Allison compared it with the later records.
She found no complete document clearly establishing that the Hart property had voluntarily surrendered its historic access rights.
There were references to a proposed amendment.
Administrative correspondence.
And several incomplete approvals.
But the record chain raised serious questions about whether the company had possessed authority to operate the bypass as a permanent replacement for the original distribution arrangement.
Eliza read the findings twice.
Then called Allison.
"Does this mean Dad was right?"
The attorney paused.
"It means the evidence supports a serious challenge to the position that your family's rights simply disappeared."
Eliza closed her eyes.
For a moment, she felt Samuel beside her.
His worn hands.
His old notebook.
And the way he stared toward the south field when the crop began failing.
Then Allison continued.
"We still need to establish the precise rights, whether they've been modified through any valid process, and what remedies are available."
Eliza nodded.
"I understand."
But tears were already rolling down her cheeks.
The years of uncertainty had not been caused only by her father's failure to maintain a ditch.
The legal and operational history was far more complicated.
And there was evidence that the Hart farm had been deprived of water through arrangements that had never been properly explained.
Victor requested a meeting.
Allison advised Eliza to attend only with counsel present.
They met in a conference room at the county agricultural center.
Victor arrived with two attorneys and a regional engineering consultant.
Eliza came with Allison and Lena.
For a moment, the contrast was almost absurd.
On one side sat a polished corporate manager in an expensive suit.
On the other sat a young woman in a clean plaid shirt and denim trousers, holding the notebook her father had left behind.
Victor opened the discussion.
"We believe a cooperative solution is preferable to continued conflict."
Eliza nodded.
"So do I."
He smiled.
"Then perhaps we can revisit the land purchase."
She looked toward him.
"I'm not interested in selling the south field."
Victor's smile faded slightly.
"Miss Hart, you have a struggling farm and significant financial obligations."
Allison raised one hand.
"We're here to discuss the water-system concerns and potential resolution."
Victor leaned back.
For a moment, his expression hardened.
Then he looked toward Lena.
The engineer explained the physical findings.
Water remained available within the historic system.
The northern division configuration affected the southern branch.
And the condition of the old Hart lateral required assessment and repairs before dependable service could be restored.
Victor listened.
Then his attorney discussed the company's interpretation of the cooperative agreement.
Allison responded with the 1998 memorandum and recorded documents.
The discussion continued for almost two hours.
Nobody shouted.
There was no dramatic confession.
But as the meeting progressed, Eliza noticed something.
Victor no longer claimed that the historic supply had simply dried up.
Instead, he argued about who possessed the right to direct it.
The change mattered.
For years, Samuel had been told there was no useful water to recover.