“Fifteen hundred dollars for the examination and the sworn report,” Keith said.

He didn’t look up from the lens.

“I need full payment before I start the written comparison for court.”

I opened my handbag, took out three five-hundred-dollar cashier’s checks drawn on my emergency savings, and laid them on the wooden blotter.

That payment left fourteen hundred sixty dollars in my checking account to cover food and utilities.

“The money’s on your desk,” I said.

“Tell me what the ink says.”