Its principal representative, Russell Vane, was forty-four, with dark hair, expensive boots, and an instinct for finding people who were tired enough to accept unfavorable terms.
The company was evaluating a project involving specialty agricultural facilities and a utility-access corridor across several neighboring parcels. The plans were preliminary, and the eventual development would depend upon permits, financing, engineering studies, and the acquisition of enough contiguous land.
But Russell understood one thing.
The Bennett farm occupied an awkwardly important position.
Its northern boundary lay across a narrow strip needed for the most direct access route. The old spring system and associated drainage area complicated the engineering, but they also offered a potential opportunity for controlled agricultural use if the relevant water and land rights could be established.
A developer willing to pay fair prices and negotiate openly could have approached Grace honestly.
Russell preferred another method.
He wanted the property before she understood how valuable its location might be to the proposed corridor.
Dale was useful.
The old farmer knew the Bennett family's finances.
He knew Frank had died.
And he understood that Grace was working extra shifts to keep the farm operating.
Russell offered Dale a referral fee if he helped complete acquisitions in the neighborhood.
The written arrangement didn't explicitly authorize harassment or deception, but Russell repeatedly encouraged him to emphasize the risks of refusing an offer.
“Make sure she understands the market,” he said during a meeting at Dale's kitchen table.
Dale nodded.
“She knows the farm's struggling.”
“Then she knows she has a limited window.”
Dale frowned.
“What's the company planning to do with the old spring?”
Russell looked toward a map.
“Evaluate it.”
“Evaluate it for what?”
“Possible low-volume agricultural supply and drainage management. Nothing is approved yet.”
Dale studied the map.
The proposed corridor crossed the northern edge of Bennett's Hollow.
He recognized the old fence.