"I already told you what I saw."
"You told me you didn't see anyone suspicious."
"That's right."
"What about deliveries?"
Eli shook his head. "Wasn't watching for them."
"Someone using the restroom?"
"I don't keep track of people going to the restroom."
"Anyone near the register when Maya stepped away?"
Eli paused. "I don't remember."
Brett nodded. "So, something could have been left here without you noticing."
Eli looked irritated. "Anything could happen if you ask the question that way."
"I'm trying to establish possibilities."
"No," Eli said. "You're trying to make every answer useful to you."
Brett's jaw tightened. He turned to Daniel. "What about you?"
Daniel leaned back. "What about me?"
"Did Maya leave the counter while you were here?"
"Yes."
"Where did she go?"
"I don't know. Kitchen, maybe."
"How long?"
"I didn't time her."
"Did anyone approach the counter while she was gone?"
Daniel looked across the room as he tried to remember. "Not that I noticed."
"'Not that you noticed,'" Brett repeated.
Daniel exhaled. "You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Turning normal uncertainty into suspicion."
Brett took a step closer. "You're an insurance adjuster. You know how investigations work. Details matter."
"They do. So does context."
"Then give me context."
Daniel looked at Maya, then Ruth. "I came in for dinner. She took my order. I ate. You came in. Everything unusual started after that."
Brett stared at him; Daniel did not look away.
Caleb spoke from the rear booth. "You've asked everyone except the person you claim brought the property here."
Brett turned toward him. "I've asked her plenty."
"No. You've accused her plenty."
Brett walked toward Caleb. "You seem very interested in how I do my job."
Caleb remained seated. "I'm interested in whether you're doing it."
Brett stopped beside the booth. "You want to test that?"
"No."
"Then keep your opinions to yourself."
Caleb looked at the badge still resting on the counter. "You put your authority in the middle of the room. People are going to have opinions about how you use it."
Brett's eyes narrowed.
Maya spoke before he could answer. "If you really want the property, call your supervisor."
Brett turned. "Why?"
"Because you've already admitted it's department property. If it matters enough to threaten everyone here, it matters enough to document properly."
"I don't need you to explain my job."
"No, but you do need to explain why you're doing this alone."
Brett walked back toward her. "Maybe I'm giving you a chance."