The second probable was recorded in a tally at the end of a description of a brief, confused dogfight. There was no other mention of MacIver in the diary. Leland marked the places for Norma and turned to page 54. The pictures were a fine series of views of the top and tail of the jet to an elevation of forty degrees, showing the jet twisting out of the camera’s field. MacIver had gotten an excellent shot at the plane and it was a tribute to his ability to fly. Leland wrote this opinion on the piece of paper he put over the page as a mark, then put the book in the center of the desk and reached for the insurance file.

He could tell by the thickness of the file, about an inch uncompressed, and the color of the papers, mostly white, that the Manitou Life Insurance Company had found little that it had thought unusual about Colin MacIver. Across the tab of the cover was a string of numbers indicating eight or nine policies collected inside, but Leland already knew that MacIver had compiled his policies over a period of time. The way to read these files was from the bottom, because each new sheet was pinned over those that had come before.

Nov. 1, 1945: “Preliminary application, $2,000 Whole Life. No physical examination requ’d. R. L.”

Nov. 5: “App. $2,000 W. L. beneficiary, estate of the insured.” MACIVER, Colin William, 163 Park Lane South, Port Smith 11. Agent, F. Miller. Single. Employer: Bedell, Quade, Lewis and Byrd, Stockbrokers. Occupation: Clerk. Veteran (Officer) Honorably Discharged. “No additional remarks or comments. F. M.” (That was Miller.)

April 13, 1946: “This is to inform you that I am changing the beneficiary of my policy to Betty Ford, my fiancée. Very truly yours, Colin William MacIver.” It was a note written in a kind of lopsided, childish script.

April 15: “Kindly sign the enclosed form to accomplish the change in beneficiary you desire. Sincerely yours.” This was initialed P. T. It was an onionskin copy of a letter sent by a correspondent in the Beneficiary Division of the Policy Change Department. The company had a form for everything, or could make one. The company never agreed to anything expressed in language it had not written or advised. The form, filled out by the company and signed by MacIver, followed.

Aug. 9: “Please send me the form to change the beneficiary of my policy to my wife, Betty Ford MacIver. Thank you.” He had learned quickly, Leland thought. The reply and the signed form followed.

Sept. 22: Preliminary application for $5,000 Whole Life. Agent Miller. New address for MacIver, 1643 Marshal Foch Boulevard, Port Smith. “Physical examination required. Secure appointment with company doctor. R. L.” A routine decision made by a junior underwriter. Same day: Change of address letter sent. Leland could quote it from memory: “So that we may keep our records properly for your protection, kindly notify us promptly when you change your address.”