Martha tapped the top of her yellow legal pad with an open fountain pen, leaving a tiny black dot on the top margin.

“A court-appointed handwriting expert costs three thousand dollars and takes four months to file a formal opinion,” Martha said.

“I don’t have three thousand dollars in my personal checking account,” I said.

“Julian knows that,” Martha said, laying her pen in the crease of her pad.

“He’s using the threat of criminal fraud charges to force you into giving up the house.”

“What happens if I refuse to sign their quitclaim deed by three o’clock?” I asked.