“I know. That’s why your kindness meant so much.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
I asked whether she’d ever noticed suspicious activity at the hostess counter.
She admitted she’d once questioned Madison about an unusual device, but had been told it was backup equipment.
Shortly afterward, Kyle began criticizing her for offering complimentary coffee or helping customers.
“He kept threatening to fire me,” she said. “I thought I was just bad at my job.”
“You weren’t,” I told her.
And I meant it.
The following morning, I began contacting customers who might have been affected.
Detective Vance provided information that could appropriately be shared while the investigation continued.
Working with the relevant parties, I started reaching out to longtime regulars.
Some were furious.
Others were confused.
A few hadn’t noticed unauthorized charges.
One man told me he’d spent weeks fighting with his bank after losing more than a thousand dollars.
