Chapter 6 - The LienBarrett looked furious. Then David explained what would happen next. Grandpa was taking the necessary steps to secure his unpaid claim against the property. Depending on the legal process in their jurisdiction, that could include a mechanic's lien or similar contractor remedy. David chose his wording carefully. But the part Barrett immediately understood was simple. An unresolved contractor claim could create a serious problem when they tried to sell the house.

His face went white. "What lien?"

Grandpa looked toward the huge front windows, then back at him. "The one attached to the house you're trying to sell."

The real estate agent slowly lowered her tablet. "Barrett?"

He turned. "This is nothing. Walt's just trying to scare us."

David looked at her. "It's an unpaid $6,200 balance for completed renovation work."

She stared at Barrett. "You told me all contractors had been paid."

"They have."

Grandpa raised one eyebrow.

Barrett snapped, "Except him."

A long silence followed. The real estate agent's expression said enough. "You cannot list a property and just not mention something like this to me."

Barrett rubbed his forehead. "It's being handled."

"That's why we're here," Grandpa said.

Then Barrett noticed Terrance. "And why is he here?"

Terrance pushed away from the van. "I'm here because you called my office yesterday."

"For the upstairs?"

"Yes."

"We had a ten o'clock appointment."

"We did."

"Then why are you here with him?"

Terrance looked at Grandpa. "He trained me."

"What does that have to do with our quote?"

"Everything."

"You're refusing the job?"

"Yes."

Priscilla stared at him. "For what reason?"

Terrance shrugged. "I like getting paid."

I had to bite the inside of my cheek. Grandpa shot him a look, but Terrance only grinned. "What? It's true."

Barrett's voice rose. "This is ridiculous. You're all trying to gang up on us."

"No," Grandpa said. "I'm trying to get paid for work you already agreed was done correctly."

Priscilla crossed her arms. "You're doing all of this over $6,200?"

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Grandpa looked at her. "No," he said. "You did all this over $6,200."

Yesterday, $6,200 had apparently been small enough for them to take from an old carpenter. Now that the unpaid bill might interfere with a property worth well over a million dollars, it suddenly mattered.