Evidence.
Everything became evidence now.
At 5:47, Trish returned.
She brought three people.
One was HOA attorney Bradley Shaw.
One was board treasurer Linda Price.
The third was a young man carrying a camera.
Bradley walked directly toward the combine.
Ben stopped him.
“You need to stay outside the active equipment area.”
“My client has a lawful interest in this property.”
Ben nodded toward me.
“He says she doesn’t.”
“We have an executed contract.”
“You have a photocopy.”
“A binding photocopy.”
“Maybe.”
Bradley looked irritated.
“Deputy, you’re not qualified to determine contract validity.”
“Correct.”
“So you need to prevent Mr. Mercer from destroying property subject to a commercial agreement until a court can review—”
Ben held up a hand.
“I’m definitely qualified to determine who owns the corn.”
Bradley glanced toward the field.
“Ownership is complicated by the recreational-use clause.”
“Not complicated for me.”
I had walked over by then.
