“How did you know it was me?” I asked in surprise.

“Valerie sent me a text message from the scene,” she explained in a steady, unhurried tone that made her sound like she was in her late sixties.

“I want to sincerely apologize for the chaos tonight.

This inspection was supposed to be a completely routine matter.”

“Nothing about my night feels routine at all,” I confessed softly.

“I completely understand that,” she replied, and I could hear the faint sound of paper rustling on her end of the line.

“Your aunt Madeline left very specific instructions that certain legal documents should be reviewed if the Maple Avenue property was ever involved in a marital separation, a title transfer, a refinancing attempt, or an ownership dispute.”