Gwen. E. Lippert

      Chapter 1

      2015

      You’re Not Getting Anything

      Gwen stopped breathing when the next customer walked into her bank.

      “David.” She sighed. Even though she immediately knew this wasn’t her David, her heart was already pounding fast in her chest. The pain was nearly unbearable. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

      “He’s in New York, Gwen, living a happy life with his ugly wife and two fat sons. This isn’t him.” She desperately wanted it to be David, even if on seeing her here he turned and left. She felt that one sight of him might fill her empty heart. One sight of him might save her.

      Gwen took another deep breath and opened her eyes.

      “Are you okay?” Gwen’s customer, an elderly lady simply trying to make a deposit, was looking at her with concern.

      “Yes, I’m sorry, Mrs. Kelso. I just have a headache today.” She smiled reassuringly at her customer but then turned her gaze back to the man still standing just inside the door. He looked unsure and nervous. Something was wrong, and her heartache turned to curiosity and maybe even compassion. Part of her wanted to help him, and part of her was just curious what this guy was up to.

      Gwen shook her head and turned back to her customer. “I’m new here, Mrs. Kelso, and with my head pounding like this, I’m drawing a blank on how to process your deposit. Can you please go back to the line and let one of the other tellers help you?” This was only half a lie. Gwen was indeed new at the bank; she’d only been here for two weeks. But she knew exactly how to process this deposit. Mrs. Kelso nodded and obediently picked up her deposit slip and cash and walked away. Gwen felt only a twinge of guilt for having lied to the older lady, but then her attention was turned back to the man who looked so much like David. Something was off.

      *****

      Larry had stopped just inside the door to get his bearings and take a deep breath. He’d been through this in his mind a thousand times. This was going to be simple. He’d be out of here in five minutes, home within the hour, and relocated out of state within a few weeks. It was going to be okay. “Just clear your mind and focus, Larry. You got this.” He straightened his back and surveyed the bank.

      It