Chapter 7

However, Leon got the good news much earlier. No sooner had the bank opened at 10 am then he spied Horndecker stepping through the front doors. As usual, he was dressed in a sloppy, ill fitting suit, white shirt and string tie. On his head was his usual derby hat.

Leon watched the owner of the River Bend Press approach his desk.

“You know if somebody called Winston Conlee got an account in this bank?” were the first words out of Horndecker

Leon was expecting him so he played his part like a veteran actor in a star role.

“Winston, let me see,” he muttered as he thumbed his way through the thick ledger that contained the bank’s records. “What did you say his last name was?”

“It’s Conlee, Winston Conlee.” Horndecker raised his voice as if Leon hadn’t heard him the first time.

“Oomph, let’s see. The name doesn’t sound too familiar. He from around here?”

Horndecker shrugged. “Damned if I know, the name’s not familiar with me either.”

Leon continued to play his role to perfection. He took his time turning pages and running his fingers through tightly typed columns. “Conlee, Winston Conlee.” He kept repeating the name as if he were going to forget it. Then his finger stopped.