Free The Surge - 03 by Joe Nobody Page B

them up … and put back a little money. A girl has to think about the future, ya know.”
    Chey paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts before continuing. “A few months ago, I started checking around and came across a web page for this bank called Trustline. I was going to be in Abilene anyway, so I came in and filled out an application. At first, I only wanted to borrow about 20 grand, but the branch manager suggested I go ahead and roll in my car loan as well.”
    She went on to explain that one Mr. Carson, a distinguished-looking gent in his early 50s, had nodded, smiled, and seemed sympathetic to the beauty’s dilemma. Cheyenne had left the branch an hour later, the proud owner of a 22-page loan document and newly funded account.
    Chey had made her first payment. When the statement came in the mail for the second installment, the “minimum amount required,” was quite a shocker, well over $3,500 dollars.
    “I called the bank’s customer help line, confused, slightly pissed, but sure it was all a mistake,” the victim continued.
    “What did they say?” Sam asked.
    “The lady in the call center was very nice. She said that it was a brand new loan and wasn’t in their computer just yet. She suggested I stop by the branch and speak with the loan officer. That’s why I went by here today.”
    “And?” Zach said, not liking where the whole episode was going.
    “I wasn’t going to be back in Abilene for a while, so I first called Mr. Carson on the phone. It was as if I was talking to a completely different man. He scolded me like I was a child and kept repeating that I had agreed to the bank’s terms … kept telling me to read the contract … told me it was only going to get worse if I got behind on the loan.”
    Continuing the story, Chey said she then began receiving nasty phone calls, threatening letters, and even a rather rough-looking goon at her door. The bank threatened to expose her as a fraud across the entire internet. “We know your social media accounts. We know where you work. We know your parents own land in West Texas. We’re going after all of it and ruin you in the process.”
    Chey paused, noting the disapproving look on Zach’s face. Anticipating his question, she offered, “Hey, I know I should have said something two weeks ago. I was just so embarrassed and wanted to try to handle this all myself.”
    The tension in Zach’s expression eased and the model continued with her story. “Finally, yesterday, the once-again friendly Mr. Carson contacted me personally. I felt so much better when he said, ‘Come into the branch tomorrow, and I’ll see if we can work something out.’”
    “Let me guess,” Zach interrupted. “He tried to talk you into some sort of kinky, degrading sexual conduct. Probably something very nasty?”
    “No,” Cheyenne replied from the backseat. “Worse … I think.”
    “Don’t tell me you think he has chopped up bodies in his freezer,” Sam questioned, clearly growing upset. “I’ll shoot off his balls if he tried to hurt you.”
    “Before I went to the meeting, I downloaded an app for my smartphone,” Chey stated with pride. “I recorded the whole conversation, and now I’m glad I did.”
    Digging around in her pocket, Cheyenne produced her phone. After clicking a few buttons, the sound of footsteps came from the tiny speaker.
    Listening intently, the two rangers heard Chey being shown to Mr. Carson’s office. He voiced a friendly, professional greeting and then asked the aspiring model to take a seat. The entire conversation was clear as a bell.
    “I’ll come right to the point,” the man boomed. “You’re in default on your loan, and an avalanche of bad things are about to fall on your head. You seem like a nice girl with a great future ahead of you. I’d hate to see this situation spiral out of control and destroy your life. We need to address this immediately, before the fees do any more damage. As of today, Miss, we need $4,750