Chapter 6 - The Paper Trail Of The Syndicate
Inside the living room, Marcus spread a map of Travis County across the wooden coffee table beside a laptop computer.
One of the veterans, a communications specialist named Miller, plugged a military-grade drive into the laptop, tapping rapidly on the keys.
"Julian Miller isn't just an arrogant real estate developer, Caleb," Miller reported, turning the screen toward the group.
"He's been laundering money for a commercial land syndicate operating out of Dallas and Houston."
"They've been targeting veteran-owned ranches across Central Texas using fraudulent tax foreclosures and forged power-of-attorney documents."
"Evelyn has been acting as their local informant, identifying properties where the owners are deployed overseas or elderly."
Sarah sat on the edge of the sofa, holding a warm cup of coffee, listening to the full scope of the betrayal that had shattered her life.
"They transferred the Vance Ranch title to a shell company called Apex Land Holdings seventy-two hours ago," Miller added.
"And according to the public county records, they have a commercial demolition crew scheduled to clear the historic homestead at 8:00 AM tomorrow."
Caleb stared at the digital map of his childhood home, his eyes tracking the perimeter fences where he had learned to ride horses with his father.
"They want to tear down the house?" Caleb asked quietly.
"They're clearing the land to build a strip mall and a private resort," Marcus confirmed, pulling a tactical sidearm from his shoulder holster and checking the magazine.
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Caleb looked at the clock on the wall; it was 2:45 AM.
"We have five hours before those bulldozers roll onto my land," Caleb declared.
