I read the words slowly, adjusting my reading glasses.

The article detailed a failed shopping center project on the outskirts of Henrico County.

Thomas had borrowed heavily from a regional bank to fund the construction.

The anchor tenant had backed out at the last minute, leaving the project empty.

The bank was calling in a twelve-million-dollar loan.

I opened another tab and searched the Richmond court records database.

My fingers tapped against the plastic keys.

Because I had worked as a legal secretary in my younger years, I knew how to navigate the public filings.

It took me twenty minutes to find the chancery court filings.

There were three active lawsuits against Thomas and his limited liability company.

One was from his primary lender, seeking immediate repayment.

Another was from a concrete contractor who had not been paid in four months.

The third was a personal tax lien from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

He owed over two hundred thousand dollars in back taxes alone.

His business was not just struggling.

It was completely bankrupt.

I leaned back in my wooden chair.

The leather seat creaked under my weight.