"There are two more properties I want to flag. Both in Idaho — a hardware store and a veterinary clinic. Different company, same pattern. Hidden routing, off-book project codes, properties that don't match the development profile."
"You think it's another Langford?"
"I think Langford wasn't unique. I think he was just the one who got caught."
Silence on the line. The silence of an attorney recalculating the scope of a problem.
"Can you put together a preliminary analysis? Same format as the Coldwell file?"
"I already started. I'll have it to you by Friday."
"Nico." She pauses. The professional register softens by one degree. "You know we can't pay you for this. The NSRC runs on grants and donations. Consulting fees aren't in the budget."
"I know."
"But if you're serious about doing this — and based on the last three weeks, you're serious — I want to talk about formalizing the arrangement. Pro bono consulting, official NSRC affiliation, access to our databases. You'd have legal protection and institutional backing."
"I'd like that."
"Good. I'll draft a letter of engagement." Another pause. "For what it's worth — what you're building here? The pattern analysis, the financial forensics? Nobody else is doing this. The advocacy organizations fight the cases after they surface. Nobody's looking for the pattern before the next community gets torn apart."
"That's the idea."
"It's a good idea. I'll call you Friday."
I hang up. Set the phone face-up on the bar.
Ezra's laptop is fully closed.
"You heard all of that," I say.
"Shifter hearing. I hear everything. It's a burden."
"You're smiling."
"It's involuntary."
"You're proud of me."
"That's also involuntary." He opens the laptop. "The depreciation schedule is almost done. You were right about the garage equipment — the write-down was three years overdue."
"I'm always right about depreciation."
"You're always right about everything. It's your worst quality."
"I thought my worst quality was the exit sweeps."
"You stopped doing those."
"I did." I look at the bar. The oak, the grain, sixty years of people. The window where Mango is sleeping. The kitchen where Jason is singing something off-key. The corner where Silas is reading with a focus that borders on religious practice. "I stopped needing to."
* * *
At noon, Cass calls.
"Nico! I booked the flight. I'm coming for five days. Uncle Martin paid. He said, and I quote:It's an investment in family infrastructure.He's learning feelings, Nico. It's terrifying."
"It's progress."
