Luke looked at the pile.
Toxic.
Potentially valuable.
And Ashford suddenly wanted it back for free.
Dana saw the connection too.
“The removal agreement.”
“Yes.”
She exhaled.
“That is interesting.”
Earl whispered:
“They paid me to take it.”
Luke looked toward him.
“Then they offered to remove it.”
Dana added:
“And asked for release.”
No one spoke for several seconds.
Then Earl stood.
He walked toward the kitchen sink.
His hands gripped the counter.
Luke saw his shoulders shaking.
“Grandpa?”
Earl did not turn.
“I let them put it here.”
Luke approached.
“Stop.”
“I signed.”
“They certified it.”
“I signed.”
“You asked questions.”
“Not enough.”
“Grandpa.”
Earl finally turned.
His eyes were wet.
“What if it gets into Miller’s well?”
“We don't know that it did.”
“What if Pine Run—”
“We don't know.”
“Cattle—”
“They’re fenced away.”
“I should have stopped when they quit sending tests.”
Luke stepped closer.
“You were trying to keep this farm.”
“That does not make it right.”
“No.”
Luke swallowed.
“But it makes it understandable.”
Earl looked at him.
Luke continued:
“We deal with what’s true now.”
“Not what you wish you did six years ago.”
His grandfather stared.
Then laughed weakly.
“When did you become old?”
“Chemistry class.”
Dana smiled faintly.
Then became serious.
“I have a recommendation.”
“What?”
“Do not call Ashford yet.”
Luke frowned.
“Why?”
“Get counsel.”
“Notify the state properly.”
“Preserve samples and documents.”
“If the company knows exactly what you found before you protect evidence, you may lose leverage.”
Earl looked toward her.
“You think they'd destroy records?”
Dana answered honestly.
“I think good organizations can contain frightened people.”
“And frightened people do stupid things.”
That afternoon Luke found the lawyer.
Not through money.
Through Professor Price.
Her brother knew an environmental attorney in Columbus named Marisol Vega.
Forty-eight.
Former state environmental enforcement lawyer.
Now represented municipalities, farmers, and small companies in contamination disputes.
Luke called.
Expected voicemail.
Marisol answered.
He explained.
She interrupted twice.
Once to clarify contract language.
Once to ask whether anyone had signed the proposed release.
“No.”
“Good.”
When he finished she said:
“Do not speak to Ashford again without me.”
Luke looked toward Earl.
“How much do you cost?”
Marisol laughed.
“Less than forty-eight thousand tons of contaminated slag.”
“That isn't helpful.”
“I can do initial review at reduced rate.”
“Professor Price owes me a favor.”
“Why?”
“She once backed my truck into a courthouse bollard.”
Luke almost smiled.
“Okay.”
“Send me contracts.”
“Lab report.”
“Delivery logs.”
“Photographs.”
“Do not alter the site.”
“Do not let Ashford remove anything.”
“Lock gates if lawful.”
“And Luke?”
“Yes?”
“Do not threaten them with the results.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“You’re nineteen.”
“I can hear your voice.”