“This is authenticated?” she asked.

“Her personal attorney in Boston witnessed it,” I said. “I have his contact information.”

“This changes things,” Rachel said, looking up. “This isn’t just a dispute. This is a direct instruction from the founder.”

Daniel’s computer let out a sharp, double chime.

He froze, his fingers hovering over the keyboard.

“What is it?” I asked, sensing the sudden shift in his posture.

“Vance just bypassed the pending status,” Daniel said, his voice dropping an octave.

“How?” Rachel asked, leaning over the desk.

“He didn’t wait for the morning,” Daniel said, pointing to the screen where the red text had just turned green. “He just uploaded a digital waiver of the waiting period, signed by the board’s secretary.”

“That’s Margaret,” I said.

“The deed is recorded,” Daniel said. “The transfer is complete.”

My heart hammered against my ribs as I looked at the screen.

The land was gone.

Before I could speak, my phone on the desk began to vibrate, its screen lighting up with an incoming call from an unknown number.

I slid my thumb across the glass and pressed the speaker icon.