“It’s fully in effect,” Samuel said, clearing his throat softly before turning to the third tab of the blue folder.

He pointed the tip of his gold pen at a line of dark blue ink near the bottom of a corporate lease extension signed three years ago.

“When Alejandro expanded Mendoza Development’s headquarters into the north wing of the commercial plaza, he signed a personal cross-collateral guarantee,” Samuel said.

“Whose land did he list to back that expansion loan?” I asked.

“He listed the ground lease rights of the Varela Trust,” Samuel said, resting his hands flat on the blotter.