Page 66 of Hart's Redemption

I shook my head.

“Excellent. Before we begin, I have a point of interest I am to address with you per Detective Hart’s express wish.” He paused as if to ensure he had my full attention. “No one is to know of the bond. He understands that there are those like myself and Eric Trappinger that are already aware of the connection, but he requests that the information continue to be contained for your own personal safety.”

“What about his safety?”

“It goes without saying that your safety directly affects his.”

I repressed a wince at the obvious logic.

“Do you agree to limit this knowledge?”

“What happens if I don’t?”

“Detective Hart asked that I convey his deep desire that you do so and implore you to trust him.”

It wasn’t exactly as if I could say no after that. “Fine. I’ll limit the knowledge to as-needed.”

“Should you find it difficult to comply, there are measures that can be taken.” He pressed his long fingers onto the page nestled within the folder. It was then that I realized it wasrealpaper and not a data sheet.

“What’s that?”

“A magical gag order. Detective Hart insisted it wouldn’t be necessary. However, I like to cover all eventualities.”

I swallowed hard. “It won’t be needed.”

“Excellent.” He closed the folder and switched it out for a data tab. “On to the estate.”

“What estate?”

“Joshua Hart’s estate, of course. You are the co-trustee and sole heir should he forfeit his claim in whatever circumstances may occur. As such, you should be aware of the assets.”

“Trustee? Heir? Assets? What are you talking about? I can’t be Josh’s heir.”

“But you are. All the paperwork is in order, signed, filed, and executed.” He passed me the data tab and picked up another for himself. “If I could please direct your attention to page thirty-six.”

I stared down at the tech in my hands like it was a live adder that would turn and sink its fangs into me at any moment. At a subtle throat clearing, I navigated to the requested page, and my eyes nearly fell out of their sockets. “What in the moon’s name am I looking at?”

“That would be Detective Hart’s net worth.”

Lombardi kept talking, but all I could hear was white noise. “Moons of Jupiter. That’s a lot of zeros…” I whispered under my breath.

He glanced over. “Ah yes, that’s only a partial account of the holdings. The assets we need to address begin on line fourteen.”

My gaze traveled over the obscene breakdown of wealth. I knew Josh had money, but this was… incomprehensible. Finally, I found what Lombardi wanted me to look at. It turned out to be a substantial list of real estate holdings. “I don’t understand. This looks like he owns practically the whole state of Washington.”

“Not the entire state. With the restructuring he initiated, state holdings are down two-thirds from viable properties to acquire unsettled land. The estate proper is now five times its original survey.”

I tabbed to the next page and saw a sketched layout of a massive structure surrounded by undeveloped forestland. “This is Josh’s house?”

“Yes. In lieu of the detective’s signature, I will require yours.” He reached for another folder and spun it around. Within rested a formal declaration of property.

“What’s this for?”

“Detective Hart was in the middle of a price war when he was arrested. This page represents his victory in the acquisition of the disputed land. As I’m sure you’re aware, all land ownership over one hundred thousand acres requires an original signature by the possessor.”

I stared dumbly at the page. “A hundred thousand acres?” That was almost a third of Klamath pack territory.

“Seven hundred and fifty thousand, five hundred and twenty-five, to be exact. Once you sign, the estate holding will be around five hundred total.”