“That check was never deposited with the county treasurer,” Margaret said.

“Right now the property taxes on the six-bedroom house are in default.”

I took Evelyn’s reading glasses out of my breast pocket.

I unfolded the wire arms and wiped the right lens with my handkerchief.

“If the taxes are in default, any commercial loan officer would flag the title,” I said slowly.

“Exactly,” Margaret said.

“Three weeks ago the bank flagged his loan application when they ran their routine tax check.”

“So that’s why he demanded fifteen hundred dollars a month in rent from me,” I said.