My phone in my purse began to vibrate, the screen lighting up through the leather.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the phone.

The screen showed the name of the administrator at Shady Grove.

My fingers trembled as I pressed the phone to my ear.

“Claire Bellamy,” I said, my voice shaking.

“Ms. Bellamy, this is Director Vance,” a polite, strained voice said. “I am calling to let you know there has been an inquiry into our property lease.”

I looked up at Grant, who was still smiling.

“What kind of inquiry?” I asked.

“A private investment group has made an offer to buy the land,” Director Vance said. “If the sale goes through, we may have to transition our residents to another facility within thirty days.”

I closed my eyes, the cold air of the courthouse hallway pressing against my chest.

Grant leaned in close, the scent of his expensive pine cologne filling the space between us.

“Everything has a price, Claire,” he whispered.

“I have to go, Director Vance,” I said, and hung up the phone.