Page 31 of Then Came You

Thankfully, Sam offered up some alternatives. “We could call their parents and let them know what happened. Or we could give them a warning and let them leave. Either way, if they’re caught shoplifting again, it’s well within your right to prosecute.”

Prosecute? The word sounded so ominous when he said it, but of course, that was the point.

Gillian looked between the two young women and wondered what it would be like not to have enough money for books. She couldn’t fathom it. They could have used the library, but maybe the book Maddie needed hadn’t been there. Alternatively, this could all be part of an elaborate ruse. The girls might have planned this entire act in the event they were caught. If that were the case, Maddie must have taken acting lessons from Meryl Streep to be this good.

“Can you prove that you’re a college student?” Gillian asked, having come up with an idea.

Maddie looked her right in the eye and nodded. “I have my student ID and class schedule in my purse.”

“Can you show me, please?”

Gillian locked eyes with Sam as Maddie dug through her purse, and he gave her a slight nod.

“Here.” Maddie handed Gillian her ID card and a wrinkled sheet of paper that was her schedule.

Gillian perused them and confirmed that Maddie was registered for a literature class. Then she handed the items back. “Which book did you need?”

Maddie eyed her warily. “Madame Bovary. It was checked out at the library.”

“Be right back.” Gillian walked out of the office and went into the shop. Lauren and Savannah were huddled together, talking quietly, and there on the counter was the copy of Madame Bovary that Maddie had been trying to steal.

“What’s going on?” Savannah asked when Gillian picked up the book.

“I’ll fill you in after they leave.”

When she returned to the office, book in hand, three sets of eyes were upon her, but she addressed Maddie.

“Like Officer Nichols said, shoplifting is a crime, and I don’t want it happening in my store.”

Maddie nodded emphatically, and Gwen just stared at her.

“However, I believe you when you say you’ve never done this before, and I’m willing to let you go with a warning. If it happens again, I won’t be so accommodating.”

“Thank you, thank you!” Maddie said. Gwen kept silent.

“If you give me your word that you won’t try this again, here or anywhere else, I’ll give you this copy of Madame Bovary.”

A tear slipped down Maddie’s cheek, and Gillian struggled to hold back her own tears.

“Ohmigod. I promise. Thank you so, so much.”

Gillian handed her the book, and Maddie slipped it into her purse.

Both girls started to rise, but Sam held up his hand. “Not so fast.”

Uh-oh. Are we playing good cop, bad cop now?

He rose and placed his hands on his hips, looking formidable in the small space. “You have to give me your word too. If there’s a next time, you won’t be so lucky.”

“I promise, sir. I mean, officer, sir,” Maddie said immediately.

Gillian’s lips twitched at her awkward use of his title.

“Gwen?” he said, turning his attention to the reticent girl beside Maddie.

“You won’t see me again,” Gwen said firmly.

Interesting choice of words. Did that mean she wouldn’t try stealing again or that she wouldn’t get caught? Gillian pondered that as the girls quickly left the room.