In the garage office, Dean called an emergency club meeting. Riders arrived from work wearing construction dust, paramedic uniforms, mechanic shirts, and warehouse badges. The V-twin rumble accumulated outside until tools hanging on the wall began to vibrate.
Sparks, our treasurer, brought the old loan file from the locked cabinet.
Daniel’s signature appeared on page forty-seven.
Beneath it was a handwritten note never shown to us during the approval process: “Character risk assessed through direct observation. Borrowers demonstrate unusual loyalty to employees and customers. I recommend approval.”
Eleven names were listed.
Mine was fourth.
“We owe him,” Mack said.
“Debt doesn’t mean we get to humiliate him,” I replied.
Sparks adjusted his glasses. “What exactly are we proposing?”
Nobody knew.
