“I have to get this affidavit to the courthouse before five.

Head back to my office and wait for me there.”

At ten to five the legal aid office was silent except for the low hum of the desktop computer in the corner nook.

Arthur was still at the county building.

I sat alone at the spare desk, holding the little silver locket at my neck between my thumb and forefinger.

The computer monitor clicked quietly as it refreshed the inbox on the screen.