“He figured the officer would tell me it was a private family matter,” I said.

“He figured wrong,” Frank said.

“This document gives us enormous leverage at tomorrow’s asset settlement conference.”

“How’s that?” I asked.

“He can sign the quitclaim deed handing his full interest in the Maple Street equity over to you, or we file civil assault accessory charges by noon,” Frank said.

He took a slow sip of tea, his dark eyes on me over the rim of the cup.

“We leave them no room to bargain.