All in all, Priest looked suspicious, and if the security guard could read the thoughts running through Priest’s head, he likely would call the cops regardless of the fact Priest wasn’t there to rob the place.
When it was his and Robbie’s turn, Priest walked up to the teller and Robbie stood off to the side.
“Good morning, sir,” the teller said. “How can I help you today?”
“Morning,” Priest said, trying to appear much calmer than he felt. No need to alarm the young lady or draw any more unwanted attention to himself. “I’d like to make a rather substantial withdrawal from my account today. Is Mr. Horowitz available?”
“Of course. If I could just get your name, I can let him know that you’re here.”
“Thank you, I’d appreciate that. My name is Joel Priestley. My husband and I—” Priest faltered at the mention of Julien, but then coughed and covered it by pulling a business card from his wallet and putting it on the counter. “We worked with Mr. Horowitz when we opened our accounts here several months back. If he’s available, I would like to speak with him.”
“Certainly. Mr. Horowitz is here this morning. If you and your husband would like to take a seat, I’ll give him a quick call.”
Priest turned to see that Robbie’s mouth had fallen open, and he looked so disturbed that someone would mistake him as Julien that Priest had to say, “We’ll do that,” before Robbie corrected her innocent mistake.
Priest directed Robbie to the waiting area, and they took a seat. Robbie leaned in and said, “I’m sorry. She’s probably new and doesn’t remember you and Julien together, that’s all.”
“Robert?” Priest said.
“Yes?”
“What she just said didn’t upset me.”
“Oh, right. I mean, I didn’t think it would, but I want you to know I’d never try and take Julien’s place or—” Robbie clamped his lips shut, his eyes becoming so round that they seemed to cover his entire face. “God. I’m such an idiot. I’m going to shut up right now.”
“Please don’t,” Priest said, and touched a finger to Robbie’s lips. “You talking helps pass the time. It keeps my mind off…everything else.”
“Even when I’m making a fool out of myself?”
Priest nodded. “Even then.”
“Okay,” Robbie said, and then chewed on his lower lip. “I can talk.”
“This I know.”
A small smile tugged at Robbie’s lips as he looked around the massive columned interior of the bank and shook his head. “I have never been inside a bank like this.”
“A bank like this?”
“Yeah, you know, a fancy one where you can tell big, important transactions happen.” Robbie pursed his lips. “I probably don’t even have enough money to open an account here.”
“Yes, you do,” Priest said. “Anyone can open an account here. This is just the main branch. It’s where Mitchell & Madison has all its accounts, and when we moved out here, it seemed like the best option.”
“But look at the floors,” Robbie said, and then stared at the polished marble under his feet. “They’re so shiny I can see myself in them. I don’t feel properly dressed to be here.”
“You look more put together than I do this morning. Stop worrying. The only reason I came to this branch was because I know they’ll have the amount of money I need on hand—in cash. Not all places have that.”
Robbie licked at his lips. “How much money does he want?”
Priest rubbed a hand along his beard, and then looked Robbie in the eye. “Five hundred thousand.”
Robbie’s eyes bugged so wide that Priest thought they just might fall out of his head.
“And you’re just going to give him that?” As soon as he said it, Robbie rolled his eyes. “Of course you’re going to give it to him. It’s just money, and if it gets Julien back…”
“Right.” Priest’s jaw tightened, and just as he was about to say more, he heard, “Mr. Priestley?” behind him.
Priest got to his feet, and when he saw Lance Horowitz standing there, he held his hand out and said, “Yes. It’s good to see you again. Thank you for taking the time.”
“Of course. How can I help you out?” Lance said, and then his eyes shifted to Robbie, and Priest could see the questions there.
Who is this? Where is Julien? They were questions Priest wasn’t up to dealing with today, so he steered the conversation where he needed it to go.
“I’d like to discuss a withdrawal.”
“Very well,” Mr. Horowitz said. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you upstairs to my office and we can talk more there.”
Priest was about to agree when his phone started to ring, making Robbie startle. All night Priest had stared at the phone waiting for it to do something—anyfuckingthing—and as the chimes now sounded, Priest’s stomach rolled.
Julien’s name flashed across the screen. Priest plastered what he hoped was a neutral expression on his face and said, “Will you excuse me for just one minute? I have to take this call.”