I reached for the envelope with fingers that suddenly felt heavier than they had a minute ago.It was amazing how a stack of papers could change the mood of an entire room.Five minutes ago everyone had been arguing over burgers and pickles.Now the only sound was the low hum of the refrigerator behind the bar.
I slid the envelope closer and slowly pulled the papers out, laying them across the scarred wooden table.
“I didn’t steal any originals,” I said.“If I had, someone would’ve known immediately.”
Twister leaned forward, already studying the stacks before I finished talking.“So these are copies.”
I nodded.“Everything I could get my hands on before they realized I was looking.”
Twister folded his arms across his chest.“Start at the beginning.”
I took a breath.“I work for the city.You all know that much.”
A few heads nodded.
“My job isn’t exciting.Most days it’s permits, inspections, zoning complaints, occupancy reports.I spend more time behind a computer than I do walking buildings.”
Nugget snorted.“Sounds awful.”
Gramps elbowed him.“Let her talk.”
Nugget lifted both hands.“I’m listening.”
I looked back at Twister.“A few months ago, I started seeing the same company names over and over.”I pulled one document free.“Lakeview Holdings LLC owned an old warehouse.”
Another.
“Capital River Development bought a restaurant.”
Another.
“Heritage Property Group owned two apartment buildings.”
Method frowned.“Different companies.”
“On paper.”I slid another page into the middle.“They all listed different owners.”
Podge reached for it.“LLCs.”
“Exactly.”He studied the page for a second before looking up.“Different names.”
“Same mailing address,” I pointed out.
Podge’s eyebrows lifted.“Interesting.”
“I thought so too.”I spread another handful of papers across the table.“The more I looked, the more companies I found.”
Magnum pushed away from the bar.“How many?”
“I stopped counting after forty.”
Chewy let out a low whistle.“Forty shell companies?”
“Forty that I could prove.”
The room grew quieter.
Rev rubbed a hand over his beard.“That’s not an accident.”
