Sarah Kim, who chaired the board's communications committee, pulled up her phone. "Local stations have it. One cable business network has requested comment. The clip of 'people like you' is moving fastest."
"Of course it is," Williams said.
Sterling folded his hands. "Mr. Webb."
Webb looked up.
"You will have an opportunity to explain. But understand the question I am asking first. Did Dr. Richardson threaten you or any employee?"
"No, sir."
"Did she raise her voice?"
"No."
"Did she refuse a request for identification?"
Webb's eyes flicked toward Lisa.
"I didn't ask her for identification."
Sterling's mouth tightened.
"Did she attempt to enter a restricted area?"
"No."
"Did she interfere with another customer?"
"No."
"Did she say anything that a reasonable person could interpret as threatening before you ordered security to remove her?"
A long pause.
"No."
The answer seemed to shrink him in the chair.
Amelia did not look satisfied. She looked tired.
"Mr. Webb," she said, "what was the first mistake you made?"
He cleared his throat. "I didn't recognize you."
She shook her head once.
"Try again."
His cheeks reddened.
"I assumed you didn't have legitimate business."
"Based on what?"
"I don't know."
Williams leaned forward. "You do know. You may not like saying it. That is different."
Webb glanced around the table. Every person there represented some form of authority he had wanted to impress during his career. None looked impressed now.
"I made an assumption about who belonged in the bank," he said.
"Based on what?" Amelia repeated.
He stared at his hands.
"Based on appearance."
"Which part?"
His silence answered more than his words could.
Williams did not let him hide inside it.