“The closing is set for four o’clock,” she said.

“The bank representative is sending the money straight to Daniel’s account.”

I reached into my dress jacket, took the signed legal stay petition out of my portfolio, and tucked it deep into my coat pocket.

The dining table was covered with the embroidered linen runner Margaret kept locked away in the cedar chest for special occasions.

Eighteen-dollar folded linen napkins lay beside the sterling silver flatware, polished until the handles gleamed like mirrors under the chandelier.

The air smelled of roasted garlic, seared beef gravy and fresh lemon floor wax.