“Folks talk. Especially those in the military. We honestly weren’t sure you were even real. But we prayed. See, we both run large farms. Farms that our families have been on for over a hundred years.”
“That’s impressive,” said Gator. “Thank you for what you do.”
“Just that statement alone tells me you’re the right folks for the job,” said Pat. “See, there’s been this developer snooping around for the last year. He started out just looking, asking questions about folks who might want to sell. Of the eight major farms in our area, only one sold. They were near bankruptcy anyway. Got pennies on the dollar for their land.”
“I hate to hear that,” frowned Gator.
“You have no idea. This man, Theo Grant and a woman, June Morgan, are harassing everyone about their land. We think he might be working with the Mayor as well. They want all the farms. All seven that are left. More than ten thousand acres of land.”
“Are they offering a fair price?” asked Gator.
“The prices are fair but the land isn’t for sale. The longer we say no, the lower the prices go and the more things start to happen on the property or to one of us,” said Pat.
“What things?” asked Ham folding his arms across his chest.
“One of our neighbors has lost eleven cows in the last week. Eleven. One might be explained. Not eleven. No one wants to do any tests to see if it was poison or something else.
“Another neighbor’s entire corn crop was suddenly flattened, dead, everything gone. No one seems to be able to explain it. He’s devastated. Wife left him, took the kids, all of it. Farming is a tough life and when someone intentionally makes it tougher, it feels overwhelming to you.”
“Damn,” frowned Patrick.
“We can’t leave our land, sir. It’s all we have. It’s all that matters to us. My great-grandfather bought this land when no one else wanted it. He worked himself to death just to plant a few acres of crops. My grandfather followed, then my father. Each one making it bigger, better, and more profitable.
“The last few years have been rough. Strange weather anomalies. Heat. Early freezes. Tornadoes. Hail, you name it. We’re all operating on a shoestring and praying that this year will happen without major incident,” said Ernie.
“I’m not sure you’ve answered our question yet. What is it that you need us to do?” asked Gator.
“We need you to find out if this developer is causing the damage to the crops and animals. If so, we have legal recourse. It would be us against the big guys but we would be willing to fight if we knew that they were causing all this grief.”
“And if they aren’t?”
“Well, sir. If they aren’t, then we can’t blame this on him, we’re all done for.”
CHAPTER THREE
“What do y’all think?” asked Patrick staring at his teammates.
“I think none of us knows shit about crops or livestock,” said Ham. “But I also know that those people need help and I don’t like the sound of what’s happening. We know what it’s like to work the land, to make something of nothing. These people are the very core, the very foundation of making something from nothing.”
“I feel the same,” nodded Gator. “It feels as though something is definitely happening up there and they are not equipped to deal with it.”
“Hey guys,” said Hiro, “just confirming that both men did serve four years in the Army, both honorably discharged. Earned degrees in agriculture and animal husbandry. They’re legit.”
“What about the two they mentioned? Grant and Morgan?” asked Ham.
“They’re with a company called Heartland Development. I don’t have much else right now, but I will.”
“Find it for us. All of it. In the meantime, if nothing else we can provide cameras, security, and an extra pair of hands, or ten, to help them get through the spring and into the summer,” said Patrick.
“I agree with that,” said Ham.
“I suggest we send Sniff and Lucy to take a look at the animals. They may be able to tell us what actually happened to them. Send Chief with Rachel. She’s not a farmer but she knows the earth better than almost anyone I know,” said Gator.
“I would send Trevon as well. Security and a damn healthy knowledge of the land will go a long way for them.” They stopped, hearing a soft knock on the door.
“Hey guys, sorry to bother you,” said Sadie, “but our guests are tired and want to drive back tonight. I don’t think it’s safe but they’re anxious to return.”
“Bring them back, honey,” said Ham.
