“If I choose another place to live?” Barnaby asked.
The clerk checked the conditional proposal.
“The custodian’s consent may be required under the maintenance responsibility.”
He left one claw beside the word may.
The proposal offered transactions, testimony, and protection against careless handling. Beneath them it placed movement and substantial maintenance under somebody else’s registered responsibility.
It was nearly the answer he wanted. Nearly could hold a very large door shut.
“No,” he said.
The clerk looked toward the empty custodian line. Felix did not move to fill it.
