“Victor submitted his formal resignation to the state licensing board at exactly ten fifteen,” Arthur said.

I unscrewed the old silver strike plate from the thick wooden door frame.

“Does the state licensing board know about the forged notary stamp on the quitclaim deed?” I asked.

“He cited personal health reasons on the official paperwork to avoid a criminal investigation,” Arthur said.

I pulled the old metal cylinder all the way out of the heavy black wood.

Arthur opened a small square cardboard box and handed me a brand-new brass lock mechanism.