"Is Mrs. Bennett safe?" "She's standing right next to me." "Put Crawford on." Nathan turned the phone toward Gerald.
Gerald stared at it like it was a live grenade placed gently in his palm.
"Gerald," Harrison's voice filled the lobby, "do not speak. Do not explain. Do not apologize. Stay exactly where you are."
"I am leaving my office now. I will be there in 20 minutes. If you say one more word to Mrs. Bennett or her family before I arrive, you will not have a career to discuss by the time I walk through the door. Nod if you understand."
Gerald nodded. Then he realized he was on a phone call. "Yes, sir," he whispered. Nathan ended the call. He closed the folio.
He turned to Officer Daniels.
"Officers, thank you for responding. You'll find that no crime has been committed by my client. If you'd like to remain on scene until the CEO arrives, you're welcome to. I'd actually prefer it. Witnesses are useful."
Daniels nodded. He looked at Sylvia. Something moved across his face. Not shame exactly, but its close cousin.
"Ma'am, I apologize for any inconvenience." Sylvia looked at him. She didn't nod. She didn't smile. She just looked at him until he felt the full weight of the word inconvenience and everything it failed to cover.
Rick Tanner exhaled. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath. He looked at Sylvia and mouthed two words, "I'm sorry." Victoria Lane lowered her phone. The recording was still running, but her smirk was gone.
In its place was something pale and uncertain, the face of a woman who had just realized the video she recorded might end her, too. Gerald Crawford stood behind the counter. His hands hung at his sides. His Rolex still ticked. His career did not.
Harrison Cole arrived in 18 minutes. He drove himself. A silver Mercedes pulled into the spot nearest the entrance, and a man in his late 50s stepped out, buttoning his jacket as he crossed the sidewalk. Tall, lean, gray at the temples. His face carried no expression.
That was worse than anger. Anger can be bargained with. Blankness cannot. The glass door opened. Harrison walked straight to Sylvia.
He took her hand in both of his. "Mrs. Bennett, on behalf of Piedmont National Banking Group, I am profoundly sorry for what happened to you today. There is no excuse. There will be no excuse."