A third claimed his chicken coop created unsanitary conditions.
Hank cooperated with the appropriate inspections.
He provided records.
Answered questions.
And allowed authorized officials to examine relevant areas.
The complaints didn't establish the violations Moren alleged.
Several inspectors commented that the farm appeared orderly and well maintained.
But the repeated process consumed time.
And time was something Hank couldn't easily replace.
Every afternoon spent answering an unsupported complaint meant another afternoon he wasn't repairing equipment, managing crops, or preparing for harvest.
The environmental inspector who visited in August was a quiet man named Charles Varela.
He examined the relevant farm records and inspected the area associated with the reported concern.
Afterward, he stood beside Hank's truck completing his notes.
"Mr. Briggs, I haven't found evidence supporting the specific runoff allegation in this complaint."
Hank nodded.
"Thank you."
Charles looked toward the subdivision.
"Have there been other disputes involving this boundary?"
Hank laughed without humor.
"More than I can count."
The inspector hesitated.
Then said, "If people are repeatedly making complaints about a property, it's useful to keep the original correspondence and inspection records."
Hank nodded.
"I've started a folder."
Charles looked toward the farm.
"Good."
He finished his report and left.
Hank stood beside the truck for several minutes.
The afternoon air smelled of dry earth and growing corn.
He could hear insects in the field.
Far away, a mower hummed somewhere inside the subdivision.
He thought about the time he'd lost.
The money spent on legal advice.
And the fact that Moren appeared determined to continue until he surrendered something.
That night, he installed additional cameras overlooking his driveway and equipment yard.
They were clearly positioned on his own property.
He wasn't trying to create a confrontation.
He wanted an accurate record.
His father had taught him that machinery couldn't be repaired by guessing.
Hank decided property disputes shouldn't be handled by guessing either.
The cameras recorded their first important incident two weeks later.
At 6:12 on a Tuesday morning, a man wearing a blue jacket appeared near the eastern fence.
He carried a measuring tape and a notebook.
The camera showed him stepping several yards onto Hank's land before stopping beside an old concrete survey marker.
Hank recognized the man.
Todd Falstead.
Moren's husband.
He watched the recording twice.
Then saved a copy.