Chapter 5 - The Deed
The deed contained a clause Mason had concealed.
Iron Ridge’s land could never be sold without approval from seventy-five percent of the ownership shares.
Club presidents had operational authority.
They did not own the ground.
The deed also established a community repair fund.
Ten percent of every event, membership payment and charity ride donation was supposed to support injured riders, mechanics’ families and emergency vehicle repairs for low-income residents.
Lena knew that fund.
After Luke’s back surgery, he applied for help.
Mason rejected him.
He said funds were limited and priority went to members with greater standing.
Two weeks later, Mason purchased a custom motorcycle worth ninety thousand dollars.
Walt opened the hidden account statement.
The repair fund should have held nearly three million.
Only twenty-eight thousand remained.
Mason called the missing money administrative expenses.
A veteran near the stairs looked at him.
“My wife’s wheelchair van broke down last winter.”
The club denied his application.
Another member’s daughter lost her apartment while caring for her injured father.
She received nothing.
Mason’s private travel, luxury truck and ranch renovations had all been paid through club management accounts.
Working people’s emergency money had financed the president’s wealthy lifestyle.
Lena’s voice trembled.
“Luke knew.”
Mason stared at the deed.
“He misunderstood the accounting.”
“He repaired motorcycles.”
“He wasn’t an accountant.”
Lena looked at him.
“No.”
“He was the man who noticed people kept paying while no one received help.”
Then Walt found a recent withdrawal.
Two hundred thousand dollars had left the fund the night Luke disappeared.
The payment went to a private security consultant hired by Mason.
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Its description read:
Containment of internal threat.
