“That is a request I can act on.”

Maya carried the cedar box out with both hands.

It weighed no more than it had on the way in.

She had finally learned what some of the papers inside meant.

PART 5 — An Apology With an Authorization Line

Maya returned to the rented house on Tuesday morning to collect things she had left behind.

Claire knew where she was and waited nearby.

Maya had arranged the visit by message, hoping that a stated purpose and a short time would keep it from becoming another argument.