“My company has a long-term lease on that property,” Graham stammered, sweat beginning to bead along his hairline. “We have the option to buy. We used the equity value as a secondary guarantee.”

“The lease was terminated for non-payment sixty days ago,” I said.

I pulled another document from the briefcase and slid it toward Henderson.

“This is the certified eviction notice and the lease termination agreement, signed by your office manager, Graham,” I said. “You failed to disclose this to Apex Bank.”

Henderson’s eyes went wide as he read the document.

He looked up at Graham, his expression hardening.

“Mr. Ralston,” Henderson said, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous register. “Did you submit a terminated lease as active collateral for a federal loan?”

“No, there was a grace period,” Graham said, his hands shaking as he reached for a glass of water. “We were working out an extension. It was just a administrative delay.”

“There was no grace period,” I said. “I personally signed the denial of your extension request.”

Graham stared at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and growing terror.