Attended class.
Sat through a lecture on nutrient runoff while thinking about chromium.
Mason called twice.
Earl did not answer.
On Friday afternoon an Ashford pickup appeared.
Different man.
Suit beneath winter coat.
He introduced himself as Roger Bell, corporate environmental counsel.
Lawyer.
That alone told Luke something.
Roger stood in the farmhouse kitchen.
He placed a folder on the table.
“We understand samples were taken.”
Earl looked toward Luke.
Luke answered:
“Yes.”
Roger smiled.
“No problem.”
“But because material delivered under the agreement remains subject to certain proprietary process information, we'd appreciate coordination before any third-party testing.”
Luke stared.
“The material is on our land.”
“Yes.”
“And the contract says title transfers on delivery.”
Roger’s smile changed slightly.
“You read it.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Then you understand these things can be more nuanced.”
Luke looked at Earl.
His grandfather hid a smile.
Roger opened the folder.
“Ashford is actually reevaluating several legacy beneficial-use locations.”
“We may be willing to remove some material at no cost.”
Luke frowned.
“Why?”
“Goodwill.”
“Forty-eight thousand tons?”
Roger paused.
“You estimated?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.”
Earl asked:
“You’re offering to haul away something you paid me to take?”
“In selected areas.”
“Why?”
“Operational changes.”
Luke leaned forward.
“Is it hazardous?”
“No.”
“Then why remove it?”
“Public perception.”
“What public?”
Roger’s patience thinned.
“Luke.”
The fact that he knew Luke’s name felt deliberate.
“We are trying to be constructive.”
He slid a document across the table.
“Voluntary material-recovery agreement.”
Luke read.
Ashford would remove current stockpiles.
Farm grants unrestricted access.
Farm releases Ashford from claims arising from historical deliveries after removal.
Luke stopped.
There it was.
A release.
He pushed it back.
“No.”
Roger looked toward Earl.
“Mr. Harper?”
Earl said:
“What he said.”
Roger’s smile disappeared.
“You should have counsel review it.”
“We will.”
“Before making decisions based on preliminary tests.”
Luke looked up.
“We don't have results yet.”
Roger became very still.
He had revealed too much.
Luke felt it.
Earl felt it.
Roger recovered.
“I'm speaking generally.”
Luke asked:
“How did you know the results might be concerning?”
“I didn't say that.”
“You came here with a release two days after we sampled.”
“That is coincidence.”
Earl laughed once.
“Son.”
Roger looked toward him.
“I've farmed fifty-one years.”
“I've seen coincidence.”
“This ain't it.”
Roger closed the folder.
“Then have your attorney contact us.”
“We don't have one.”
“You should.”
He stood.
Luke asked:
“Roger.”
The lawyer stopped.
“Why did Mason tell me not to take a sample?”
“I cannot speak to informal conversations.”
“Why not?”
“Because I wasn't present.”
“You're good.”
Roger looked toward him.
“At what?”
“Talking without answering.”
The lawyer put on his coat.
“That skill is more useful than you think.”