“Victoria says Walter left her complete authority,” I said.

Vance looked down at his binder, his jaw working silently for three seconds.

“Victoria believes a lot of things that have no standing in the recorded land filings,” Vance said.

“Keep your distance from Brandon’s paperwork.”

“What about this ledger?” I asked, touching the blue leather cover.

“Keep that locked,” Vance said, stepping back toward the door.

“Your father gave me explicit instructions about those notes.”

He opened the door quietly and disappeared into the hallway.