Daniel’s face changed. Not dramatically. Just enough. Some men can hide fear if the room is sympathetic. He was beginning to understand the room no longer was.
Claire went pale. “Trust?” she whispered.
“Yes,” I said without looking at her. “Because I plan ahead.”
Joanna continued, crisp and clear enough for the whole porch to hear over the wind. “If any third party has changed locks, excluded legal occupants, or attempted to market the residence for rental without authorization, that may create civil liability and potentially criminal exposure depending on local enforcement.”
Daniel tried to interrupt. “We’re family.”
Joanna didn’t miss a beat. “Family is not a legal doctrine, sir.”
For once, Daniel had nothing ready.
Then, because apparently the universe was tired of subtlety, a white SUV with a magnetic logo on the side pulled into the driveway. A woman in black jeans stepped out carrying a camera case and a collapsible tripod.
Daniel looked at the ground.
I stared at him. “You actually scheduled photos?”
He said nothing.
The photographer approached with the cautious smile of somebody who does not yet know she has walked into a fire.