Julian came to the shop after closing with an envelope in his hand.
I was wiping down the counter. "If it's another draft agreement, leave it outside."
"It's not."
I didn't invite him in. He put the envelope on the windowsill and stepped back.
"I found the office that prepared the partner list," he said. "They used a letter sent from the estate address."
"Who sent it?"
"I don't know yet. The original email account is inactive."
"Convenient."
"I know."
I picked up the envelope. Inside was a copy of my original lease and a letter from the trust promising not to terminate it during the land-use review. It did not guarantee renewal.
"This gives me six months," I said.
"It gives you time to negotiate."
"Not the same thing."
"No."
I kept reading. My business name appeared in a clau
