The clock on the wall struck three thirty as the town clerk collected the signed contracts.

Paul Vance packed his yellow legal pads into his leather briefcase.

“Have you got a minute before you head to the garage, Becky?” Paul asked.

“I have to drop Lily off at her afternoon playdate first,” I said.

“Meet me in the school office at five,” Paul said.

I stepped out onto the concrete steps of Town Hall into the cold air.

At ten to four I drove straight to Heckert Auto Repair.