“I’ll be at the branch when it opens.”
“All right. One moment while I review the list.”
I waited, looking at James’s photograph again.
This time, I did not ask him what he would say. I knew.
When the woman came back, her voice had changed. It was still polite, but there was a note in it now, the kind bank people get when they realize a routine request is actually a family earthquake.
“Mrs. Wembley, I’ve placed temporary suspensions on all active items associated with your profile. For your records, there are one hundred seventy-four recurring payments, reimbursements, transfers, and scheduled drafts affected.”
One hundred seventy-four.
The number landed in my chest like a weight.
One hundred seventy-four ways my money had been leaving me and finding them.
The woman asked if I wanted a confirmation emailed and printed for pickup in the morning.
“Yes,” I said. “Please.”
After I hung up, I sat very still.
Then I picked my phone back up and opened Garrett’s message again.
You weren’t invited to dinner. My wife doesn’t want you there.
I typed my answer in one sentence.
Okay. Then you and Marissa can start paying your own way.
I sent it, turned the phone off, and carried the folder back to the desk.