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“Vera, we’re on a schedule,” Soren said for the second time.

“Which of you wants the ring?” Vera asked.

“That’s me,” I said.

“Come on back,” Vera said. “I’ve got quite a few stashed back here.”

Vera turned and started down a narrow aisle. We followed in single file, ducking occasionally on account of various floor lamps.

To my right stood an old dentist’s chair, its green upholstery cracked at the edges. A tray of metal instruments rested beside it.

Jack touched my shoulder and made a face.

“What’s that for?” I asked, too curious to let it go.

“I’ve been known to do some emergency dental work. Mostly just friends,” Vera said. “My uncle was a dentist. Taught me all his tricks.”

“Um, isn’t that what dental school is for?” Jack asked.

Vera gave him a withering look. “You ain’t from Montana, that’s plain as day.”

At the back of the basement was a workbench beneath a bright lamp. Above it, shallow wooden drawers filled an entire section of wall, each with a small handwritten label. Vera pulled out a stool.

“Have a seat.” She pointed at a saggy loveseat, sounding irritated that we hadn’t sat already.

Soren, still holding the goose, asked where she would like him to put it.

“Too heavy for you?” Vera asked.

“Not exactly,” Soren said.

“Put it in the corner there,” Vera said. “Careful.”

“It’s hot in here, Vera,” Soren said, setting down the goose and shrugging out of his coat.

“Gotta stay ahead of the cold here, young man,” Vera said.

“Right, makes sense,” Soren said under his breath.

“How’s your mama?” Vera asked. “Good woman, that one.”

“She’s well, thank you,” Soren said.

Vera turned to me. “You know what you want?”

“Kind of.” I handed her my phone with the photo of the ring from the movie.

Vera lowered her visor and studied the picture.

“Yellow gold. Engraved shoulders.” She enlarged the photograph with two fingers. “Diamond’s kind of small for a fancy gentleman such as yourself.”

“It is?” I asked.

“What does she do for work?” Vera asked. “Or is she your arm candy?”

“She’s a doctor,” I said, somewhat offended.

Vera looked up. “Then I wouldn’t put anything too high on her hand. It’ll catch when she pulls her gloves on.”