The other held a folded hand truck.
The man in the gray suit looked toward the porch.
His expression changed when he saw the bikers.
He recovered quickly.
“Mrs. Miller?”
Ruth raised her chin.
“Yes.”
“My name is Graham Voss. I'm representing Silver Creek Property Holdings.”
Bear stepped down one stair.
“Afternoon.”
Voss looked him over.
“Who are you?”
“Caleb Mercer.”
“Are you related to Mrs. Miller?”
Bear glanced toward Ruth.
Then answered carefully.
“I'm here at her invitation.”
Voss frowned.
“That's not what I asked.”
Bear remained calm.
“It's the answer you need.”
The man looked irritated.
He opened his document case.
“Mrs. Miller, you've received our notice.”
Ruth nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then you understand why we're here.”
“No.”
Voss stared.
She continued.
“I understand that you're claiming I sold my house.”
He nodded impatiently.
“Correct.”
“But I didn't.”
Voss sighed.
“Mrs. Miller, we've discussed this repeatedly.”
Bear watched him.
The man's tone was changing.
He had begun speaking more slowly, as though Ruth were a child who couldn't understand ordinary words.
Voss continued.
“You executed a valid agreement. The property was transferred. We've been exceptionally patient while you adjusted to the situation.”
Ruth's face tightened.
“I never received any money.”
Voss waved a hand.
“Compensation was handled according to the transaction structure.”
“Then show me where it went.”
For a moment, he looked surprised.
Bear glanced toward her.
That was the woman Thomas married, he thought.
Not helpless.
Just frightened.
Voss closed the document case.
“Mrs. Miller, we're not going to relitigate the transaction on your porch.”
He turned toward the workers.
“Go ahead and prepare the property.”
Bear stepped down another stair.
“Hold on.”
Voss looked toward him.
“Excuse me?”
“Prepare it for what?”
“Possession.”
Bear glanced toward the toolbox.
“Do you have a court order?”
Voss frowned.
“We have a recorded deed.”
“That wasn't the question.”
The man shifted.
“The ownership transfer has been completed.”
Bear nodded slowly.
“Then you can take that position to the court.”
Voss laughed.
“Sir, I don't know who you are, but you clearly don't understand real estate.”
Bear remained quiet.
Voss continued.
“The property is now under our company's control.”
Ruth stepped forward slightly.
“No, it isn't.”
The man turned sharply.
“Mrs. Miller—”
“No.”
Her voice trembled.
But she kept speaking.