I looked at the dates on the forms Caroline had brought. One was October 28. Another had been printed October 30.
The dates were close enough to touch and far enough apart to matter.
The clerk returned carrying a sealed folder.
She set it on the counter.
“One page is flagged.”
“Which page?”
The clerk opened the folder only as far as the marker.
“Signature line.”
Caroline took the page.
The form listed Hannah’s name, the date, and the attending office. Underneath, the line where a signature should have been was empty.
“Who completed this form?”
The clerk checked the lower corner.
“Initials only.”
“Whose initials?”
She hesitated.
“I can tell you what the record says. I cannot tell you why it says it.”
Caroline looked at me.
“That is enough for now.”
I watched her place the page back in the folder.
“Do you have the original entry for October 28?”
