Chapter 9 - The Anatomy of a Threat
Elena felt a cold spike in her chest, but she refused to sit back down. "On what grounds?"
"Structural integrity and access rights," Victoria replied, a thin, triumphant smile returning to her thin lips. "The private access lane crossing the culvert belongs to the Sterling land trust. It was granted as an agricultural easement in 1954. You cannot bring heavy machinery across it without my written signature."
Julian’s heavy tread sounded behind them, his boots thudding down the raw wooden stairs. He stepped between Elena and his mother, his face smeared with grease from a roof hoist, his eyes blazing. "You went to the registrar’s office."
"I protected my property," Victoria said calmly, adjusting her kidskin gloves. "I told you, Julian. You build your life on sand when you rely on commoners. Pay the land trust lease at market commercial rates, or pack up your equipment. And take this girl with you."
"The easement was dedicated to the county in the 1982 flood mitigation charter," Elena said suddenly, her voice cutting through the damp chill of the room.
May you like
Both Sterlings turned to look at her.
Elena reached behind her, pulling a thick green municipal binder from the lower shelf of her supply cart. "I sorted your grandfather’s papers in the attic every spring for five years, Mrs. Sterling. You didn't pay the back taxes on the culvert parcel in 1991. The county took title, and the town council approved it as a permanent public right-of-way during the sewer expansion." She opened the binder to a tabbed section and tapped the faded photocopy with her pen. "You don't own the road. The town does."
