Luke nodded.
“Already done.”
The man in the gray suit stared.
The four bikers didn't move.
Ruth stood between Bear and Luke.
Her walker remained steady on the porch.
And for the first time, Graham Voss looked as though the afternoon wasn't unfolding according to his plan.
The deputy who arrived was a woman in her late thirties named Elena Alvarez.
She had served with the county sheriff's department for fourteen years and possessed the calm expression of someone who had handled far too many family disputes, property disagreements, and arguments involving people who believed their paperwork gave them permission to do whatever they wanted.
She parked behind the cargo van.
Then stepped out.
“Afternoon, everybody.”
Voss approached immediately.
“Deputy, these men are interfering with a lawful property transfer.”
Alvarez looked toward him.
“Are they?”
“Yes.”
She glanced at the bikers.
Then at Ruth.
“And who's this?”
Ruth raised her hand slightly.
“I'm Ruth Miller.”
Alvarez smiled.
“Mrs. Miller. You live here?”
“For fifty-three years.”
The deputy nodded.
Then turned toward Voss.
“What exactly are you asking my office to do?”
He opened his document case.
“We hold title to the property. Mrs. Miller was notified to vacate.”
Alvarez examined the documents.
She didn't treat them as worthless.
A recorded deed could create a serious legal dispute.
But she also didn't treat Voss's paperwork as proof that he possessed immediate authority to remove a resident.
“Do you have a court-issued order for possession?” she asked.
Voss hesitated.
“The deed establishes ownership.”
“I asked about an order authorizing removal.”
He looked irritated.
“No.”
Alvarez nodded.
“Then my office isn't here to conduct an eviction.”
Voss stared.
“This woman has been given notice.”
“I understand.”
“She's refusing to leave.”
Alvarez looked toward Ruth.
“Mrs. Miller, are you disputing the sale?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have an attorney?”
Ruth nodded.
“My lawyer is reviewing everything.”
Luke supplied Nora's contact information with Ruth's permission.
The deputy documented the situation.
Then she turned toward Voss.
“This is a disputed civil property matter. You need to pursue the appropriate legal process.”
He opened his mouth.
Alvarez continued.
“You don't have authority from me to enter an occupied residence, change locks, or remove somebody's belongings merely because you've brought a recorded deed.”
The workers looked relieved.
Voss's face reddened.