Turn three records into a clear question list.

1. Inventory what you have

R01 — message copy

A fictional message dated January 10, 2026, at 09:00 says, “I plan to return the camera on Friday.” The copy does not say whether a return later happened.

R02 — photograph copy

A fictional photo file is dated January 16, 2026. It shows a closed box beside a door. Its contents, exact capture time, and who placed it there are not established by the image alone.

R03 — personal note

A fictional note written January 17 says, “I remember hearing the doorbell the previous afternoon.” This is a later recollection, not a contemporaneous delivery confirmation.

Use an index worksheet to record the label, description, source, date, and where the unedited original is kept. These practice labels are not court exhibit designations.

2. Write a neutral timeline

• January 10, 09:00: R01 records a stated plan to return equipment. Actual return date remains unconfirmed.
• January 16, time unknown: R02 shows a closed box. A file date alone does not resolve when a photo was captured.
• January 17: R03 records a recollection about the previous day. Keep the date of the note separate from the date of the remembered event.

On a blank timeline, separate what a source shows, what you remember, and what remains uncertain. Do not turn “a box was photographed” into “the camera was returned.”

3. Make the unanswered questions visible

1. Is the complete message conversation available, including any later update?
2. Where is the original photo, and what is known about its date and context?
3. Is there a record that actually identifies the contents or receipt of the box?
4. Which questions concern missing facts, and which require advice from a lawyer?

Keep an “unknown” entry when you cannot answer a question. Do not fill gaps with an assumption or change an original to make the story clearer.