The CEO – Adrian
THE CEO
ADRIAN
The Following Morning
“We can’t just let you see another customer’s bank account, Mr. Sinclair.” The teller at American Bank looked at me like I’d grown two heads.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s a federal crime.”
“Only if you snitch on me,” I said. “I’m asking because it’s for someone I care about.”
“It’s still a crime, sir.”
I held back a sigh.
After tucking Summer into bed last night, I’d noticed piles of past due notices and warning letters on her kitchen counter. Then I spotted them in her bathroom, her hallway, and—well, everywhere.
“I’ll happily look into all the accounts you have with us, Mr. Sinclair.” The teller kept her voice firm. “And that’s it.”
“I need the current balances, recent transactions, and expenses for two accounts,” I said. “Slow Burn Books, LLC, and Summer Connors. She’s one of my employees.”
“Are you hard of hearing, Mr. Sinclair?”
“Within three days, I’ll deposit fifty thousand dollars into your personal account for assisting me with this matter privately.”
“Give me fifteen minutes to get those printouts for you.”
“Thank you.”
Did Miss Connors make it to her rally okay, Tyson?
She did… Currently calling you an evil billionaire as I type.
Excellent.
“Here you are, Mr. Sinclair.” The teller slid three envelopes to me. “Fifty thousand?”
“Within seventy hours, guaranteed.”
“Next customer!” She motioned for me to leave.
I carried the envelopes to my car, but I was too impatient to drive to the office.
I opened the first one—the most up-to-date statement for Summer’s personal account—and stared at the balance.
Seven dollars?
I opened the next envelope—Slow Burn’s operating account.
Two hundred dollars.
I tore open the final one—her savings account.
Negative eighteen dollars.
How the hell didn’t I pick up on this before?