I opened my canvas travel bag and took out the two things I carried to every assignment.

The silver class ring went on the right corner of the blotter, its crest facing the door.

Next to it, I set the heavy brass desk clock my father had given me when I passed my first board exams.

I turned the small key on the back three times until the winding mechanism caught.

The second hand swept across the white face with a tiny, steady click that filled the quiet room.

On the left side of the blotter lay Arthur’s gold fountain pen, beside the carbon copy of Derek’s trust refusal form.