“That sounds like a serious problem,” I said, opening my car door.

“Jocelyn, listen to me,” he pleaded, his voice cracking. “I need you to help me. I need you to come to the bank.”

I sat in the driver’s seat and pulled the door closed, shutting out the noise of the country club.

The silence inside the car was absolute.

“I have nothing to say to you, Graham,” I said.

“Jocelyn, please,” he said, his voice dropping to a desperate whisper. “If I don’t get this sorted by five o’clock, the bank is going to call the loans.”

I looked at my reflection in the rearview mirror.

My eyes were steady.

Before I could reply, another call waiting notification flashed on my screen.

It was Sterling.

I switched lines, leaving Graham holding the other side of the call.

“Yes, Sterling?” I said.

“Jocelyn,” Sterling said, his professional tone unchanged. “We have a situation. Graham’s primary creditor just filed a formal inquiry about his sudden asset freeze.”

“And?” I asked.

“He is heading to your office right now,” Sterling said. “He thinks he can force you to sign a waiver.”