“You should be ashamed of yourself, Mara!” Gene called, stopping at the foot of the steps.

“Wasting your time on a complete stranger who popped up out of nowhere to grab your father’s estate!”

Deputy Cole raised a flat palm toward Gene and looked up at Claire, who stood beside me on the wooden porch under the yellow bulb.

“Ma’am,” Deputy Cole said, keeping his voice even.

“Mr.

Miller says you’re trespassing on private property and interfering with an active estate.

He wants a formal trespass warning issued today.”