“The county bank cleared the last escrow transfer twenty minutes ago,” Brenda said, stepping back from the board.

Nathaniel picked up a wide push broom and began sweeping oak sawdust into a neat pile beside the main drafting table.

“Arthur Vance turned in his subcontractor registration tags at the county desk this morning,” Brenda said.

Nathaniel kept the broom moving in steady, deliberate strokes across the concrete floor.

“He gets to keep his personal Ford work truck,” Nathaniel said.

“A man needs a way to haul his own tools home.”