Ruby created a notebook titled THE ALDRIDGE MYSTERY, though Claire made her promise that homework came first.
Gradually, the history became clear.
Twelve years earlier, Graves Energy had agreed to sell 114 Aldridge Street to the tenants.
Before closing, Malcolm Voss had arranged for Northbridge Asset Services—an entity in which he held a hidden financial interest—to acquire debt secured by the property.
The new debt complicated the cooperative purchase.
Voss then represented internally that the tenants had withdrawn because they could not obtain financing.
To the tenants, he represented that Nathaniel Graves had withdrawn his approval.
Both claims were misleading.
But another discovery surprised everyone.
Malcolm Voss had not personally owned 114 Aldridge for the following twelve years.
Northbridge had sold its interest after only fourteen months.
The building had changed hands three times since.
The present ownership structure was complicated but lawful.
Evan Voss’s management company had recently been hired by the newest investment group.
