And I wasn’t going to let the paperwork make me forget that.

PART 3 — SIX PAYMENTS AND ONE LAKE LOT

The first bank meeting began with an account statement.

The manager turned his monitor toward Lena and me.

He’d reviewed the available authorizations.

Mercer Strategic Consulting appeared in the registration records.

The company’s contact information included a phone number I knew by heart.

Ryan’s.

I stared.

He’d denied creating the company.