People stood beneath the hanging signs for deposits and lending services, talking softly and checking the time. A woman bounced a sleepy toddler on her hip. Two contractors in dusty boots compared invoices. The ordinary bustle gave Loretta courage, though she noticed how quickly her hands became cold when she saw Harlon through the glass wall of his office.
Nina greeted her with a look that was equal parts relief and alarm. "Mrs. Johnson. Good morning."
"Good morning, Miss Alvarez. I have copies of the settlement documents, and I need to resolve the restriction on my account."
Nina took the folder. "I can look up the status."
Her fingers moved across the keyboard. The account loaded, then a warning box appeared, bright enough to draw her eye even before she read the text. MANAGEMENT-LEVEL FRAUD REVIEW.
NO TELLER RELEASE. REFER TO BRANCH MANAGER. Beneath it was a coded entry that Nina recognized immediately. Harlon had used that code on cases he wanted ordinary staff to keep away from.
"Is there an actual allegation?" Loretta asked. "Something I can respond to?"
"The system says the review was initiated yesterday afternoon," Nina said carefully. "I'm trying to open the supporting note."
The screen returned an access-denied message. She tried a different approved path. It failed as well. In the reflection of the glass partition, she saw Harlon stand from his desk.
"Mrs. Johnson," he called, already smiling. "Again?"
He approached with a small audience forming around them. Nina withdrew her hand from the keyboard as though it had been burned. Loretta laid the folder flat.
"Your office contacted me about a restriction," she said. "I am here to request the reason in writing."
"We've already explained your situation. Certain accounts require more careful attention."
"What is different about mine?"
"Well, for one thing, a very questionable check."
"You destroyed that check without contacting the issuing bank."
A contractor at the end of the line turned his head. Harlon straightened his tie, a precise movement Nina had seen too often. Barnes immediately left his post and came closer. Loretta noticed the connection this time: the tie, the guard, the sudden pressure in a room where she had done nothing but ask a question.
"Please lower your voice," Harlon said loudly enough for everyone to hear. "We cannot allow disruptive customers to interfere with the work of this bank."
"I am speaking at a normal volume."
"You appear upset. Perhaps you ought to sit down until you're more composed."
Loretta looked at him steadily. "I am upset. That does not make my account suspicious."
Nina almost smiled at the precision of the answer, but her relief lasted only a second. Harlon turned to her. "Have you processed anything for Mrs. Johnson?"
"No, sir. I attempted to review the supporting documentation for the hold."
"And I expressly told you not to."
"The customer is entitled to a reason for the restriction. I was trying to find the approved notice."
"One more word," he said, "and you can collect your personal belongings."