47 CAMERON CAITIFF
November 7
“I’ll give the employees the ‘all clear’,” I volunteered, fixing my eyes on Ms. Kawn and the Clark girl. “Okay, folks. The good news is we didn’t find any explosive devices in your building. We believe the phone call was a prank. Thank you for your patience. It is now safe to return inside and go on about your day,” I said, watching a look of horror spread like a rash across the teen girl’s face.
“Hey, y’all.” The heavy-set branch manager called her employees into a team huddle. “Just grab your stuff and head on home now. I’ll deal with the closin’ activities and lock up for the evenin’. It’s nearly closin’ time, anyway,” she said. The bank staff looked relieved, if not haggard.
“You’re closing the bank?” I heard Ophelia ask the branch manager. Her demeano
