It was a page torn from a hospital information brochure.

On the white margin, someone had written a message in thick, black permanent marker.

The handwriting was sharp and slanted. It belonged to Josephine.

“We bought that house for you,” I read aloud, my voice trembling.

“You owe us the forty thousand dollars for the down payment,” the note continued.

“If we do not get our money back by Friday, we will take everything you have left. Enjoy your sick baby.”

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the harsh words.

“They’re going to sue us,” I whispered. “Or worse.”

“They can’t do anything,” Leo said, though he didn’t sound convinced. “The house is in our names.”

“She helped with the down payment, Leo,” I said. “She has receipts.”

Deputy Miller took the note from the table and placed it inside a plastic evidence bag.

“We’ll keep this with the report,” Miller said. “It’s a clear threat.”

The officers finished taking our statements and promised to file the paperwork immediately.

Once they left, the room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence.