Page 52 of The Me I Left Behind

She cracked her door open. “Jason, stay here with Chloe.”

“Sure.” He grinned then, apparently eager to watch the drama unfold.

Stepping out of the car, she looked toward the house as the front door opened. An older gentleman moved onto the porch, chatting with Carol—who caught her eye and waved frantically. Logan followed.

“What the hell?” Maggie slammed the car door and sprinted for the porch.

“Mom! He’s here for a house inspection. Did you call him?”

The man approached with an outstretched hand. “I’m Matthew Riley,” he said. “I’m with Final Look Home Inspection.”

Maggie shook his hand. “Home inspection? I don’t understand.” She glanced at the kids. Carol looked frustrated. Logan stood there looking a little sheepish.

The inspector gave her a puzzled look. “This is the Oliver residence. Correct? Max and Maggie Oliver.”

“Yes. I’m Maggie Oliver.”

He glanced over the paperwork on a clipboard. “We had an appointment scheduled for four o’clock this afternoon to do a pre-inspection on the house.”

“Pre… What? Authorized by who?”

He glanced at the paper again. “Mr. Oliver, I believe.”

“What? Why?”

“Sometimes people do inspections before the sale, so they can see what needs to be fixed before it goes on the market.”

Maggie watched Carol’s eyes fly wide open and felt hers do the same. “On the market? What sale?”

“Mom, what’s going on?”

“I’m not sure.” She turned to the gentleman. “Do you mind… May I see that?” She gestured toward the clipboard.

He shrugged. “Sure.”

She took it and scanned the information on the sheet. The person requesting the inspection was indeed Max. He’d listed his address in Brisbane and a phone number. Not his cell phone number.Goddamned motherfucker.“Carol, do you have your phone? Mine is in the car.”

“Yes.” She moved around the inspector.

“Take a picture of this page, please.”

The inspector stepped forward, reaching for the clipboard. “Now, wait. I’m not sure….”

Maggie jerked the clipboard out of his reach. “Look. It’s my house and my information on this page. I have a right.” She thrust the clipboard out, away from the inspector.

Carol quickly snapped several pictures of the form. “Got it.”

“Great. Send me those.” She handed over the paperwork and peered at the man. “No inspection today, Mr. Riley.”

He cocked his head. “Now, I’m going to get into trouble if I don’t get this done today. We have a tight schedule and lots of business—I just can’t pop in here on a moment’s notice.”

“We’re not getting an inspection. I’m sorry for your trouble.” Maggie held eye contact with him for several seconds. “Max Oliver doesn’t live here anymore, and this is not his house.”

“But he’s already paid.”

“Then deal with him, not me. Not my problem.” She glanced toward his truck. “Now, please move your vehicle so I can get mine in my garage. I’d appreciate it.”

“But what do I tell Mr. Oliver?”