Forty Thousand Dollars in Marked Bills Found in a Safe Deposit Box

on the table between us.

He unzipped the canvas sleeve to reveal a three-piece bamboo fly fishing rod, its varnished wood catching the autumn light from the window.

“Dad’s favorite rod,” I said, touching the delicate brass reel seat.

“He always wanted you to have it,” Raymond said, his voice soft again as he sat down in the chair opposite me. “Let us continue reading …