“There’s a bit of possibly good news. It’s a listed building in a landmark district. It’s in the National Register of Historic Places. That means it qualifies for a fifty percent reduction in property taxes. You can get further tax relief with a preservation easement, and a large rehabilitation tax credit for restoration work. All the work would have to be done by a qualified restoration specialist, of course.”

“Thanks, I’ll look into that, for sure. I’m not optimistic, though. ‘Qualified restoration specialist’ sounds like it comes with a high price tag.” She thought about the creaky woodwork, the ancient roof, the clanking plumbing. The depleted bank accounts.

“Then perhaps your best option is to persuade your grandfather to sell.”

“I’ll have to explain all this to him. But if I know my grandfather, I know he would never agree to sell.” Natalie was absolutely certain of this. “He’s lived there all his life. Literally. His parents raised him in that very building, and he raised my mom there. It’s the only home he’s ever known.”

“I see.” The lawyer cleared her throat. “Not to be insensitive, but …”

When someone apologized in advance for being insensitive, it was certain that the next thing they’d say would be insensitive. Natalie braced herself. “But what?”

“How old is your grandfather? And how’s his health?”

“He’s seventy-eight. He fell and broke his hip a few months ago and had to move to the ground-floor apartment. He gets around with a cane.”

“What about his mental health?” asked Ms. Hart.

Natalie paused, feeling in some way disloyal for discussing Grandy with this stern-faced stranger. “He’s having memory issues. My mother said he’s been different since the surgery. He’s forgetful these days. He’ll freely admit that—”

“Is there a diagnosis of dementia, then? Because that could actually work in your favor. Showing diminished mental capacity can be a way to take over guardianship and assume general durable power of attorney.”

“Take over? It’s a legal maneuver?”

“It’s a process. A petition is filed, and the court renders a ruling.”

“So I’d have to get a court order declaring my only living relative, a man who has loved and supported me all my life, is incompetent. And then I take everything from him.”

“You’re assuming responsibility for his well-being and quality of life. Fair warning, though. The legal process of being appointed conservator is time-consuming, intricate, exhausting, and expensive.”

“Oh, joy.”

“There are good reasons to have a power of attorney. It will protect you and your grandfather both.”

The lawyer was probably right. Natalie conceded that. But in the wake of Grandy’s loss of his only child, she was not going to take one more thing from him. She stood up and gathered her papers. “Thank you for your time,” she said.