“I lived here with my husband. We raised our son here. I buried both of them while this was still my home.”
She swallowed.
“I didn't sign it away.”
Voss stared at her.
Then he adopted a colder expression.
“That's a matter for your attorney.”
Luke raised his phone.
“As it happens, she's speaking with one.”
Voss looked toward him.
“Who are you?”
“Luke.”
“Another relative?”
Luke glanced toward Bear.
Then answered.
“Someone Mrs. Miller asked to be here.”
Voss looked toward the four black leather vests.
His frustration became obvious.
“Gentlemen, this is a private matter.”
Bear nodded.
“It belongs to Mrs. Miller.”
“And your presence isn't necessary.”
Bear looked toward Ruth.
She took a breath.
“I want them here.”
Voss stared.
Then he turned toward the workers.
“Change the locks.”
One of the workers began approaching the gate.
Tucker moved toward him.
Not aggressively.
He simply stood beside the entrance and spoke.
“Sir, the owner disputes your authority to enter, and there's no court order being presented.”
The worker hesitated.
He looked toward Voss.
“Boss?”
Voss pointed toward the house.
“Do the job.”
The worker glanced at the four bikers.
Then toward the elderly woman.
He slowly lowered the toolbox.
“I'm not comfortable with this.”
Voss's face reddened.
“I'm paying you.”
The worker shook his head.
“You told us the property was vacant.”
Silence.
Ruth stared.
Bear turned toward Voss.
“Vacant?”
The man said nothing.
The worker continued.
“You said there were no residents.”
Voss's expression hardened.
“That was the information provided.”
Luke looked toward Ruth.
She was shaking.
Bear's jaw tightened.
He took a slow breath.
Then turned toward the workers.
“This lady lives here.”
The first worker nodded.
“I can see that.”
Dean had been recording the conversation from a reasonable distance.
He lowered his phone slightly.
“We've got the date, the vehicles, and the statements.”
Voss stared at him.
“Are you threatening me?”
“No.”
Dean's voice was calm.
“Just preserving what happened.”
The man looked toward the road.
Then back at the house.
For a moment, he seemed uncertain.
Finally, he pulled out his phone.
“I'll call the sheriff.”
Bear nodded.
“Please do.”
That answer surprised Voss.
He'd apparently expected the bikers to object to law enforcement.
Instead, Tucker reached for his own phone.
“Aunt Nora said we should contact the non-emergency number if anyone tried to enter without authorization.”