She smoothed them flat on her lap one at a time.

She had on a heavy wool cardigan and a blue silk neck scarf against the evening cold.

“Your aunt is really upset with you,” Margaret said.

“Linda wants my military tax records so she can cover up a bad loan,” I said.

Margaret smoothed her silk neck scarf over and over.

Her fingers ran along the delicate hem again and again.

“We needed ready cash for your brother’s business,” she said.