Zora understood.
Because sometimes even employees knew when something wasn't right.
She followed Preston into a private office.
He closed the door.
"Please have a seat."
Zora sat.
Preston remained standing for a moment before taking the chair opposite her.
"So," he said, "you're interested in opening several accounts."
"Yes."
"Personal?"
"Personal and potentially investment."
"What is your approximate annual income?"
Zora gave him a number that was comfortable but ordinary.
Preston's eyebrows rose.
"And your employment?"
"I'm self-employed."
"Business?"
"Several investments."
"What kind?"
"Technology. Logistics. Financial services."
His expression changed.
"Financial services?"
"Yes."
"What company?"
"Timberlake Holdings."
Preston typed something.
Then stopped.
"I don't recognize it."
"That's fine."
He smiled.
"We specialize in established clients."
Zora looked at him.
"Established clients?"
"Clients with significant assets and existing relationships."
"I have significant assets."
"I understand."
"But you don't believe me."
Preston leaned back.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Silence.
He cleared his throat.
"We'll need documentation."
"I brought identification."
"More than that."
"Such as?"
"Bank statements. Tax returns. Investment statements. Corporate documents."
"For a checking account?"
"For the relationship you're describing."
Zora smiled.
"All right."
She reached into her purse.
Preston watched as she pulled out a folder.
She placed it on the desk.
"These are my identification documents."
He opened the folder.
His expression slowly changed.
Her driver's license was ordinary.
Her passport was valid.
Her credit information was excellent.
But nothing in the folder revealed who she truly was.
Preston looked at her.
"We'll need additional documentation."
"I thought you said these were required."
"They are."
"I've provided them."
"Not enough."
Zora leaned forward.
"What exactly would be enough?"
Preston didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "Perhaps you should speak with our wealth management division."
"That's what I requested twenty minutes ago."
"We have limited availability."
Zora nodded.
"I see."
He smiled.
"Is there anything else?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"I'd like to know why the woman who entered after me was immediately offered assistance."
Preston's face hardened.
"I'm not familiar with the woman you're referring to."
"You greeted her."
"We greet all customers."
"You offered to personally help her."
"We offer excellent service."
"So do I."
He stared at her.
"What?"
"I offer excellent service too. At my companies."
Preston gave a polite laugh.
"That's good."
Zora stood.
"Very good."
She left the office.
Aiden was waiting near the teller station.
"Everything okay?"
Zora nodded.
"Everything is very clear."
But before she could leave, the branch manager appeared.
Her name was Denise Holloway.
She was a woman in her fifties with silver-streaked hair and the practiced calm of someone who had spent years solving problems before they became public.
"Ms. Timberlake?"
"Yes."
"I'm Denise Holloway, the branch manager."
Zora shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you."
"I understand there may have been some confusion."
"Perhaps."
Denise smiled.
"We value every customer."
Zora looked around the lobby.
"Do you?"
The manager's smile weakened.
"Absolutely."
"Then I'd like to ask you a question."
"Of course."
"Why did your employee require me to provide extensive financial documentation before allowing me to speak with a banker?"
Denise looked toward Preston.
"We have security and compliance procedures."
"Do you apply them consistently?"
"Yes."
Zora nodded.
"Then I have another question."
"Certainly."
"Why wasn't I offered the same level of service as the customer who entered after me?"
Denise's expression became guarded.
"I wasn't present for that interaction."
"But you are present now."
Silence.
Zora could feel the entire lobby listening.
She picked up her purse.
"I'll be back."
Denise blinked.
"Back?"
"Yes."
"When?"
Zora smiled.
"Soon."
Then she walked out.
Nobody stopped her.
Nobody knew that before she left the parking lot, she sent one message to her attorney.
Begin the branch audit. Full records. No notice.
Then she added another message.
And find every complaint involving Preston Reed and Denise Holloway.
The investigation had begun.
The First Crack
By Thursday morning, Zora's private investigation team had uncovered more than she expected.
The branch had received thirty-seven formal customer complaints during the previous twelve months.
Twenty-two involved unequal treatment.
Nine involved mortgage or business lending.
Four involved wealth management.
Two involved employees making dismissive comments about customers' financial status.
But the most disturbing information was buried deeper.
The complaints had been closed.
Not resolved.
Closed.
Zora sat in her office while her chief legal adviser, Marcus Hale, reviewed the findings.