I picked up the fat envelope and pushed it deep into my leather purse.

We stepped out onto the broad concrete sidewalk.

The spring air carried the smell of wet grass from the city park across the street.

Traffic crawled along the avenue.

“You’re spending a small fortune on this investigation,” Margaret said.

“I’d spend every cent I have to protect my son,” I said.

“Vanessa is running an organized financial scheme.”

“And Patricia’s the one in charge,” Margaret said.