PART 11

The ninety-day review arrived on a cold morning that made the courthouse windows fog at the edges.

I sat in the same row as before, but the atmosphere was different.

Nobody had come expecting a spectacular revelation.

There was no mystery to solve and no hidden letter to read.

We had brought ledgers, receipts, and a statement from the store.

Denise had signed a record confirming that the entire documented loss had been repaid.