A few days later, Prentiss summoned me back to his office. Once again, it was after business hours, but this time we were the only ones on premises.
“Lloydie and his sister will be here soon,” Prentiss said. “Did you bring the check?”
“Of course,” I said.
I’d gone to the bank a few days earlier and arranged for a cashier’s check in the amount of $150,000, made out to May Pen Development Company, which was the name of Lloydie’s sister’s shell corporation.
The New Hopeton Bank’s first ever clients arrived minutes after eight. Lloydie Gordon was a short, nondescript man around Prentiss’s age. His sister- believe it or not, I never got her first or last name, was a few years older. She was a handsome woman, like a church deaconess, but with a sharp Brooklyn edge, as evidenced by the thick, gold jewelry that covered her wrists and neck.
The deal was done in ten minutes- no small talk, minimal discussion of terms. This was not a quick money flip. I was willing to wait for full payment. Lloydie appreciated my lack of hardline energy. And his sister was nothing more than the front. Prentiss had delivered to me exactly what he had promised.
After the paperwork was signed and my bank check exchanged hands, Prentiss locked up the shop and we stood on the sidewalk.
“Alright, you’re on your way now,” Prentiss told me.
“Seems like I am,” I agreed. “Working my way back into civilian life, one cashier’s check at a time.”
We continued to stand there, not speaking. For some reason, this moment felt extremely important. Another crossroads.
“What are you getting into now?” Prentiss asked.
“I have no idea, but I’m extremely hungry,” I replied.
