“Before we get to the search,” he said, and cleared his throat.

“Your brother asked questions that no son should ask without his mother in the room.”

David tapped his wedding ring against his water glass.

“When?”

“Two weeks ago Tuesday.

He wanted to know whether the garage parcel could be split off from the residential deed, and how long a transfer takes once the paperwork is in hand.” Carl turned the pad a quarter turn.

“I told him I wouldn’t open that file without Martha sitting in this chair.”