Which meant it was only a matter of time before help came.
I had a feeling Lola thought the same thing.
“Pull in there,”Lola said as we reached the Ridgemont Bank.
Vera eased the SUV into a parking spot near the entrance.
“Don’t think to pull a fast one, Pepper, or Vera dies,” Lola said. “Now get out and stay close.”
My mind immediately began working on a new problem as I got out of the car. How in the world do I alert someone to what’s going on without getting Vera or myself shot?
We entered the bank, looking like an ordinary trio of friends. Lola kept Vera close, her large purse continuing to hide the gun. Anyone would simply think she was holding onto the elderly woman’s arm like a helpful friend.
My eyes swept the lobby, searching for anything or anyone who might help.
That was when I spotted Henry Walker, someone I had no doubt Lola had manipulated into giving her all the information she needed to pull off the bank heist with the least amount of trouble. Still, with the gun on Vera, I couldn’t take the chance.
He stood near one of the desks speaking with a teller.
Lola noticed him at the same time as I did. Her smile brightened as she guided Vera in his direction.
“Hello, Henry,” Lola said warmly. “I’m so glad you’re here. My friend needs to make a withdrawal from her safety deposit box.”
The man actually blushed. “I’ll get the manager to help you.”
“Oh, I was hoping you’d help us, sweetie.”
Vera was right, Lola purred like a cat.
He lowered his voice. “While I would love to do that for you, Lola, inspectors don’t help customers. I will get a manager to help you.”
“I am disappointed, but do what you must,” Lola said sweetly.
That exchange confirmed that Henry Walker was just a pawn, used to get info on the safety deposit boxes. That way, Lucas knew exactly what he was walking into and could make it a fast in-and-out job.
“Wonderful,” Lola said pleasantly.
A manager led us toward the vault, holding the boxes.
Vera went to her box and once both keys were inserted, the manager pulled out the box for her and laid it on the table in the center of the room. Then, according to procedure, left the room.
Vera opened the box.
It was empty.
“Oh goodness,” she said. “It’s one of the ones I emptied.”
I couldn’t decide if Vera had just done something very foolish… or very wise.
CHAPTER 31
Lola stared into the empty safety deposit box.
For a moment the vault went completely silent.
The pleasant smile she had worn since appearing at the garden center vanished as if someone had wiped it from her face.
“You think this is funny?” she asked, her tone sharp with anger.
