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homes.” She glared daggers toward Jarrett. “Mr. McKane, you knew the conditions of the lease, and you also knew the deplorable condition of the building when you made the purchase.”
    He didn’t agree or disagree. “What I had planned was to help the tenants relocate,” he replied.
    The judge wasn’t buying it. “Seems to me if you’d been sincere you would have answered their letters three months ago,” she observed. “Now you’re throwing them out of their homes as though nothing matters as long as you make a profit. Well, it’s not always about profit, Mr. McKane. My ruling is that you make the necessary repairs to bring the building up to code. I’ll waive the fine as long as you begin immediately.”
    Jarrett bit the inside of his mouth. “Yes, your honor.”
    â€œDon’t think that’s all there is, Mr. McKane. You’re to make all repairs so the place is livable.” Judge Gillard paused and looked at Mia Saunders. “Is there a vacant apartment?”
    Mia nodded. “Yes, your honor, but the apartment is unlivable.”
    The judge nodded. “Good. What’s the number?”
    â€œTwo-oh-three-B.”
    â€œJarrett McKane, I order you to move into apartment203B at Mountain View complex until all repairs are completed. No eviction until March first. Although, I do want to see you back here after the holidays to learn about your progress.” She hit the gavel on the block. The sound echoed around the courtroom. “Court adjourned.”
    â€œJudge, this is highly irregular,” Matt called, but she had already exited the courtroom.
    That left Jarrett thinking about everything he was about to lose. No, he couldn’t lose this. He’d fix this, like he’d fixed everything all his life. He’d figure out a way to get what he wanted. He always did.
    Â 
    The next day, Jarrett and Matt parked in front of the Mountain View Apartments. “You can’t bend any of the rules, Jarrett,” Matt told him. “You have to sleep here every night, eat here and even work here. You can only go to your home to get more clothes and food, that’s all, or the judge could toss you in jail. You know she means business when she instructed me to escort you here personally.”
    â€œDammit, Matt, you’d better get me out of this mess. If Fulton finds out, he’ll walk away from the deal.”
    â€œWell, unless he’ll wait until April, you’re in big trouble. The only alternative you have is talking them into moving out.”
    Jarrett was frustrated. Thanks to Mia Saunders, he had to figure out something. But honestly there weren’t many options since housing was limited in Winchester Ridge.
    He looked toward the yellow-and-brown structure with the peeling paint and sagging rain gutters. It seemed even worse with winter-bare trees, but the grass was cut and the hedges trimmed.
    â€œIn its day, the place was probably a showcase,” Matt observed.
    â€œWell, it’s not 1960,” he told his friend. “And I’m onlygoing to do the minimum that needs to be done. It’s a waste of time and money.”
    Jarrett looked out the Mercedes’ windshield to see someone coming toward them. It was the older woman, Mrs. Madison. He pressed the button so the window went down.
    â€œHello, Mr. McKane.” She slowly made her way to the car. “I’m not sure if you remember me, I’m Nola Madison.”
    He got out of the car. “Were you checking up to see if I was coming?”
    She smiled despite his rudeness. “As a matter of fact, we were watching for you, but only to warn you about what to expect in your apartment.” She shook her head. “It was once the manager’s, but he didn’t take very good care of it. We tried the best we could to clean it up.” She held out a key dangling from a heart keychain. “But I’m afraid it needs