“He audited government defense contracts,” I corrected him.

“Supply logistics accounts in the eastern sector, to be precise.”

Julian’s left hand came out of his pocket.

His thumb was pressing hard on the side of his Audi key ring, with the red-tagged brass house key tucked between his fingers.

“Arthur signed the property interest paper yesterday,” Julian said, his voice dropping into a flat, hard tone.

“The county clerk recorded the preliminary notice.

This house is tied into my commercial loan collateral now.”