Chapter 6

Ava answered before Hector could.

"The Halvorsen Family Trust," she said. "It has owned this tower for sixty-seven years. I flagged the missing rent to the board two weeks ago. I have the email."

She opened her portfolio, pulled out her phone, and turned the screen toward Ms. Chen. The email was dated. The subject line read: URGENT - Rent arrears and investor disclosure. The board had been copied. Mabry had been copied. No one had replied.

"I gave them until tonight," Ava said. "The launch party. Either they addressed it before investors signed, or I escalated."

Mabry took a step toward her. "You went to the board?"

"I did my job."

"You went behind my back."

"I went to the people who are supposed to supervise you."

The room had fully turned now. The champagne tray was forgotten. Two men near the window put down their glasses. The term sheet folder in Ms. Chen's hand stayed closed.

Mabry tried to laugh again. It came out thinner. "This is internal politics. She's disgruntled. She wanted my job."

Ava did not blink. "I have the lease. I have the letter. I have the email. I have the timestamp. What do you have?"

Mabry looked at the letter in his hand. His own signature stared back at him four times. He folded it once, sharply, as if that would make it smaller.

Gus spoke quietly. "You can fold it. The trust has the original."

"Who are you?" Mabry snapped.

Hector stepped forward. His voice was low, but it carried. "I can't keep saying nothing."

Mabry turned on him. "You work for me tonight."

"I work for the building," Hector said. "And the building belongs to the Halvorsen Family Trust."

The words landed. The investors looked at Gus again. The plain navy jacket. The manila envelope. The calm, weathered face. He did not look like a landlord. That was the problem. That had always been the problem.

Ms. Chen looked at Hector. "And who is he?"

Hector looked at Gus. Gus did not stop him.

Hector put a hand on Gus's shoulder and turned him back toward the party.