I took out the heavy blue store ledger I had been checking since early autumn.

I flipped to the section from January 2021.

Three deposit tags were missing from the plastic sleeves.

Mark had told Eleanor he needed extra cash that month to cover emergency dental surgery for Emma.

“He used Emma as a shield for every theft,” I said.

Howard tapped his notebook again.

“You can’t just refuse to pay him, Arthur.

He’ll keep the girl away for good.”