He swallowed hard, his throat working twice before he answered.

“The merger signing is set for Friday at ten,” Arthur said.

“Her people already sent in the preliminary state filings.”

“They can’t finish the filing without a valid power of attorney,” I said.

Arthur reached into his bottom drawer and took out a heavy iron notary press.

He lined the parchment sheet up on his blotter, pushed his palm down until the metal gears clicked into place, and inked the stamp.

“I kept my daily logbook from March,” Arthur said, his voice getting steadier as he signed on the line.