered.
"Marcus Carter.""
A man's voice came through loudly enough for me to hear part of it.
"Mr. Carter, this is Daniel Price. I need to speak with you immediately.""
Dad's eyes narrowed.
"Where are you?""
"Security office.""
"What do you want?""
Daniel hesitated.
"There's something you need to know about Ms. Hayes.""
Dad remained silent.
Daniel lowered his voice.
"She didn't act alone today.""
I stepped closer.
Dad looked at me.
Then Daniel said something that made the room go completely still.
"Mr. Carter, Victoria was told your daughter was coming to the mall today.""
My heart stopped.
Dad's voice dropped.
"Who told her?""
There was a long pause.
Then Daniel answered.
"Your daughter's name was on a list that came directly from the executive office.""
I looked at my father.
His face had gone pale.
Because if Daniel was telling the truth, then Victoria hadn't simply mistaken me for an ordinary customer.
May you like
Someone had known exactly who I was.
And someone had arranged for her to be waiting at that entrance.