“Name?” The clerk asked.
“Gillian and Paul Barnes.”
The woman looked at her computer. “I have a box for Paul Barnes.”
Gillian smiled. “That’s it.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. But you’re not listed on the box. I can’t let you in.”
“Paul Barnes is my husband. We’ve had joint accounts here. I’m sure Mr. Taylor could vouch for me.”
“But you’re not listed on his box or his other accounts.”
“He still has accounts here?” Why was she surprised?
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
Gillian took a deep breath. Was Paul honest about anything? “Listen, my husband is out of the country but needs something from his safety deposit box,” Gillian said forcefully.
The teller shook her head. “I can’t…”
“I have the key and a power of attorney.” She dug in her purse and handed her the document.
The woman frowned. “Oh, I see.”
“It’s very important. If there was any way my husband could be here himself, trust me he would. That’s why I drove all the way here. We live in Virginia now.”
“I see.” She still looked doubtful.
“He signed right here.” She pointed to Paul’s signature on the power of attorney he had to sign when he needed her to take care of his business documents while he was incarcerated. She was certain he never believed she’d be smart enough to use it against him. He always thought of her as a wilting flower without much brainpower. Well, she wasn’t wilting anymore.
“I’ll need to check with the manager.” The clerk took the power of attorney with her and walked into the office Mr. Taylor had disappeared into.
Nick joined her at the counter. “Is everything all right?”
“I guess we’ll see.”
The clerk came back. “Follow me, please,” she said and led her and Nick to the room full of safety deposit boxes. Gillian and the clerk both put their keys into the lock on the box belonging to Paul and turned them. The box opened. The clerk pulled it out and set it on a stainless steel table in the middle of the room. “I’ll leave you to it,” she said and left the room.
Not sure what she would find, Gillian took a deep breath and opened the box. There were two manila envelopes and three more safety deposit box keys sitting inside. She looked up at Nick. He nodded, and she opened the first envelope. Her eyes widened. It was full of bundled hundred-dollar bills. She handed the envelope to Nick and opened the second one. “More of the same. How much do you think there is?”
“Thousands,” he said, a little awe-struck.
She shoved both envelopes into her tote bag and returned the box into its slot, then picked up the other keys, looked at the numbers on the other boxes, and tried them in the locks, but they didn’t fit.
“They must be for different banks. How much cash does he have spread around?” Nick said.
She thought of Agent Morris telling her about Paul’s money laundering. She took a deep breath. She had to call him. Except… This money might be the difference between Nick getting custody of Bailey or not. It also might implicate her in Paul’s crimes. If she spent it, she could go to prison with him. They left the room, different scenarios flashing through her mind as they returned to Mr. Taylor’s office. She crossed her fingers that they’d approve the loan.
The banker stood as they walked into the room. “Thank you so much for choosing us for your banking needs,” Mr. Taylor started. “But I’m afraid we need a little more time to check on your credit and decide on your loan. We’ll get back to you this afternoon.”
Gillian’s hopes plummeted.
“Thank you for your time,” Nick said and shook his hand.
“Of course, and, Mrs. Barnes, please give my best regards to your husband.” His eyes flicked to the wedding ring she’d put on her finger before leaving that morning.
She smiled brightly. “I will.”
The sooner they got out of there the better. Whatever Paul was involved in, she didn’t want to have anything to do with it. What would happen if he got out and discovered his box was empty?
She shivered. She should call Agent Morris.Now.
As they left the bank, Nick’s phone rang. He answered it, thanked whoever had called and then hung up. “That was the hospital,” he said. “They’re releasing Bailey at three.”
“Today?” She looked at her watch.
“If we leave now, we’ll just make it,” he said.