Howard’s office was nearly empty when I arrived.

He brought me water instead of coffee and cleared a space across from his chair.

“Did you sleep?”

“A little.”

“Then we’ll go slowly.”

He opened the binder and compared the company papers with his retained closing file.

He checked the available land records, looked for later transfers, and made notes about documents he wanted confirmed through the usual channels.

He did not announce a victory after seeing my signature.