The brass clasp had been fixed in June for forty-five dollars and still needed a second push before it caught.

I wrote four words on the yellow pad and stared at them for a long time.

Captain Samantha Ross, self-represented.

The clasp caught on the second push.

I put the Delaware certificate back inside, along with the notepad and the letter.

Then I set the alarm for six and laid the gray skirt and the white blouse out over the back of the chair.

The brass key to the lockbox went into my coat pocket, where it would knock against the zipper as I walked.