She approached Jessica’s counter and carefully placed three items on the polished surface.
Her driver’s license.
A certified cashier’s check for fifty thousand dollars.
A handwritten note containing the destination account number.
Jessica looked at the coat before she looked at the documents.
“What do you need?”
“I’d like to deposit this into the Robinson House Community Fund.”
Jessica glanced at the check.
Then at Martha.
Then back at the check.
“Where did you get this?”
Martha’s tired eyes sharpened slightly.
“It was issued to me.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Several customers nearby heard the tone and looked over.
Martha lowered her voice.
“I sold a small piece of property in Queens. This is part of the proceeds.”
Jessica picked up the check by one corner as though it might be dirty.
“People don’t normally walk into Midtown branches carrying fifty-thousand-dollar checks dressed like this.”
Martha looked down at her coat.