He unscrewed the metal cap and set it down on the edge of the dark wood.

“And what about my daughter?” Thomas asked.

“She’s in temporary state protective custody until a permanent placement is made,” Vance answered.

Thomas brought the nib of the pen down to the signature line at the bottom of page six.

His hand stayed steady as he signed his full legal name in dark cursive across the page.

He laid the pen on the table next to the cap and slid the thick document over to Vance.

“We’re done here,” Thomas said.