Eleanor straightened.
"Mr. Bennett, this individual attempted to deposit a fraudulent check."
Arthur looked at her, then at the shredder.
"What check?"
"A ridiculous counterfeit for one hundred and fifty million dollars."
His mouth opened slightly.
"Where is it?"
"I destroyed it."
Arthur stared at her.
Then he looked at me again.
"Get your knee off him."
Hank hesitated.
"Sir, he was resisting."
"I SAID GET YOUR KNEE OFF HIM!"
The entire lobby froze.
Hank immediately released my wrists and stepped backward.
Arthur knelt beside me, his hands trembling.
"Mr. Vance, are you all right?"
I wiped blood from my mouth.
"No, Arthur."
His expression collapsed.
"Someone call an ambulance."
Eleanor looked between us.
"Mr. Bennett, who is he?"
Arthur slowly rose.
"This is Marcus Vance."
She blinked.
"The Marcus Vance?"
"The man who acquired First Heritage Vanguard Bank this afternoon."
The silence that followed felt heavier than the marble beneath me.
Arthur continued.
"He owns this institution."
Eleanor's face went pale.
Hank looked down at the baton in his hand.
I pushed myself into a sitting position, refusing Arthur's attempt to lift me.
"Three hours," I said quietly.