It said a quarter past six.

“You’re Frank’s legal next of kin,” Howard said.

“The store’s open to retail customers until nine on Thursdays.

As next of kin, you have a statutory right to inspect primary estate records kept on business premises before probate closes.”

“Tim is working the retail desk tonight,” I said.

“He’s run the front counter since I was twelve.”

Howard drew a fresh retainer agreement out of his side drawer and laid a wooden fountain pen next to it.

“My fee for appearing at an after-hours document inspection is three hundred and eighty dollars.”