The sight is more satisfying than my morning coffee, which is saying something.
But Viv's not going quietly.
By afternoon, the local news is running her crisis-management playbook.
Interviews from concerned residents, talking about government overreach and vindictive neighbors.
The story she's pushing is that I'm some kind of dangerous loner who manipulated federal agencies into harassing innocent community leaders.
The irony is thick enough to choke on, but her media strategy has one fatal flaw.
She doesn't know about the trail-camera footage we haven't released yet.
That evening, Jake calls with an update that makes my day complete.
"Deck, remember those three people who tried to burn down your cabin? Well, one of them just got arrested trying to board a flight to Mexico with $50,000 in cash and a fake passport."
"Let me guess. He's talking like a parrot with a law degree."
"Turns out Viv hired them through her cousin's security company in Dallas. Same crew that's been doing intimidation work for her other fraud operations across the Southwest."
The pieces keep falling into place like dominoes in an earthquake.
"Gets better," Jake continues. "Guy's testimony puts Viv at the center of a conspiracy that includes arson for hire, witness intimidation, bribery of public officials, and what the feds are calling domestic terrorism for using government agencies as weapons against private citizens."
That night, I'm reading by LED lantern, still no power, but now it's by choice rather than harassment, when Sheriff Martinez pulls into my driveway with his lights off.
"Deck," he says quietly. "Thought you should know. Federal marshals are setting up a security perimeter around the valley tonight. Agent Reeves thinks Viv might try something desperate before they can arrest her associates."
"Desperate? How?"
"The kind of desperate that makes people do stupid things with explosives."
He hands me a radio and a federal contact card.
"Direct line to FBI tactical command. If you see anything unusual, call immediately."
As his patrol car disappears into the darkness, I realize that what started as a property dispute has become something much more dangerous.
When people are facing life sentences, they sometimes decide they have nothing left to lose.
The mountain air tastes different tonight, charged with tension and the metallic scent of an approaching storm.
My trail cameras have night vision.
My grandfather's rifle is loaded.
And somewhere in the valley below, federal agents are watching over a community that's about to learn how deep corruption can run in small places.
But there's something else in the air tonight.
The smell of justice finally catching up to people who thought they were too smart to get caught.
I settle into my porch chair with the radio close at hand and my rifle across my knees.
If Viv wants to add federal assault charges to her growing collection of felonies, she's welcome to try.
The grizzly bear is awake, and he's done being hunted.
Around midnight, my trail cameras detect movement on the access road.
Three vehicles with their lights off, moving slowly toward the valley like they're planning something that requires darkness.
Time to call in the cavalry.
I key the radio and whisper, "FBI command, this is Forester.
"I've got three vehicles approaching the valley with lights off, moving tactical. You might want to take a look."