“Listen to me,” he growled. “I have a meeting at ten o’clock with the regional directors of Apex Capital.”

“They are my biggest creditors. If they think my family is falling apart, they will pull my line of credit.”

“Then you should have treated your family better,” I said.

“You stupid woman,” he hissed. “You have no idea how the real world works. Without my business, you and the girls have nothing.”

“You have exactly two hours to get to my mother’s house and make this right.”

“Goodbye, Graham.”

I hung up before he could answer.

My phone rang again two minutes later.

This time it was Arthur.

“Jocelyn,” Arthur said. “The formal demand for the sixty-six thousand dollars in back rent has been served.”

“Where was it delivered?” I asked.

“To his office in Highland Park. And a copy was sent to his personal attorney.”

“Did they receive it?”

“Yes. My courier confirmed delivery ten minutes ago. They have until noon to wire the funds, or the lease on his office building is legally terminated.”

“Thank you, Arthur,” I said.