“You’ll pay either way,” I said.

“The state has a formula.

It doesn’t care whether your office likes you.”

He checked his watch twice and picked up the suitcase.

“Can I look in on her?”

“She’s asleep.

Sunday at ten, and your mother comes in the door with you.”

He stood there a second longer than he needed to, then went out to the walk, and his taillights went red at the corner.