I copied the wording into my notes.

Then I began drafting the request.

PART 3 — THE REQUEST, THE PARKING LOT, AND THE CERTIFIED COPY

By five forty-five, I was standing beside Richard’s car in the Sea Pines Grand Club parking lot.

He had agreed to meet me for ten minutes before heading inside to confirm the dinner arrangements.

A folder of seating cards lay on his passenger seat.

I kept my hands in my coat pockets until he finished checking a message on his phone.