Two weeks after the confrontation on my porch, the cease-and-desist letter went out. Dana had drafted it carefully, citing the unauthorized appraisal, the files taken from my home, and the complaint filed against me at work. It was addressed to Caroline and Charles Ashford, to Grayson, and to Susan Barrett at Barrett & Noble. It demanded that all activities related to my property cease immediately, that any documents obtained about my property be destroyed, and that any plans to refinance or sell be abandoned.
I thought that would be the end of it. I was wrong.
Three days after the letters were sent, I got a call from Susan Barrett herself. I was at my desk, working on a spreadsheet, and when I saw the name on my phone, I almost didn't answer. But I did.
"Ms. Barrett," I said. "I'm surp
