Jack let him.
Good.
Documentation worked both ways.
At 11:06, Sophie found something missing from David’s inventory.
“Main ledger.”
Jack looked over.
“What?”
She showed him the page.
MASTER LEDGER — LOWER BENCH STEEL DRAWER — DO NOT REMOVE FROM SHOP
Jack frowned.
“Why write do not remove?”
Rachel answered.
“Bank audits.”
“David kept original records here.”
They went to the main oak bench.
Lower drawers.
One.
Two.
Three.
All empty.
Then Sophie looked underneath.
Steel rails.
A shallow drawer built into the frame.
Locked.
Jack looked toward blue toolbox.
Sophie saw the thought.
“No key.”
They searched the toolbox.
Nothing.
Rachel said, “Maybe county removed it.”
Gordon, across the shop, suddenly became interested in his phone.
Jack noticed.
Sophie did too.
She whispered:
“He knows.”
Jack said:
“Maybe.”
“Don't accuse without proof.”
“That’s what Dad said.”
Jack smiled.
“Good dad.”
At midnight, county vehicles arrived.
Not demolition equipment yet.
A supervisor named Carl Meyers.
Reflective jacket.
Clipboard.
Tired expression.
He entered.
“Who is responsible here?”
Everyone pointed at Jack.
Jack looked offended.
“Why me?”
Maria said:
“Because you're tall.”
Carl explained:
Demolition begins at seven.
Property inside structure becomes inaccessible at six-thirty.
No one remains during demolition.
Jack agreed.
“We'll be out.”
Gordon approached.
“These people are removing disputed partnership assets.”
Carl sighed.
“Sir.”
“You called me thirty minutes ago.”
“I told you.”
“Ownership disputes are not my department.”
Gordon pointed at the motorcycle.
“That belongs to Redline Hollow.”
Carl looked at Sophie.
Then Rachel.
“Who's property owner of record?”
“County acquired strip and structure through condemnation.”
“What about contents?”
Carl frowned.
“Not ours unless specifically abandoned.”
Gordon said:
“They were.”
Rachel snapped:
“No.”
Carl lifted both hands.
“Exactly why I'm not deciding.”
He looked at Jack.
“If you remove items, document.”
“Already doing it.”
“Good.”
“County demolishes building.”
“Not litigates motorcycles.”
Gordon looked furious.
Carl left.
At 1:20 a.m., Sophie fell asleep in a folding chair.
Rachel covered her with Jack’s spare jacket.
Jack stood outside drinking coffee.
Rachel joined him.
“You did all this?”
“No.”
“You called them.”
“They came.”
“For you.”
“For her.”
Rachel looked through the open garage door toward Sophie.
“She does that.”
“What?”
“Makes people want to help.”
Jack smiled.
“Maybe.”
Rachel studied him.
“Why did you stop?”
“On the road?”