Public Shame, Private Triumph

loud at Bella Ha

of the room, a glass

someone important. She owned this whole restaurant c

e, walked up to me. He always loo

, his voice sharp. "En

I just wanted th

oser. "Where

asked. "What are

ery expensive. It' s gone. I wa

ud. People st

ave your wat

know anything about it? A struggling c

ed. He knew

in your cheap bag,

grabbed my messenger bag.

are you

I was too shocked. He ri

t and turned

worn wallet, a spare a

rescription receipts. White paper

asped. Whis

ered, pointing at t

ur watch. Check the security cameras fr

hed. A cold

ver, her smile gone

g here?" she aske

Julian told her. "Or, more

"Ms. Hayes, the main camera in th

ged? How convenient. Walker mus

to call the police. They can fingerprint the lounge,

ow, now. For Bella' s sake, let' s not involve the poli

aging through my s

atch. "Well, what do you know?

it in front

ed at

me, then at the scattered med

she said, her voice low, almost

art s

ntinued, louder now for the crow

"With your mother' s expenses... people m

peration. She t

t me harder

irked, vi

stared. Some with pit

hief in t

I loved, had ju