The completed account showed $4,280 for records research and obtaining records, $3,615 for storage, and $6,940 for Daniel’s review and filing work.

The remaining $3,165 covered the documented related copying, delivery, travel, and other retrieval costs.

The charges were more than I would have agreed to without questions.

Having receipts did not make each choice sensible or authorized.

The total was $18,000.

Claire laid the invoices beside the proof of payment so I could compare them myself.

“I can tell you where it went,” she said.

“I can’t tell you I had the right to keep it from you.”