“That I’m not permitted to talk about, Ms.

Whitcomb.

Not with you, not with anybody.” He said it without any apology, the way he said everything.

“But I’ll tell you this much.

Walter knew his family.

He knew what they’d attempt.”

By two o’clock we’d moved out into the hallway beside the file room, since a paralegal needed the table for a closing.

Thomas stood with his back against the tall window, his pen still in his hand.