“She’s standing right here holding three sets of key cards, Nora.

It’ll take you ten seconds.”

“I can’t do that,” I said.

The line went silent for two long seconds, the lobby chatter filling the gap before his smooth laugh came back, a little thinner around the edges.

“Nora, don’t do this right now in front of the front desk staff,” he said, dropping his voice to a sharp whisper.

“I brought Mom out here for her birthday, Nora, so don’t let a bank security glitch ruin her special afternoon.”

“Is Ruth standing right next to you?” I asked.