I took the formal birth registry inquiry form out of my purse and placed it next to the open ledger.

Clipped inside the cover of the county intake file was a yellow carbon slip dated August 12.

“That’s a commercial wire transfer slip for forty-five thousand dollars,” Martha whispered, pointing one thin finger at the top line.

“Why would a corporate transfer slip be sitting inside my private adoption record?” I asked.

“It was logged as an anonymous donation to the county historical preservation fund,” Martha said.

“Is there a signature approving the wire?”