Nora considered the documents.
Then asked whether Eliza had an attorney.
She nodded.
"Yes."
"Good."
The banker leaned back.
"For now, bring me an updated cash-flow plan that doesn't depend on winning a lawsuit immediately."
Eliza appreciated that.
She'd spent months hearing people talk as though one discovery beneath the ditch would instantly make her wealthy.
Nora didn't treat the problem that way.
She wanted realistic expenses.
Projected harvest income.
And a credible path through the coming winter.
Eliza agreed.
Then asked whether the bank would consider a temporary extension while the investigation continued.
Nora couldn't promise approval.
But she said the request could be evaluated.
For the first time in weeks, Eliza left the bank without feeling that every door was closing.
Victor Sloane made a third purchase offer.
This time, the amount was higher.
Two hundred and forty thousand dollars for the southern acreage.
The letter described the proposal as an opportunity to avoid litigation costs and protect the remaining farm.
Eliza studied it at the kitchen table.
The figure was tempting.
It could reduce most of the debt.
Help repair the farmhouse.
And allow her to start again with a smaller operation.
But the company still wanted the same land.
The south field.
The old ditch.
And the narrow corridor leading toward the historic division system.
She called Allison.
The attorney reviewed the offer.
Then pointed out a clause requiring Eliza to release certain claims associated with historic water access and drainage conditions.
Eliza stared.
"What does that mean?"
Allison explained that the clause could affect her ability to pursue claims arising from the old irrigation arrangement, depending on its final wording and applicable law.
Eliza looked toward the paper.
For several seconds, she didn't speak.
Then whispered.
"So they're not just buying land."
Allison nodded.
"They're also asking you to give up potential legal rights."
Eliza felt cold.
The higher offer suddenly looked very different.
She thought about Samuel.
The years he spent searching for water.
The debts he accumulated while the south field failed.
And the company now asking her to sign away the acreage and associated claims before the investigation was complete.
She folded the letter.
Then looked toward Allison.
"I'm not signing that."
The attorney nodded.
"Then we'll respond appropriately."
The response from Bellwether was swift.
Within days, Victor's attorney sent a letter disputing Eliza's interpretation of the old cooperative agreement.
It asserted that the southern lateral had been abandoned through lawful changes and that the company possessed valid authority to operate the modern distribution system.
The letter also warned against making unsupported public allegations.
Allison advised Eliza to preserve the correspondence.
She explained that companies had the right to defend their legal positions.
A forceful lawyer's letter wasn't proof of wrongdoing.
But the claims needed to be tested against the actual records.
Eliza agreed.
She didn't post accusations online.
She didn't attempt to interfere with Bellwether's equipment.