“If it was seventeen years ago, surely someone else has cleared it out by now,” she said.

“Not if the lease is still being paid,” I said.

I opened the California Secretary of State business registry on my second monitor.

I logged in using my military legal credentials to access the active property leases.

I searched the geographic sector corresponding to the coordinates.

My fingers tapped quickly against the keys.

The database loaded a list of active corporate entities holding leases in that county.

I scrolled down the list of active commercial tenants.

The name of the leasing corporation appeared in bold text.

*Vanguard Logistics LLC.*

“Vanguard,” I said aloud.

“Is that one of Gregory’s companies?” Eleanor asked.

“It’s a subsidiary of Richards Enterprises,” I said.

My heart began to beat faster against my ribs.

“Gregory’s firm is still paying the lease on this facility,” I said.

“Why would he keep paying for an old storage unit in the middle of nowhere?” Eleanor asked.

“Because he doesn’t know what’s inside it either,” I said. “Or he’s keeping it locked down so no one else can look.”