I wanted to know whether anything involving my apartment had been submitted in my name.

Frank came along, but he waited beside the windows while I spoke privately with a loan officer.

This was my account and my home.

His presence didn’t give him access to them, and he knew it.

The officer searched the records, frowned, and asked me to wait.

When she returned, she carried a blue folder.

“Irene, there is a home equity line connected to this property.”

“No, there isn’t.”