EARLY WITHDRAWAL (A Mitch Tobin Mystery Book 1)

by Mark Gannon

  It was my turn to present an increase on Ned Tanners operating line. I ran through the presentation making sure I spent enough time to make Junior think I had done my homework and just long enough for him to get bored. I had already talked to Charlie and knew he supported the credit with a strong recommendation to pick up additional collateral.

  I finished up with, “Ned has been a long time customer of this bank and has significant equity but it is all in his real estate. The increase in the operating line will get Ned through until his calves sell. I recommend you approve the credit with a strong discussion with Ned about giving his real estate as collateral if the loan does not show improvement by this fall.” With that I kept leaning forward showing Junior and Robbie that I was really pleading with them for approval for my customer. I could have saved the act.

  This was safe enough even for Robbie to handle. “I concur with Mitch. Ned is a good credit risk. But he does need to be aware that his situation is deteriorating. You will make that clear to him won’t you Mitch?” I nodded my head in agreement. The rest of the committee agreed without any disagreement. Junior agreed because he always voted in favor of Ned Tanner. Deb Miller voted in favor because that is what Robbie did. Charlie voted in favor because the recommendation is just what he asked me to present in the first place. Now all I had to do was relay all of this to Ned. He would be the only one in disagreement.

  The last loan was a non-event without any issues for Junior, Robbie or Charlie. All the drama for the morning was used up with the first presentation. After the last loan presentation, the loan officers were dismissed and I headed back for my desk.

  Chapter 16

  Reggie Klein

  “Mitch, come to my office now.” The Ice Maiden’s voice was in the no non sense mode. As I started to follow her I wondered whether this was about proper bank attire or sales reports.

  Walking across the lobby with me in his sights was Reggie Klein, Emily’s new husband. “Mitch we need to talk.” Reggie threw Deb Miller a look and followed up with “You can spare him for a minute can’t you?”

  “That will be fine Mr. Klein.” Debbie is all about customer service. “Mitch you make sure to stop in after Mr. Klein leaves.” Her look added you may have gotten a reprieve but don’t expect it to last.

  Reggie having assumed his request was granted was already on the way to my office. As I turned to follow him my small mean inner self sniggered at his toupee flopping loosely at the back of his head. It always irked me that someone approaching Social Security with a small pot belly was Emily’s choice in leaving me. Yes he dressed nice and always looked smooth and in command of the moment. I always rationalized that Emily married Reggie for his finances and social position not his looks. The mean inner self was also happy that Reggie’s finances had taken a real dive with the fall of the real estate market. He was a land developer and that is the worst thing to be when real estate values crash.

  Reggie didn’t even let me sit down behind my desk before he started in. “Mitch, I know Ned Tanner does business with this bank and that you are his loan officer. How can you let him walk away from the deal of his life?” A quick raised eyebrows and a wrinkled forehead to emphasize his point made his toupee pop up in back. “I have been talking myself blue in the face and Ned won’t pay me any attention. He acts like he could care less. Opportunities like this don’t last. Doesn’t he realize he needs to act and act now?” Another question that was rhetorical. “I have people interested right now not next year when he gets around to it. Does Tanner have any idea how hard it is to get anyone interested in land development at this time? Do you have any idea how hard that is?”

  After thinking about whom he was asking it dawned on him that a banker probably did have an idea about land development. “Never mind. Are you going to let him sit there and pass this up? Well are you? This is not only good for Ned but also for the bank and the town. That land needs developing. We need those high income folks moving to town and helping out the economy.”

  “Whoa! Slow down Reggie. You are going to have to tell me a little more. What is the great opportunity Ned is passing up?” Something was sure up because Reggie was even overexcited for him.

  “Well that top pasture area of Ned’s just under Crow Peak where he is running all those buffalo. What did you think I was talking about? There is a group of Californians in town looking for the ideal spot to put in some high end homes. They want something close to town but with a view and a presence. You know Lookout Peak is all tied up and Spearfish Mountain is on Forrest Service land. The last best view privately held ground is that top pasture of Ned’s right below Crow Peak.

  “The group I am talking with is willing to talk top dollars with Ned but he won’t even consider it. All he can talk about is putting in a conservation easement so the elk have some place to hang out. Why would he want to devalue the property like that? A conservation easement means no developing, no houses, no high income people moving into town, no fancy home construction.”

  And I thought to myself no real estate commission for Reggie. “So what are you going to do Mitch? Are you going to talk some sense into him? I certainly can’t seem to reach him but hopefully you can. He needs to listen to his banker at least.”

  Normally I would leave something like this alone. But some of it made sense to me. Ned was getting too old to ranch and no one in his family was going to take over. And selling some of his ground would sure heal up his finances. “Reggie I’ll give this some thought and maybe talk to Ned.” Reggie visibly deflated in front of me. He was expecting a fight and I was agreeing.

  “You mean that Mitch? You’ll talk to Ned – help him see the light?” I nodded in agreement. That is all Reggie needed to change back to the illusion of helping the community. “Just think what that development will mean to the town, the contractors, the lumber yard, the tax base and the construction loans for this bank. I just want to see the town do well, Mitch.”

  The smile Reggie was wearing didn’t touch his eyes. He really didn’t have any warmth for humanity. Now that he had me going his direction or so he thought he covered his other reason for stopping. “Emily must have softened you up on this idea. She said she stopped to see you last night and talk about Thomas. Did she cover this also?”

  So here was my chance to confirm Emily in her story of seeing me last night. I wondered what that was all about. “Yes Emily did stop by last night to talk about Thomas.”

  “Well you must have talked for some time and covered this too. She was pretty late getting home. She said she had to wait for you to show up.” Reggie stopped to invite my response and confirmation. Sometimes I think he was worried about Emily heading back to old pastures.

  “I did get home a bit late that’s a fact and Emily was waiting for me to talk about TT.” Reggie kept looking at me trying to get more of an answer. I was stopping there. Everything I had said was the truth and I was leaving it at that. Reggie was suspicious of something - maybe me. But Reggie had nothing to worry about on that score. But why tell him. Let him worry. I had to worry for how many years being married to Emily now it was his turn. “If that’s all you have to cover I better get moving. Ms. Miller still wants to visit with me.” I didn’t really plan on meeting with Deb Miller if I could help it, but it was a way to move Reggie along.

  Reggie wanted to say more but decided not to. “You talk to Ned for me. For us. Okay?”

  “I will talk to Ned. That is an idea he needs to consider.” With that I shooed Reggie out of my office.

  Pulling open my work drawer Harley’s loan was on top. I knew Harley wanted some action this week. I needed to do something to show activity but that didn’t take too long. Well he would need an appraisal to get his addition loan. I sent an E-mail to Judy Wren asking her to order the appraisal and letting Harley know when it will be done. Judy has to order all of the appraisals. Government regulations say the loan officer involved or voting on a credit cannot order the appraisal or influence the outcome.
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  There was another E-mail on the Jasper title insurance. More issues with something that should be a simple loan and closing. Apparently a previous joint owner had only one signer on the last Warranty Deed. In order to close the loan a signature for the other joint owner, Ted Brown, would be necessary and he moved out of the area. If this was a sale the realtor would chase down the signer. Since it was a refinance, the bank would chase it down or it may not happen. And that really meant I would chase it down if I wanted to add some loan volume.

  Chapter 17

  Suck Up and Hug Up

  My head snapped up from my e-mails as I heard the piercing sharp yapping of three spoiled rotten Pekinese dogs crossing the bank lobby. It was Mrs. Thompson coming to visit her money, her jewels, her stock certificates and her bonds. She had two of our largest safe deposit boxes to handle her large supply of valuables. Knowing this was one of the top customers of the bank Charlie made an appearance. “Nice to see you Mrs. Thompson. You are looking lovely today.” Mrs. Thompson was not flustered by the bank president coming to greet her – she expected it. “Bringing your diamond necklace back to the bank for safe keeping after wearing it last night at the Elks dinner?”

  Stopping to gather her dogs she replied, “Yes I am Charles. I do like wearing my baubles but I always feel better when they are back here in the bank locked up safe and sound. You know that floor safe at home just isn’t as secure as your big vault here at the bank. I think today I will want to put these back into 201.” Most of the employees in the bank know the two safe deposit box numbers for Mrs. Thompson are 200 and 201. She likes the boxes side by side so they are easier to remember.

  As a rule dogs were not encouraged in the bank but as one of our most frequent customers and a large depositor Mrs. Thompson pretty much did as she wanted. It was always a debate with me as to who was more overweight – the dogs or her. Mr. Suck Up, Steve Blake, made a beeline to the big bucks. This was not a loan customer but she was an important customer and Blake was going to get in his schmooze time and show Charlie he was tuned into the important customers also. “Hello Mrs. Thompson. Beautiful day isn’t it? Can I help you with something?”

  “Why yes you can. Take care of my precious little darlings while I visit the safe deposit box.” And away she went with Blake surrounded by yapping Pekinese. It was really entertaining watching him try to keep the dogs quiet. He first tried to drag the dogs up to the teller line where they kept dog treats for the drive up. This was looking interesting so I slipped out of my office and a little closer so I could watch.

  As Steve reached for the dog treats Mary Beth slapped his hand. “Mrs. Thompson says her dogs are on a diet and they can’t have any more treats here at the bank.” Mary Beth gave me a look that told me this wasn’t necessarily true but she wanted to see Blake suffer. The dogs knew from past experience that the bank provided dog biscuits and they expected to be fed. Their barking and yapping increased in volume. Blake was starting to look desperate. Nancy uncharacteristically hustled out to help Mrs. Thompson.

  If you want to visit your safe deposit box it is necessary to have one of the two locks on the box opened by a bank employee while you open the other. Mrs. Thompson was just going into the safe deposit viewing room and Steve had three cross dogs that knew he wasn’t giving them a treat. As he reached down to calm them they snapped at his fingers.

  Judy Wren came out of her work area and approached the dogs. They immediately crowded around her wagging their tails. Judy talked to them softly while patting each one at a time. About then Mrs. Thompson came back out to the lobby. “Why Judy those dogs just adore you. They are such good judges of character.”

  As Mrs. Thompson was leaving the safe deposit area another of our prominent customers, Sue Kerry, came in to lock up her valuables. “Hello Sue. Are you putting that beautiful necklace of yours back where it is safe? The stones are so much fun to wear. Events like the Elks Dinner last night let us show them off a little. But then I worry about them sitting around home. I just dropped mine off. I feel so much better with my jewelry in the bank. Don’t you?”

  Sue agreed with Mrs. Thompson and tried to step around the dogs that were straining to get back to their owner. Mrs. Thompson kept visiting with Sue as she signed into the safe deposit area and went in to get her box. Mary Beth had to partially block Mrs. Thompson from reentering the vault with Ms. Kerry. This was a little tricky as Kerry was due some privacy and Mary Beth didn’t want to offend Thompson. Banking involves a lot of small maneuverings and Mary Beth was practiced at all of them. Mrs. Thompson finally quit visiting as Sue Kerry shut the door of the little safe deposit viewing room. Without another look at Blake who was expecting a thank you, Mrs. Thompson picked up her leashes and walked out of the bank.

  Judy walked toward my office with a big smile breaking on her face. As she came near I asked “How do you get those nasty little things to shut up?”

  “I’m just good with animals and I couldn’t stand those dogs yapping anymore.” And on she sailed. Meantime Blake was slouching to his office wondering how many demerits he had earned in trying to butter up the customer. You could see him thinking how did that go wrong?

  Lunch today was at the café in the back room for the weekly Lion’s Club meeting. Today we were meeting to discuss the upcoming Art in the Park festival. The Lions were running a food booth and needed to get it organized. Art in the Park was only two weeks after the trail ride.

  I used the back door of the bank into the parking lot so I could go in the back door of the cafe. Approaching the parking lot I saw a brand new red GMC diesel one ton dually pickup. I was thinking that was a pretty cool pickup – one that I wouldn’t mind having. Then I saw who was driving – Bill Larson. And sitting next to him was Emily. Bill parked next to that red Mustang convertible Emily drove last night. As Emily made ready to hop into her vehicle she leaned over and gave Bill a tongue lashing. The kind you normally want if you are a red blooded American man. Larson sure took it all in. You would never know Emily was married to Reggie the way she was carrying on with Bill. It was going to be hard concentrating on the Lions meeting with that in my head.

  When I first started banking I thought it was great to find out all the private information about everyone and their personal finances. Along with the financial information came a lot of personal information that you really did not want to find out. As I grow older I prefer to find out the necessary facts and only the facts. There is such a thing as information overload and too much personal information from a customer can easily get there. A lot of me wants to hide from unnecessary information. But the world just doesn’t work that way.

  Chapter 18

  Back at the Trail Ride - Rawlins Takes Over

  That had been the week before the trail ride. Now instead of my usual relaxing week off I was watching Reggie frozen in place over Ned. That knife sticking out of his chest was just plain awful. What a way to die. How was I going to tell Louise? I leaned in to go through the motion of checking for a pulse. There was a faint pulse and now I could see a slight rise in the chest. Turning to Reggie I snapped, “Help me get him turned on his back. Snap out of it Reggie. He’s alive and needs help!” Reggie still didn’t respond. While supporting Ned with my knee I reached up and punched Reggie in the gut. Slapping him would be better but I can’t reach that high while kneeling.

  Reggie mumbled, “What? What did you say? He’s still alive?”

  I hollered back at him trying to get him to snap out of it. “Yes you dumb shit, he’s still alive. Now go get some help while I stay here with him. He needs medical attention.”

  Reggie still wasn’t quite with me. “Get help. Right. Who should I get?” Then instead of running off and raising the alarm he leaned in beside me to check for a pulse.

  “What are you doing? I checked him already. He’s alive. Reggie, get your legs in gear and go get the sheriff. Get Rawlins! He’s probably still in the dining tent playing poker.” With that I gave him a shove to get him going. I
wanted Reggie out of there. If he was the one who stabbed Ned I didn’t want him having a chance to finish the job while I went hunting the sheriff. As soon as he took off I reached for my cell phone and double checked for signal. It would be good to get an ambulance on the way. Signal strength was at one bar that flickered on and off. I tried dialing up 911 several times and it went nowhere. Crap!

  Don’t think I was Mr. Cool and knew what to do. Hell no. My mind was jumping all over the place. I can’t remember ever seeing anyone critically wounded like this. Never saw someone shot or stabbed. Never saw a car wreck. I stayed away from the doctors and hospital as much as I can. Just the sight of a needle makes me queasy. Seeing someone I know bleeding out on the ground in the dark was sending me into a state of shock. I know it really wasn’t that long until help showed up but it sure seemed long. I kept checking for a pulse and breath. Ned’s breathing was so shallow that it was hard to detect in the low light. Every once in a while he gave a slight wheeze but there was no flicker from his eyes. He was out and I was afraid he was slipping. Curiously there was hardly any blood coming from the knife wound. Was that because he lost so much blood already?

  The whole time I was waiting that damn stud horse kept pawing and snorting. It would help if Ernesto would hold still. Between him and my heart pounding it was impossible to hear Ned’s breathing. Where was Reggie with the sheriff?

  Finally I knew help was at hand. The loud voices of a small crowd came closer. The horses all picked up their ears and activity with the night invasion. Ernesto went into hyper activity pulling at his tie rope and swinging his rear end in every direction. He tried biting and kicking at the closest neighboring horse.