His eyes narrowed as he traced the legal coordinates.

“Brandon pledged those twelve lots as primary collateral for his four-million-dollar commercial credit line,” Pembroke said, his voice dropping to a quiet rumble.

“He told my investment group the town board signed off on the zoning variance last month.”

“The town board rejected the variance unanimously in August,” I said.

“The land is unbuildable flood plain.”

Pembroke picked up a gold fountain pen and turned it slowly between his thumb and forefinger, looking at the state seal stamped on the corner of my document.

“Victoria swore on Walter’s memory that the title was free of encumbrances,” Pembroke said.