Chapter 6 - THE MAN BEHIND THE DOOR
Elaine Foster entered first.
She was fifty-two, controlled and physically imposing without raising her voice.
Two executive security officers followed.
Behind them walked Alexander Robinson.
Daniel had seen him only in annual videos and shareholder events.
In person, the billionaire owner of the bank looked less theatrical than Daniel expected.
No entourage of assistants.
No dramatic anger.
Only a dark suit, silver at his temples and eyes fixed on the woman standing near the glass wall.
“Mom.”
The word crossed the lobby.
Every customer heard it.
Daniel stopped breathing.
Jessica covered her mouth.
Martha remained upright, though one hand pressed discreetly against her lower ribs.
Alexander crossed the marble floor.
He did not look at Daniel.
He reached his mother first.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m standing.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“My back took most of it.”
Elaine signaled to the medical officer entering behind them.
Martha shook her head.
“Preserve the evidence before anyone moves me.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
The sentence told him more than pain would have.
His mother was thinking like a survivor.
Planning before reacting.
Daniel stepped forward.
“Mr. Robinson, there has been a misunderstanding.”
Alexander finally looked at him.
“You kicked my mother.”
“She became aggressive.”
Marcus spoke before fear could stop him.
“No, sir.”
Everyone turned toward the guard.
Marcus swallowed.
“She did not threaten anyone. She asked them to verify the check.”
Daniel glared at him.
“You hesitated to intervene.”
Marcus looked at Martha.
Shame entered his face.
“Yes, sir. I did.”
Alexander turned to Elaine.
“Secure the branch.”
The entrance locks engaged.
No customer was allowed to leave until investigators collected witness information.
May you like
Daniel looked toward the glass office he had ruled fifteen minutes earlier.
It suddenly resembled a cage.
