“He provided for her every day.”

“He gave you his mother’s solid brass compass when you graduated from logistics school,” Victoria said, turning slowly to face me.

“He didn’t give it to my daughter.

He gave it to an adopted girl who spent her years away from this town.”

I stood by the corner of Walter’s desk, keeping my hands flat against my sides.

“He gave me what belonged to his family line,” I said.

“I spent twenty-two years keeping up his social reputation,” Victoria said.