She touched the crescent scar under her chin before putting the kettle down.

“She said you’re going into Gene’s back office.”

“We have about an hour before Gene gets back from the inn,” I said.

Claire picked up a red marker and laid it across the top binder.

“If Gene finds out what we’re taking out of that safe, he’ll offer you another check to go away.”

I opened the first binder and snapped the metal rings apart.

“I’m not taking ten thousand dollars from Gene, and I’m not signing any waiver.”