He never saw it.

And on Tuesday morning, the excavator arrived.

Page Three

Russell's attorney answered on the second ring.

Her name was Lydia Chen.

“Russell?”

“Morning.”

“What happened?”

“I need you to pull the Ridgeline road easement.”

A pause.

“That sounds encouraging.”

“Page three.”

“I have it.”

“Read the crossing clause.”

Lydia was silent.

Then she read it aloud.

“Maintenance of the Tanner Creek crossing structure at the easement holders' expense, subject to the property owner's approval.”

“That one.”

“What happened?”

Russell began sending photographs.

Four.

Eight.

Fourteen.

Twenty-one.

Lydia stopped talking.

Finally she asked:

“Is this happening now?”

“Yes.”

“Did they notify you?”

“No.”

“Do they have permission?”

“No.”

“Permit?”

“Not that I know.”

“Have you spoken with the contractor?”

“No.”

“You just photographed them and left?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Russell looked through the window.

The excavator could still be heard.

“The maintenance logs are here.”

“How far back?”

“1987.”

“All of them?”

“Every year.”

“And HOA maintenance?”

“None.”

“Documented?”

“Since 2015, I've specifically noted the lack of contact.”

There was another silence.

Then Lydia said:

“Don't do anything else today.”

“What about the bridge?”

“They've already damaged it.”