“I handed her the district clearance letter and the withdrawal form,” I said.

“Was Caroline there too?” Evan asked.

“Caroline went out the back door the second she heard the school board had closed the file,” I said.

“She knows Frank’s cousin could get dragged into an administrative inquiry.”

“And your mother?” Evan asked.

“She’ll sign the withdrawal before five o’clock,” I said.

“She knows she has no financial leverage left.”

Evan was quiet for three seconds, the faint sound of his knuckles rubbing together coming through the line.