“I checked the account.”
Lawrence nodded.
“Good.”
“I also checked the branch manager’s preliminary incident entry.”
Lawrence’s eyes narrowed.
“He already filed one?”
“Yes.”
“What does it say?”
Patricia looked toward Wesley.
“We’ll discuss that inside.”
Lawrence took Wesley’s hand.
The boy hesitated.
Then held tighter.
They walked toward the doors.
Patricia beside them.
Wesley’s heartbeat became so loud he could hear it.
The glass doors opened.
The lobby quieted.
Bradley saw Patricia first.
Every trace of confidence disappeared.
He straightened his tie.
Then moved quickly.
“Ms. Edwards.”
He smiled too broadly.
“What a wonderful surprise.”
Patricia did not smile.
Bradley continued:
“We weren't expecting the regional visit until next week.”
“Plans changed.”
Then Bradley saw Lawrence.
His eyes moved over the suit.
Watch.
Posture.
The recognition came slowly.
He knew the face from investor reports.
Annual meetings.
Financial press.
Lawrence Brooks.
Founder.
CEO of Meridian Capital Holdings.
Bradley’s stomach dropped.
Then he saw Wesley’s hand inside Lawrence’s.
The manager’s face changed completely.
Lawrence noticed.
“So.”
His voice was calm.
“You recognize me.”
Bradley swallowed.
“Mr. Brooks.”
“I believe you've already met my nephew.”
Silence.
Chelsea stopped typing.
Jerome had returned from the back.
He froze.
Diane stood near the entrance.
Her hand covered her mouth.
Bradley looked toward Wesley.
The boy stood straight this time.
Eyes still red.
Shoes still worn.
Same child.
Everything Bradley considered important had changed only because of who stood beside him.
Wesley noticed that.
It would matter later.
Bradley forced words out.
“There appears to have been a misunderstanding.”
Lawrence looked toward Patricia.
“Was there?”
Patricia’s voice was flat.
“No.”
Bradley’s face tightened.
Lawrence stepped closer.
“My nephew entered this branch to check an account balance.”
“Yes.”
“He provided the card.”
Bradley nodded.
“Documents?”
“Yes.”
“School identification?”
“Yes, but—”
“Was the account real?”
Bradley looked toward Patricia.
She answered:
“Yes.”
Lawrence continued:
“Was his name on it?”
Patricia:
“Yes.”
“Was there any fraud alert?”
“No.”
“Any stolen-card report?”
“No.”
“Any reason to publicly accuse him?”
Bradley’s mouth opened.
No answer.
Lawrence remained calm.
“That is strange.”
Bradley swallowed.
“His appearance raised concerns.”
The sentence escaped before he realized what he had admitted.