“If Vance gets the title, he can clear-cut the entire eastern tract before we get a court date,” I said.

“He wants to break ground on the access roads by Wednesday,” Daniel said. “Once the trees are gone, the preservation status is effectively useless to the state.”

We pulled into the underground parking garage of Rachel’s building.

The concrete structure was cold and smelled of damp earth and exhaust fumes.

Daniel parked in a bay near the elevators and killed the engine.

The sudden silence in the car was heavy.

“Let me see the portal details again,” I said.

Daniel handed me his phone.

The screen showed the public index for the Concord Land Registry.

Under the pending transactions, a filing stood out in bright red text.

*Transfer of Title: Hart Foundation Parcel B to Harrison Development Group.*

Below it, the status read: *Pending Notary Verification.*

“Look at the notary ID,” I said, zooming in on the small text.

“I see it,” Daniel said, leaning closer. “It’s Margaret’s personal seal.”

“She isn’t even a registered notary in this county anymore,” I said. “Her license expired two years ago.”