shortly. I need to help the next customer.”
Renee glanced over her shoulder and saw that there was a line of four people behind them now. She tried to pull her arm away from Jerry, but he only seemed to grip her tighter.
He gave the teller a glare, then, still holding onto Renee, marched her over to the waiting area but didn’t sit. “You’re going to fix what you’ve done with the accounts and then you’re coming with me.”
She felt sick to her stomach and prayed that Zane would be there soon.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Jerry was loud enough the other customers continued to look around at the two of them by the chairs.
Jerry’s eyes were full of terror. She had seen him upset but never like this. He was furious but terrified, too.
“Are you trying to run away?” His hands were clenched into fists and she was afraid he was going to hit her. “You don’t do this to me. Do you understand? You don’t do this to me. You won’t get away with running away from me. You signed a contract to have me handle your affairs and you can’t just take that away.”
He was in her face and the back of her knees hit a chair as she tried to step away. “It’s that fucking sheriff, isn’t it?” he continued. “We never should have come. You’ll sign the account back and we’ll head home to Philly.”
A woman in her mid fifties with graying hair walked up and Jerry faced her as she came to him. “Until the manager arrives, I need to you ask you to take this outside. You’re disturbing the customers. I’ll call you when she arrives.”
“This is our bank,” Jerry said in a harsh voice. “I’m staying right here. Your customers won’t be disturbed”.
Two police officers stepped through the front entrance into the bank. Jerry tensed, his grip tighter on Renee. The teller gestured toward Jerry and Renee and the officers started toward them.
“That fucking bitch,” Jerry said in a low voice. “She didn’t call the manager. She called the cops.”
Relief made Renee’s knees weak.
“I’m Officer Martin and this is Officer Leonard,” the female police officer said. “Step outside, please.”
“What’s this about?” Jerry still had anger in his voice.
“Step outside,” Officer Martin said in a firm tone.
Jerry still wouldn’t let go of Renee. It was like his hand was glued to her arm. “What the hell is this about?” he repeated.
“Step outside now or I will arrest you for public disturbance and harassment.” Officer Martin’s voice had a hard edge to it.
Jerry dragged Renee to the front entrance and out into the parking lot.
“Give me your names,” Officer Leonard said.
“Jerry Nelson and Renee Winfield,” Jerry said. “Although it’s none of your fucking business.”
“Release Ms. Winfield.” Officer Martin gave him a hard look.
“This bitch took my money.” Jerry shook her and she tried to pull away again. “I’m not letting her go anywhere until she fixes it.”
“Release her or I will arrest you,” Officer Martin said.
“She owes me money!” Jerry shouted, his face livid.
Officer Leonard grabbed Jerry’s hands from behind, forcing him to let Renee go. Jerry tried to fight off the officer, his expression wild as he struggled to get free.
Renee stared, her eyes wide, unable to believe that Jerry was resisting arrest.
The officer slammed Jerry facedown on the asphalt and cuffed his hands behind his back. Officer Leonard dragged Jerry to his feet and bent him over, with his chest and face on the patrol car’s trunk. The officer emptied his pockets which included her cell phone.
The whole time, Jerry screamed obscenities at Renee. “I’m going to make you regret this, you little bitch,” he shouted. “You’d better fix it before I come back or you’ll be more than sorry. Just like I told you.”
The officers read Jerry his Miranda rights as they forced him into the back of the patrol car and then shut the door behind him. He glared at Renee
Sharon Cameron
Marianne Evans
Rebecca Scherm
Kade Derricks
Gary D. Schmidt
Kerry Newcomb
Alex Siegel
Samantha Power
Candice Stauffer
Lillian Stewart Carl, John Helfers