“Did you get an answer from Spencer’s bank?”

“We did,” Mr.

Bellamy said, his voice flat and exact.

“The loan officer at First Western confirmed that Mr.

Ashford junior has ninety-four thousand dollars in unsecured personal debt, with foreclosure proceedings underway on his Charlotte townhome.”

“That’s why he jumped me in the parking lot,” I said.

“He needs the lake property to pay off his balance before the bank forecloses.”

“Patricia’s lawyer sent a settlement draft over this morning offering ten thousand dollars for a full release of your claims,” Mr.