Daniel’s lawyer tapped his pad twice with a finger, then eased his chair an inch back from the table.

“The bank teller has verified the signatures, Daniel,” the lawyer said softly.

“The state’s attorney will take the equity forgery to a grand jury by Friday.”

Daniel turned to Eleanor, but she had swung her head toward the frosted glass of the outside window.

“Mother?”

Eleanor gave no answer.

She smoothed the front of her navy coat with both hands, her posture stiff and unbending, but her eyes stayed fixed on the gray sky outside.

“So if I sign this, the police report goes away?” Daniel asked, his voice flat.