EARLY WITHDRAWAL (A Mitch Tobin Mystery Book 1)

by Mark Gannon

  As the vault door swung open there was a surge toward the front and Charlie barked, “Stay where you are while Mary Beth takes a look around to make sure Slick is gone. We don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

  Mary Beth came back about a minute later and gave the high sign. “Looks like he’s gone.”

  The staff milled around excited by events and escaping the vault. Charlie was headed for the nearest land line to call the police. All I was thinking is I want a piece of Slick. The man had used and abused me, the bank and the staff. It was time to get some back. Judy was right behind me. I figured I would head out the back door – Slick would not have gone out the front.

  I swung the door open and held it for Judy. Before I made it all the way outside I heard Judy exclaim, “Oh my god!” She was stopped dead in her tracks staring at the group in front of her. Was Slick still right outside? Was he pointing a gun at Judy? Son of a bitch! I should have went out first. I pushed through ready to spring at Slick if he was threatening her.

  I saw the gang gathered a few feet away and I joined her with, “You’ve got to be kidding. Double son of a bitch!” A person was lying stretched out on the ground with his feet just a step away. And on those feet were a pair of snakeskin boots with blue stitching. Frank and John were standing over Slick who was lying motionless on the ground. The purse and the loot were scattered beside him. I stood stock still and tried to take it all in. Judy started to say something and just stuttered. I finally got out, “What the hell!”

  I stepped closer leaning forward and lower to get a good look at his face to make sure it was really Slick. The face was right but in some way wrong. He was out cold and his face had relaxed and lost the perpetual sneer. I just shook my head in disbelief. But the snake skin boots were the same ones I remembered kicking me in the face. Funny I never noticed the soles were about worn through and the heels were walked over. All the times I thought about those boots laying into me I didn’t realize they were that worn out. Slick just looked like a down on luck skinny guy lying there without his gun and sneer. Perspective truly is everything. Frank and John had their chests puffed out gloating in pride at capturing the bad guy.

  “How did you guys do this? How did you know he was coming out here? He had a gun!” My thoughts were jumbled. But it was obvious John and Frank weren’t carrying guns. That equalizer was big in my mind.

  Frank smiled and said, “Who needs a stinking gun when you have this?” He waved a two by four piece of lumber in his hand. He could see the look of disbelief in my face. “I just tapped him upside the head with this. Man it felt good. I owed him.”

  John added, “You called me and told me to watch the fireworks. I called Frank to come and watch also since he is working just a few blocks down the street. After Rawlins flushed Nancy I tried coming in the bank. It was locked and the curtains were closed.”

  Frank was ready to pop and had to but in with, “I showed up and John was milling around not knowing what to do. With the curtains closed we only had one option, we went to your office window and looked in. Did you know from your window you can look right through your office and see the main lobby?”

  John wanted to get in more of the story. “We saw Slick holding you hostage waving his gun around. Then Judy came out with that purse.” John kicked the purse for emphasis. “Next you disappeared from sight and a little later Slick came back into view all by himself, picked up the purse and headed for the back door.”

  Frank’s turn again. “We saw he had the gun but we had the drop on him. John acted like an innocent bystander and went up to Slick and then let out that war whoop of his. I grabbed this two by four out of the bed of my pickup and nailed him from his blind side while he was still staring at John. You know, I remember him being really quick but he wasn’t this time. He saw me swinging the lumber and tried to protect himself with his arm that was holding the purse. But he acted like that purse weighed a ton and he didn’t get his arm up in time.” Frank tee-heed like a little school girl. “That felt great. Old Slick wasn’t so slick today.”

  The purse being heavy rang a bell with me. I looked at Judy and asked, “Do you know anything about that purse getting a little on the heavy side?”

  Judy got that mischievous look on her face and said, “I might have put something extra in the purse when I went to fetch it from the vault. Like maybe those heavy door weights that keep the vault door open. I thought the extra weight might slow him up.” Her smile got bigger as she thought about it. “And it worked.”

  Rawlins came screaming into the parking lot followed by Bucky. Rawlins barked, “Bucky, get some hand cuffs on our friend there.” He turned to us and said, “Looks like we have the whole team now. We caught Nancy about a mile out of town.” With a small smile he added, “Chickens usually can’t fly very far.”

  Charlie came out when he heard Rawlins tear into the parking lot. He nodded his head in satisfaction and walked over to where Slick was still laid out on the parking lot. He started to say something and went quiet then finally said, “Aw hell!” and gave Slick a kick in the ribs with his good leg. After hearing a satisfying grunt he turned and smiled at the rest of us.

  That wasn’t a bad idea but when I moved toward Slick, Charlie grabbed my arm and held me back. This wasn’t fair. Slick thumped on me and I wasn’t going to get my licks back at him. It was damn well my turn. Charlie got his lick in. I started to protest and pull away from Charlie. “Leave it be, Mitch.”

  I thought to myself – just like you let it be? But I stepped back until Charlie let go of my arm and then made a quick move and landed a good solid kick of my own. That felt great. I wound up for another and then decided not to. I wanted him one on one with him awake. Remembering how fast he was maybe it was just as well he was handcuffed.

  Rawlins stooped beside Slick and started sweeping the jewelry back into Mrs. Thompson’s big purse. Charlie reached out for it but Rawlins said, “This is all evidence and we’ll keep it for the trial unless the judge says different. You can inventory it with us and we’ll give you a receipt.”

  That resulted in some jawing between Rawlins and Charlie. Charlie lost the argument. I knew he would from the start. When it comes to a law situation Rawlins always wins. It didn’t seem fair but my mom always said, “Life’s not fair so quit expecting it and learn to deal with it.” And she was right, is right and always will be right. If you don’t agree then just ask her. Isn’t your mom always right? On the other hand things were evening up and that is fair. The bad guys were all in custody and the loot was safe if not back in the bank.

  Judy walked up by Rawlins and sorted through the pile and grabbed out a diamond ring with a deep green jade setting. “I’m just going to get this one back to the rightful owner right now.” Rawlins made a move to put the ring back in the purse and stopped when he looked at Judy’s determined face. “I guess that piece can stay out.”

  Judy fondled the ring and held it up to the light so the green caught a warm glow from the sun. “Somebody was very upset to lose this particular ring. It has a date with a wedding and it’s going to make it.”

  Chapter 48

  Horse Barn

  The rest of the week was busy with police, insurance, customers wanting their valuables back and the rubber neckers. In the end I’m not sure what was the worst but if I had to vote it would be the rubber neckers. Telling the story to the first, second and third vicarious thrill seeker was okay but the tenth and so on was way too much. How many people were in town that hadn’t heard the story five times?

  I really shouldn’t have been surprised when Harley stopped in and asked, “So did Frank really nail that guy? I mean that’s what I heard. I just don’t picture Frank as the hero type.”

  Once again I explained how Frank brought down Slick. “He whacked Slick upside the head with a two by four as he came out of the bank. Right through that door over there. And Slick was armed.”

  “Wow. When was the last time we had a bank robbery in town? And actually thi
s was like two robberies. I mean they did hit the bank twice.” Harley had a point. “I just stopped by to tell you since you have been so busy with the robbery and all I have been working with Steve Blake. He says he will have money for the new coffee shop as soon as the next loan committee meeting.” That damn Blake was still stealing customers and now he was stealing mine. “Well gotta go. When I get the coffee place done stop over and I’ll give you a free espresso.”

  I was shaking my head over Harley’s defection when Judy buzzed me to say I had another customer waiting. Great! It was probably another rubber necker wanting the story. In bounced a natty looking eighty something guy. People that old normally don’t have the energy this guy was exuding. “I hear you’ve been looking for me.”

  My blank expression must have clued him into an additional explanation. “I hear you wanted me to sign something.” He must have thought I was the bank moron from my extended blank stare. He raised his voice hoping to get through to this dim wit sitting across from him. “I understand you are trying to close a loan for the Jaspers. There is an old deed that I didn’t sign way back when and apparently you need my signature to clear the title and help the Jaspers out. So, where is this paper you need signed?”

  It took me another half minute to soak this all in. “You’re the old guy - er - I mean you are my missing signature. You’re a --- a Ted Brown?” He nodded his head glad to finally get through my thick noggin. “Hey that’s great. Yes indeedy we have something for you to sign. Just let me round it up.” I jumped out of my chair to run and get the deed and a notary. Before I went out the door I turned and said, “Now don’t go away. I’ll be right back.” He must have wondered what kind of nut case he was dealing with but he remained sitting ready to do his duty.

  I ran to Judy’s desk and said, “Right now. Come.” Now it was Judy’s turn to give the blank stare. “Get your notary stamp and that deed for the Jasper loan. I’ve got him in my office. He’s ready to sign. I don’t have to go to the retirement home.”

  Judy laughed and said, “Slow down Mitch. He’s not going anywhere. I called the retirement home yesterday and talked to Mr. Brown. He said he would be down today. No problem.”

  “You got him down here. That’s great. You’re great! Now come on and get his signature.” I almost skipped on my way back to my office. I didn’t have to go to the retirement home and chase down some old guy.

  I was sitting in my office after lunch glowing in satisfaction from closing the Jasper loan. Judy rounding up the signer was a great thing. Not only did I get rid of an unpleasant task of going to the retirement home, but I also got to add some loan volume with closing the loan.

  The Ice Princess came in to ruin my mood. “Mitch you know that western suit is not in line with our new look.” I still hadn’t had a chance to get some suits from the cleaners and had grabbed one of my western cut suits from the closet this morning. “Well, never mind that. I came into congratulate you on your sale call and referral.” This was something new. But what the hell was she talking about.

  Deb could see that I wasn’t connecting. “You know the sales call on Mary Johnson for investment dollars. She came in and talked to Jerry our investment officer and agreed to move her brokerage account to our bank.” I tried to nod along but who was Mary Johnson? “That was a great call Mitch. Her investment account is a little over two million dollars! Thanks for the effort.” With that she sailed out of my office.

  It is great to get some kudos, especially from Deb Miller, but it would be better if I knew the face that went with Mary Johnson. I didn’t remember calling on any rich people with investment dollars in that big of a bundle. Since I didn’t put a sincere effort into sales reports the names I turned in didn’t stick with me. It couldn’t be a made up name like I use sometimes because Johnson actually put money in the bank.

  The rest of the morning blew by. It was good to be back into a normal work flow. The last several weeks were a jumble of memories and action. Nice slow boring bank work was therapeutic. But my first visitor after lunch was not calming. Emily sailed in without knocking. “Have you heard the latest on Bill Larson?” She didn’t stop for a response. “Apparently he is being held on some old criminal charges. What bad luck. Get shot by bank robbers and then get arrested on an old warrant. You would think the cops would take his helping the bank into consideration.”

  My head was swimming and she wasn’t around me for ten seconds. “I missed something. How did he help the bank with the robbers?”

  Emily didn’t even hear me. “I went down to Rapid City to visit Bill in the hospital. They had police stationed outside his room and it wasn’t for his protection. They weren’t going to even let me in. But I put up such a fuss that they backed off. You should see Bill. He looks awful lying in bed, criss crossed with tubes. Anyway he said the cops wanted him for an old misunderstanding and that he will have it cleared up real soon.” Her disgust for the police in harassing one of her people was dripping from every word. “Did you get a chance to talk with TT yet?”

  Now she finally waited for an answer. “Yes I did. He understands that he needs to get on the same page with the coach and the new quarterback.”

  “What do you mean he needs to get on their page? They need TT to run that ball. They need to get on his page.”

  “Emily you wanted me to talk to him. I talked to him. If you don’t like what I have to say than don’t ask me next time.” Every time I was around her I soon became thankful for the divorce. I don’t know how her new husband Reggie put up with her. But thinking about it he didn’t really listen to what anyone else said either. Maybe it works.

  Emily was getting up to leave and Reggie made his presence. “Emily, here you are. I was wondering where you went.” Without missing a breath Reggie went on, “Mitch, I have some great news. I’ll need that land development loan we were talking about before.” Reggie saw that he may have lost me and back tracked. “I have been up visiting Ned Tanner at the hospital and now at home. You did know he was released a few days ago?”

  I shook my head no. With everything going on I hadn’t kept track of Ned. Ned must be doing a whole lot better if they let him out of the hospital. I said, “It was unfortunate for Ned that Slick knifed him because Slick thought Ned saw him talking to Larson.”

  With no real show of sympathy Reggie said, “Yeah that was tough. Anyway, Ned was released. Louise and I have been working on Ned about the ranch and the work load and all of that. Louise tried to talk to him but I did the heavy lifting. Ned has always wanted to do some serious work with cutting horses. And with the ranch work and the budget and all he has never gotten to do anything along those lines. He bought that stud of his as seed stock but had no way to get some brood mares and a facility to do training and all of that.”

  Reggie slowed up enough to give me a look for not being helpful. “Ned claims you wouldn’t give him the money for the brood mares. Well Ned finally faced his mortality and decided if he doesn’t work on that cutting horse dream now he never will.” Reggie sat back and smiled like he had told me a revelation of his own.

  I asked, “That’s great for Ned, Reggie, but what does that have to do with land development?

  Reggie looked surprised that I didn’t get the connection. “He is going to let me buy that upper pasture. But it is going to be developed into a cutting horse development center. Ned will sell the buffalo and pay off his loan with you. Then with the sale of the upper pasture he will purchase some high quality cutting horse breeding stock.

  “The development will build a horse center with high end homes spread around the acreage. Ned is guaranteed the use of the facility for the rest of his life. He can do all of his training inside in bad weather. And his home ranch where the house is won’t be molested at all. So I and my group are going to need a loan to buy the pasture and build the horse facility. It will sell like hot cakes!”

  I was dumbfounded. It was actually a great idea and a beautiful solution for Ned and Louise. Not only th
at, the land development loan would be many times more volume than Ned’s ranch loan and maybe make up for Harley’s loan. “That’s wonderful Reggie. Why don’t you get to work on your projections and cost estimates and we’ll get started on the loan presentation right away.”

  Reggie was beaming and so full of himself that he got up to leave my office so he could tell more people about his grand idea. As an afterthought he stopped a second and shot out to Emily, “Are you coming?”

  The transformation that had happened with Emily was next to magical if it hadn’t been so full of greed. When Reggie first came in Emily had been upset by his interruption. Since Reggie’s last big development had stalled out she didn’t have much time or respect for him. The dollar signs were lighting up in her eyes by the time Reggie quit crowing about his coup.

  I was actually thankful to Reggie for several things. First he had defused Emily and her tongue lashing that I was sure to have received for my talk with TT. Secondly, no matter what Reggie was working on he always came to me with the loan request. How being married to Emily made me his loan officer was outside my thought process. Third and more importantly, it was great news for Ned and Louise. Incidentally it also eliminated my arguments with Ned over his ranch loan. The only downside was working with Reggie on the land development loan.

  A loud voice coming from the lobby put me on edge in an instant. Was there some other crisis hitting the bank? As I jumped from my desk to help out with the upset customer I heard a loud voice that sounded familiar saying, “No I will not! I will not take a sales class. I will not fill out your silly sales reports or referral for Sue. I will not pretend to be a salesperson just to make you happy while trying to do my real work.” Judy was standing with her hands on her hips nose to nose with Deb Miller. “You come into this bank from the east coast with all your fancy ideas on sales and throwing your weight around. Nobody wants you here.” It was hard to tell which one of the two was more agitated.