I went over to the rows of brass mailboxes along the side wall.

I found box four twelve and tried the lock.

The little metal door swung open easily, showing a small, empty rectangle of space.

This was precisely where the court would mail the custody orders.

I shut the box and locked it again.

I walked out to my car and held the silver key up against the steering wheel.

For the first time in five weeks, I had a piece of my life that Richard couldn’t get into.

I started the engine and headed for the hospital.