“Sir, I need you to step back.”

Samantha’s voice came from the phone I had set down on the step.

“I’m still here.

The county clerk stamped the hold notice on the deed at three forty-five this afternoon, while I was in that office.” She said it loudly enough for the step to carry it.

“Mr.

Baldwin, you pulled the sole property owner out onto her own porch, and the officers behind that ambulance will want to discuss it.”

I heard one of the police cars first, a low engine and then the parking brake.