He knew he could end the matter by calling the bank's corporate secretary, producing his executive credentials, or walking toward the private elevator upstairs. He had done some version of that before when doors unexpectedly closed in his face. But a question stopped him: what would Marcus do to someone without those options? The legitimate purpose of the visit was to deposit a check, and David would not pretend that an ordinary transaction required a private introduction to his own employees.
"Please call the issuing office," he said again, this time slowly enough that no one could misunderstand. "You can hold the deposit while you verify it. I am not asking you to waive a single safeguard." Marcus shook his head, his cheeks beginning to redden. What had started as suspicion had become a public contest over who would be allowed to define reality, and he was unwilling to lose it.
"I know what I'm looking at," Marcus said. He turned toward the nearest customers as though inviting them to serve as a jury. "A two-million-dollar forgery carried in by someone who thinks we are stupid enough to cash it." The small crowd grew larger. Two customers raised their phones; another asked Sarah whether the bank planned to call the police.
Sarah tried one more time. "Marcus, we haven't completed the verification, and destroying or withholding an instrument isn't part of our fraud procedure." Her voice was controlled, but the concern in it was unmistakable. He looked at her with an expression that promised a private reprimand later. "Stand back, Sarah. This is precisely why I am the manager and you are not."
David glanced at the clock. It was approaching 2:45, leaving enough time for a telephone verification if anyone had wanted one. His board meeting would begin at three, and the regional manager was expecting a conversation about exactly this branch's service culture. The absurdity of the coincidence might have amused him under other circumstances. At that moment, it frightened him more than it amused him, because he had begun to understand how easily a person could be accused without evidence when everyone around the accuser was afraid to disagree.
"I'll ask once more," David said. "Return the check and my identification so the proper team can review them." Marcus looked at the document and then at the eyes watching him. Instead of returning it, he reached inside his suit jacket for a slim silver lighter. The movement startled Sarah, who knew he sometimes carried it even though the building prohibited smoking. She had no reason to expect what he intended to do with it.