Bradley frowned. "What board meeting?"
"Never mind." Amara's voice remained steady.
"About those protocols you mentioned." "Right."
Bradley straightened, warming to his subject. "We need to verify identity, income, and legitimate business purposes. Some people try to use our services for questionable activities."
Regional manager Patricia Cain appeared beside Bradley. She was 43, sharp-eyed, and had clearly been briefed on the situation.
"What seems to be the issue?" Patricia's tone suggested she already knew the answer.
"This woman is requesting executive services without proper documentation," Bradley explained. "I'm trying to explain our requirements."
Patricia nodded approvingly. "We have to be careful about suspicious activity. The regulators are very strict about know-your-customer requirements."
Amara opened her wallet to retrieve her identification. A flash of platinum caught the light.
An American Express Centurion card visible for just a moment before she selected her driver's license. "Here's my identification," she said, sliding it across the marble surface.
Patricia barely glanced at it. "We'll also need proof of funds, employment verification, and a detailed explanation of your business with Heritage Bank."
The parking validation ticket peeked from Amara's briefcase. VIP executive garage level P1.
Only board members and C-suite executives had access to that garage. Sarah's live stream hit 891 viewers.
The comments were becoming more heated. "This is discrimination, plain and simple."
"Someone call the news." "What bank is this? They need to be exposed."
"I understand you have procedures," Amara said. "But I'm simply trying to access services at my own bank."
"Your bank?" Bradley laughed.
"Ma'am, this is Heritage Community Bank. We've been serving Chicago's business community for 75 years." "Yes," Amara replied.
"I'm aware of the history." Patricia stepped closer.
"Look, we're trying to be accommodating, but you're being evasive. If you can't provide proper documentation, we'll have to ask you to leave." District manager Robert Hayes appeared on the teller's video screen.
He'd been patched in from the regional office. His face filled the monitor behind the counter.
"What's the situation?" Hayes demanded.
"Individual requesting executive services without proper credentials," Patricia reported. "She's being uncooperative."
Hayes nodded grimly. "Security protocols are clear. If someone can't verify their legitimate business need, they need to be removed."
Two security guards had positioned themselves near the exits. The elderly Mrs. Roosevelt, a longtime customer, watched from the seating area with growing concern.
"Young man," Mrs. Roosevelt called to Bradley. "Perhaps you should check your records before making assumptions."
Bradley ignored her. His attention was on his performance, on demonstrating his authority.