Page 14 of Key West Homecoming

“I'm in Key West.”

“Already? That was fast.”

“I flew down yesterday. I wanted to see the property.”

“And?”

“It’s nothing like what I was told. Not even close.”

“I could have told you the property was in good standing. I didn't know that was something of an issue for you. Ms. Kendrick, I want to be careful about what I say here. I can tell you what I know about the transaction from a title standpoint. I can't advise you on your family situation. What did you find at the property?”

“A tenant, who’s lived there for three years and has paid rent monthly to my uncle. He got a letter two weeks ago from someone telling him the sale was going through and that the new owners would keep him on as a tenant. I don't know who sent it. He said the name meant nothing to him.”

“That letter didn't come from us,” Samantha said. “And it didn’t come from the buyer. The buyer is a short-term rental LLC. They wouldn’t keep a long-term tenant on.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“I don’t like the sound of that letter.”

“Neither do I.”

“Where do you stand on finding an attorney?”

“I called my lawyer in Chicago last night. He gave me two firm names in Miami. I haven't called them yet.” Emma paused. “I'd rather find someone in Key West. Someone who knows the area.”

“That’s a reasonable instinct. I don’t have a name for you, but I’ll ask around today.”

“Thank you.”

“Closing is still scheduled for a week from Friday. Ten days. I want to be honest with you, if you're going to stop it, you're going to have to move fast.”

“I know.”

“Do you want me to alert the buyer’s counsel that we’ve had a contact with a potential claimant?”

Emma thought about it. “Not yet. Give me a day. I appreciate that you'd like to say something, but you don't want to say something that isn't true. Once I have an attorney of my own, I'll want them to handle that outreach.”

“I understand, but you're going to have to keep me updated just as soon as you have a definitive plan. You have to understand my position. I didn't have to contact you.”

“I understand, Ms. Larson. I truly do.”

“Call me just as soon as you know your plans. I can’t hold this information much longer.”

“I will, Ms. Larson.”

“Samantha.”

“All right, thank you, Samantha. I know you didn’t have to contact me.”

“Ms. Kendrick, I hope you know you're not being crazy about any of this. That letter isn't something a normal seller sends. You're right to be here.” She paused. “And I'll be straight with you about my own end of it. Closing a file and having a claimant turn up six months later does me no good at all. Being thorough is cheaper than being sorry.”

They ended their call and Emma’s phone rang again before she had a chance to stand up. She knew who it was before the name finished loading.

“Marcy.”

“Emma, hi. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. What’s going on there?”