“He wanted to confirm the last of the legal holds had been cleared.”

Arthur took off his glasses and polished them carefully on the hem of his sweater.

“He also mentioned that Gregory came into the downtown branch yesterday,” Arthur said.

I stopped opening cabinets and turned around.

“Gregory tried to apply for a personal hardship loan,” Arthur said.

“Mr.

Miller denied the application himself.”

“Why does he need a hardship loan?” I asked.