“Why would I release my claim? I’ll buy them out.” He could tell Carol thought he didn’t have two nickels to rub together. He wore a ripped-up fleece, a pair of old jeans, big boots. His hands were covered in dirt.

“Either way,” Carol said, “I’m out of the picture. Nobody wants the property if someone else claims to be on the deed.”

“I really want that house.”

“I can see why you would. I had half a mind to buy it myself. It’s a special place.” She flashed him a smile. She seemed harsh, like so many of the year-rounders. But he could tell she was kind.

“So, it was Ann who told you the title was clear?”

“I’d really prefer not to get involved. I think you should ask her yourself.”

“But I’m right here and I’m asking you.”

“Like I said, I’d really rather not get involved.”

“You were lied to.”

Carol paused. She shuffled through some of the paperwork and passed a form across her desk. She pointed at Ann’s signature on the bottom line. “See?”

“I see.” Michael pushed his chair away from the desk and stood up abruptly. “I’m sorry about your listing.”

“Maybe it was an honest mistake.”

“Nah. Ann’s mistakes are never honest.” He walked toward the door to leave but hesitated.

“You can’t cut a house into three parts,” she said. It was charitable of her to offer advice. “You can buy out the other interests, or come up with a way to share the property. That’s easiest. Actually, it’s easiest when there’s a will, but there’s no sign of that.”

“I’ll bet Ann’s made sure of that. Ed was the kind of guy who would have left a will. He taught history. He documented stuff.”

“Ann said she’s looked everywhere.”

“What does it mean if Ann says something? She might have found it and destroyed it if my name was on it.”

“Maybe, but I don’t know. Seemed to me she would have preferred a will, like she felt bad about selling in the first place.”

“Any other options?”

“Worst case, I suppose you can file a petition to partition.”

“What does that mean?”

“You force the sale. The house usually ends up at auction. It’s not your best option. You might end up bidding against each other. It could end up going for more than you’ll be willing to pay. And you risk it going to some other party.”

“Nobody is going to get that house but me.”

“Good luck, Michael.” He thought about asking her out—there weren’t many people to date on the Cape—but he had too much to think about.

Michael pulled the door open, and a gust of cool air blew into the office.