On the back, Daniel had written:
They think the land is worth more if small farms fail.
Priya read the sentence twice.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
She examined the ledgers.
“I think your family was part of a larger scheme.”
For decades, the county had been buying farmland for a proposed industrial development. Most farmers refused to sell.
Then, one by one, some began experiencing unexplained financial trouble.
Loans were called early.
Insurance claims were denied.
Tax penalties appeared.
Properties went into foreclosure.
Investment companies purchased them cheaply.
Daniel had suspected the pattern.
He began collecting records.
Victor and his associates were not merely stealing money.
They were weakening farms until the owners had no choice but to sell.
Our land had been one of their targets.
“But we never lost the farm,” Clara said.
“Because Daniel kept moving funds to cover the losses,” Luis replied. “He worked twice as hard. So did Evelyn.”
