“I have money.”
“That’s good.”
“I have plenty of money.”
“Okay.”
“Why does everyone keep saying ‘okay’ like I’m lying?”
Daniel glanced at Mark.
Then at Cassandra.
“I don’t think anyone said you’re lying.”
“You’re implying it.”
“No.”
Cassandra looked toward the gate.
Flight 608.
Boarding in twenty-one minutes.
“I need to leave.”
Daniel shook his head.
“Not yet.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Am I detained?”
Daniel had heard that question hundreds of times.
“Right now, we’re investigating a dispute over an unpaid restaurant bill.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“You need to stay here until we sort this out.”
“So I’m detained.”
“Yes.”
Cassandra pulled her phone up.
“Say that again.”
Daniel saw the camera.
“That’s fine. You can record.”
“I want you to say I’m being detained over sixty dollars.”
“You’re being detained while we investigate a possible theft-of-service complaint.”
Cassandra’s mouth opened.
“Theft?”
Daniel continued.
“If you pay, that may resolve the entire situation.”
“I have been trying.”
“Good. Then let’s do that.”
“Your tone is condescending.”
Daniel looked at Mark.
“What payment options can she use?”
“Card. Cash. Apple Pay. Someone else can pay.”
The man in the red tracksuit had wandered closer.
He lifted a hand.
“I mean, if it’s really just sixty bucks, I can pay.”
Cassandra turned toward him.
“No.”
He shrugged.
“I’m just saying.”
“I don’t need you to pay.”
“Okay.”
“Do not say okay.”
The man stepped back.
“Never mind.”
Daniel looked at Cassandra.
“Do you have anyone you can call?”
“I do not need someone to rescue me.”
“No one said rescue.”
“You’re treating me like some homeless person who ate dinner and can’t afford it.”
Daniel’s expression remained neutral.
“I’m treating this as an unpaid bill.”
“I am a business owner.”
“Okay.”
Cassandra closed her eyes.
“There. Again.”
Daniel waited.
“I have a real-estate company.”
“That doesn’t change the bill.”
“I didn’t say it does.”
“You brought it up.”
Cassandra stared.
Mark looked down to hide his expression.
She noticed him.
“You think this is funny too?”
“No.”
“You people have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
Daniel spoke immediately.
“That’s not going to help.”
Cassandra turned toward him.
“What?”
“You don’t want to start making this about who you are.”
“You don’t know me.”
“Exactly.”
“I have an audience.”
“That’s fine.”
“I know people.”
“That’s fine.”
“My attorney handles situations like this.”