"No."
There was so much pain in that one word that Grant didn't ask again.
Inside, the farmhouse smelled of cedar, old books, and cinnamon.
Family photographs covered the walls.
Thomas appeared in almost every one.
He was a tall man with dark hair and a serious expression.
In one photograph, he stood beside a construction crew.
In another, he held a fishing rod beside the creek.
In another, he sat on the porch beside Evelyn.
Grant noticed something in several photographs.
Thomas wore a small silver ring hanging from a chain around his neck.
"Was your husband in construction?"
Evelyn nodded.
"Engineering."
"What kind?"
"Environmental engineering."
Marcus looked up.
"Environmental?"
"Water systems. Soil contamination. Industrial waste."
Grant studied the photographs again.
"When did he retire?"
"Twenty years ago."
"And he never talked about his work?"
"Not much."
Evelyn walked to an old wooden cabinet.
She opened a drawer.
Inside were dozens of envelopes arranged neatly.
"My husband became secretive during his last few years."
"About what?"
"Everything."
She took out one envelope.
"Three years before he died, he told me that if anyone ever tried to buy this property, I should refuse."
"Why?"
"He wouldn't explain."
Grant stared at her.
"What did he say?"
Evelyn closed her eyes.
"He said, 'If they ever come here, don't trust the first story they tell you.'"
Grant felt a chill despite the warmth of the room.
Before he could respond, headlights appeared through the front windows.
Everyone turned.
Two black SUVs were climbing the driveway.
Behind them came a pickup truck.
Evelyn's face went pale.
"They're early."
Grant looked at his men.
"Nobody touches anybody."
The others nodded.
Grant stepped onto the porch.
The first SUV stopped.
A man in a charcoal suit stepped out.
He was around forty-five.
Clean-shaven.
Expensive coat.
Perfect posture.
He carried himself like someone who was accustomed to being obeyed.
He closed the SUV door and walked toward the farmhouse.
"Mrs. Carter."
Evelyn remained behind Grant.
"Mr. Vale."
Adrian Vale smiled.
"I hoped we'd have an opportunity to speak privately."
"You've already spoken."
"Then perhaps you understand the situation."
"I understand that you want my home."
Vale's smile disappeared.
"Northstar has legally acquired the property."
"No."
"Mrs. Carter—"
"No."
Vale's eyes shifted toward Grant.
"And who are these gentlemen?"
Grant answered calmly.
"Friends."
"Friends?"
"That's right."
"Armed?"
Grant raised an eyebrow.
"No."
Vale glanced at the others.
He seemed disappointed.
"I'd prefer to avoid unnecessary conflict."
"So would we."
Vale pulled a folder from his coat.
"We have documentation showing the property was transferred."
Evelyn's hands began trembling.
Grant noticed.
He stepped forward and accepted the papers.
The first page contained a property transfer agreement.
Thomas Carter's name appeared at the bottom.
Grant studied the signature.
"Mrs. Carter, did your husband sign this?"
"No."
"You're certain?"
"He was right-handed."
She pointed.
"That signature is left-handed."
Grant examined it again.
She was right.
The signature looked strangely cramped.
Vale remained calm.
"A court will determine authenticity."
"Then let a court determine it."
"We were hoping to resolve this peacefully."
"You brought three vehicles and six men."
Vale glanced toward the pickup.
"Security."
Grant smiled.
"That's one word for it."
Vale turned toward Evelyn.
"You should consider accepting the settlement."
"What settlement?"
"Two hundred thousand dollars."
Evelyn stared at him.
"To leave my own home?"
"To transfer ownership."
"I won't."
Vale sighed.
"I was afraid you'd say that."
Then he looked toward the farmhouse.
"Unfortunately, we have already scheduled demolition."
Evelyn's face went white.
Grant stepped forward.
"You're not demolishing anything tonight."
Vale looked at him.
"You have no legal authority."
"Neither do you."
A silence followed.
Then a sheriff's cruiser appeared at the end of the driveway.
A deputy stepped out.
He approached cautiously.
"Evening."
Vale immediately relaxed.
"Deputy Collins."
Grant looked at the deputy.
Something about the interaction bothered him.
Not the deputy.
The way Vale said his name.
Like they knew each other.
Like this wasn't the first time they had spoken.
Deputy Collins adjusted his belt.
"I received a complaint."
Grant asked, "From who?"
Vale answered.
"Northstar Development."
Collins looked toward Evelyn.
"Mrs. Carter, I understand you've been informed of the property transfer."
"I've been informed of a lie."
The deputy sighed.
"Let's keep this calm."
Grant stepped closer.
"That's exactly what we're trying to do."
Vale looked at him.
"Mr. Mercer, I believe."
Grant's expression changed.
"You know my name."
"I know who the Iron Wolves are."
"Then you know we don't go looking for trouble."
"Perhaps."
Vale glanced at the motorcycles.
"But trouble seems to follow you."
Grant smiled without humor.
"Funny thing about trouble."
"What?"
"It usually recognizes the people who invited it."
Doc stepped beside Grant.
Marcus remained near the house.
Owen stood with his arms crossed.
The deputy looked increasingly uncomfortable.
Vale opened his folder again.
"I have legal documents."
Grant pointed toward the farmhouse.
"And she has the original deed."
Vale's expression tightened.
"That deed is outdated."
"Then why are you in such a hurry?"
Vale said nothing.
Grant noticed.
That silence was more informative than any answer.
"What's on this land?" Grant asked.
Vale looked at him.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"Eleven acres of pasture."
"Then why spend this much money for it?"
"Development."
"What kind?"
"Commercial."
"On eleven acres?"
Vale smiled.
"You're not a businessman, Mr. Mercer."
"No."
Grant looked toward the creek.
"But I know when someone is paying too much for something."
Vale's jaw tightened.
The deputy cleared his throat.
"Mr. Mercer, unless there's a legal reason for you to remain here, I'd recommend everyone avoid escalation."
Grant looked at him.
"We're leaving when Mrs. Carter is safe."
Vale shook his head.
"This isn't your concern."
Grant answered quietly.
"Tonight it is."
For several minutes, nobody moved.
Then Vale checked his watch.
"I'll give you until six."
Evelyn whispered, "You already said that."
"I'm changing the terms."
Grant's eyes narrowed.
"Why?"
Vale looked at the farmhouse.
"Because I think you need to understand how serious this is."
He turned toward the vehicles.
"We'll return at six."
The SUVs began backing down the driveway.
The deputy followed.
Grant watched until they disappeared.
Only then did he turn toward Evelyn.
"What aren't you telling us?"
Evelyn stared at the empty driveway.
Her hands were trembling.
"I don't know."
Grant shook his head.
"You know something."
She closed her eyes.
"My husband did."
"Thomas?"
She nodded.
"He told me never to trust anyone who asked questions about the creek."
Marcus looked toward the water.
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"Did he ever explain?"
"No."
Grant walked inside.
"Then we start looking."
Evelyn followed.
"What are you looking for?"
"Anything your husband left behind."
She hesitated.
"Why?"
"Because men don't threaten an elderly woman over eleven acres unless those eleven acres are worth more than they appear."
For the next hour, the Iron Wolves searched the farmhouse.
They didn't tear anything apart.
They moved carefully.
They opened drawers.
Checked cabinets.
Examined old books.
Looked behind photographs.
Doc searched the study.
Marcus examined the basement.
Ray checked the barn.
Victor searched the attic.
Owen walked the property with a flashlight despite the fact that it wasn't dark yet.
Grant stayed with Evelyn.
"Tell me about Thomas."
She looked at the photographs.
"He was quiet."
"Always?"
"Mostly."
"Angry?"
"Never at me."
"Secretive?"
"Near the end."
"What changed?"
Evelyn sat down.
"About six years before he died, he started waking up at night."
Grant waited.
"He would sit on the porch until morning."
"Why?"
"He said he was listening."
"To what?"
"The water."
Grant frowned.
"The creek?"
"Yes."
"What did he think he would hear?"
Evelyn looked at him.
"I don't know."