And the next morning, she walked back into the Clawson Community Credit Union. She waited in line. When she reached Ruth’s window, she slid a small paper bag across the counter.
Agnes Kowalski didn’t recognize the return address: Legal Recovery Division, Great Lakes Fiduciary Services, Phoenix, AZ. But she recognized the word “Fiduciary.” It meant someone else was in charge of her money.
“What’s this?” Ruth asked.
Derek’s face went pale. He typed something. Then he said a strange thing: “Mrs. Kowalski, have you spoken to Ruth?”
That afternoon, Ruth walked the paper ledger to Derek. She explained clause 12.4. She explained that the “secret account” was legal, dormant but active, and that no setoff applied because Agnes was merely the custodian.
