Previously…

Moments before 2 o’clock,
Kit and Bette emerged from the office after making all the necessary phone
calls and arrangements. Both were basking in their own thoughts that there was
no better friend in the world than one’s own sister. The Planet had died down
after the initial lunch rush and had random tables full of patrons catching a
late lunch. Bette turned to Kit to give her a hug.

Bette: Thank you again,
Kit. I couldn’t do this without you.

Kit: (Pulling Back) Hey,
what are big sisters for anyway? Besides, you did it for me – plenty of times.

Bette hopped back in the
Saab after leaving The Planet. She immediately put her cell phone earpiece in
and started making calls. Bette wove in and out of afternoon traffic and
arrived at her destination 15 minutes before 3 o’clock. After parking the care,
Bette emerged – straightened her appearance – and strode into the bank with a
confident air about her.

Bette had made many
business contacts while working for the CAC and running her own gallery. Seldom
did she ever call upon any of those contacts for personal favors but this was
an exception. Bette had met Amanda O’Brien years prior when she owned and
operated The Bette Porter Gallery. Amanda was a modern art fan, one of Bette’s
most affluent clients, and eventual friend. Bette had always valued Amanda’s
opinion and appreciated her influence in the art community – besides which she
was also one of the most successful members of the banking business. Amanda,
like Bette, had worked hard to get to where she was within her industry and
relied more so on her intellect and business savvy instead of her stunning
looks. Bette had always found Amanda to be highly attractive – and vice versa –
but had valued her friendship more than any one nightstand or ill-fated romance
between the two of them.

Bette walked passed all of
the tellers, scattered desks throughout and into the Commerce and Merchant area
of the bank. Sitting behind a mahogany desk, was Amanda O’Brien’s secretary.
She greeted Bette with a warm smile as she placed the caller on the other end
of her headset on hold.

Secretary: USA Bancorp –
Amanda O’Brien’s office – Please Hold. (Looking up at Bette) Hello, how can I
help you?

Bette: Bette Porter to see
Amanda O’Brien – I phoned earlier.