to wire funds as well as make a withdrawal,” he told the teller. “Here are the account numbers and my ID.”
Renee watched as the woman looked at his ID then apparently brought up the accounts on her monitor. The teller frowned and the keys of her keyboard clacked as she typed while studying the monitor. She met Jerry’s gaze. “Those accounts are no longer open, Mr. Nelson.”
“What?” His voice started to rise and he sounded panicked. “What do you mean, no longer open?”
“They were closed out today,” the teller said.
Renee’s heart beat like crazy as she watched Jerry’s face start to turn red.
“That’s not possible.” His expression was one of fury. “Who closed out the accounts?” He bit the words out, every word harsh. “Where’s the money now?”
“I can’t give out any information,” the teller said. “All I can tell you is that the accounts have been closed.”
Jerry looked almost crazy as he fisted his hands at his sides. “I demand to know who closed out my accounts.”
“According to the records, you were not the account owner, you were a signer,” the teller looked like she was trying to be patient.
“Bullshit.” Jerry was almost shouting.
The teller appeared to be losing patience. “Sir, you’re going to have to calm down or I will need to ask you to leave.”
“I demand to speak to a manager,” he said.
“Just one moment, Mr. Nelson.” The teller turned and walked toward another woman.
Jerry’s face was almost purple now and he seemed to go still. The next moment he was looking directly at Renee.
“You bitch.” He walked away from the teller’s window and strode toward Renee. “You did it.”
She got to her feet, wondering if she could make the door before he reached her but knew there was no way.
“What did you do with the money?” He was shaking when he reached her and towered over her. “You will put the accounts back the way they were, you little whore.”
Renee tried not to shrink away from him and raised her chin. “It’s my money, Jerry.”
He was nearly shouting as he said, “Oh, you will put the money back and you’ll do it now.” He lowered his voice. “If you don’t, I’ll kill you.”
Shock made her skin prickle. Would Jerry follow through on his threat if she didn’t do what he told her to?
A woman approached them. “I’m Stella, the bank manager. I need to ask you to take this conversation outside.”
Stella frowned as Jerry grabbed Renee by her upper arm and forced her to go outside with him.
When they were in the parking lot, Jerry took her by her shoulders. “I’m going to hurt you real bad if you don’t get your ass back in the bank and fix what you’ve fucked up.”
Renee’s heart pounded hard. It would probably be another fifteen minutes before Zane arrived. She shook her head. “It’s my money,” she repeated.
“I made commitments to people for investing your money.” His voice was rough with his fury. “I’ll be in trouble if I don’t get them the cash.” He squeezed her arms hard. “So help me, I will make you pay if you don’t get me the money now.”
He jerked her back toward the bank doors and her skin prickled as they walked back into the bank.
When they were at the teller again, Jerry said, “Ms. Winfield is going to put everything back the way it was. Now.”
“My manager, Stella, just stepped out,” the teller said. “I won’t do anything until she returns.”
“You’ll do it now,” Jerry shouted.
“You need to leave,” the teller said in a firm voice.
“Get your manager back here.” Jerry’s whole body was shaking.
Renee winced as Jerry squeezed her arm so tightly that she knew he was bruising it. She looked from Jerry to the teller.
“Just one moment.” The teller picked up a phone and dialed a number. “I have a customer who is causing a disturbance. Yes. Thank you.”
The teller hung up the phone and gave Jerry a calm look. “Please take a seat and
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