Chapter 1

The woman from the leasing office in Austin sounded hesitant on the phone.

"Mr. Thompson, there's a small issue with your credit check."

My stomach dropped. I needed this apartment for the new software job.

"An issue? What kind of issue?"

"It shows an unpaid state franchise tax bill," she said. "And a delinquent small business loan. Both are linked to a 'Thompson Family Ventures LLC'."

Thompson Family Ventures LLC? I'd never heard of it.

"And it lists you, Michael Thompson, as the Registered Agent and Treasurer."

My mind went blank. Registered Agent? Treasurer?

"That can't be right," I said. "I don't own a business."

"The paperwork is pretty clear, sir. It's affecting your application."

I thanked her, my voice hollow, and hung up.

The excitement about my new job, my new life in Austin, drained away.

A sick feeling started to grow.

This had my family written all over it, specifically, Uncle Rick.

I needed to call my dad.