“Why would I accept property from you, Charles?” I asked.

“Because it secures your son’s financial future,” he said, holding the pen out to me.

“It settles the family accounts without any more public unpleasantness.”

He thought every human impulse could be turned into a real estate deal.

He honestly believed I was holding out for a bigger piece of his estate.

“I don’t want your money or your houses,” I said.

Charles froze, his arm hanging in midair for three seconds before his fingers slowly tightened around the pen.