“So what are you saying, son?”

“I’m saying the house is bought and paid for,” Nate said.

“And the deed is recorded at the county courthouse in two names.”

Judy looked up at me, her mouth slightly open, searching my face for something that was no longer there to give her.

“Emily,” Judy said, her voice dropping to a quiet whisper.

“Did you know about this check before tonight?”

“I paid the county clerk fifteen hundred dollars in cash from my tip envelope,” I said.