Russell reached inside his suit coat, pulled out a manila folder, and laid it on the low table between our chairs.

“Because that particular property was being offered as an urgent distressed sale at nearly forty percent below its true appraised value.”

Walter’s bushy white eyebrows shot up in immediate suspicion.

“A prime residential estate in Wayzata does not drop forty percent without a very specific reason.

Who was selling it?”

“A corporate entity named Northstar Premier Assets,” Russell replied.

“And who is the actual human being behind that corporate entity?” Douglas demanded.

“I am still working with my forensic investigators to verify the beneficial ownership,” Russell confessed, looking down at his shoes.