The dining table had already been taken out when Claire reached for the last folder.

Its former place showed as a clean rectangle on the floor.

“That goes in the cedar box,” she said.

I held the lid while she placed the ledger in its protective sleeve, followed by the retained statements and the organized copies of the relevant agreement.

Originals needed for the continuing process were kept where counsel and the responsible record holders directed; our family collection did not replace the formal file.

The extra envelope from Julian’s desk had been delivered for review.