“He kept the receipts in his desk at the store, figuring I’d never ask Donald for a duplicate copy.”

Clara bent over the table and tapped her silver pen on the margin of the county log.

“The clerk’s office opens its public hearing file in twenty-four hours,” Clara said.

“If you don’t have certified proof that the quitclaim deed was forged before the board sits down, the commissioner will let the bank sell off the Oakridge bungalow to cover the tax debt.”

“I won’t let him sell my house,” I said.