Directly.
Ellis sat on the ground.
“This changes things.”
“You said physical evidence wasn't enough.”
“This is different.”
“How?”
“Because somebody established the survey on the land itself.”
Eli looked across the valley.
The spring channel shimmered between fields in the distance.
For nearly fifty years, people had driven past that stone without knowing what rested beneath it.
Sunday morning, Calvin Rusk arrived.
Eli saw the black pickup through the farmhouse window.
Calvin climbed out alone.
No lawyer.
No employee.
He wore pressed work pants and a clean white shirt.
Ellis met him on the porch.
Eli remained near the door.
Calvin smiled.
“I hear you boys found something interesting.”
Ellis said nothing.
“Word travels.”
“It always does.”
Calvin looked toward Eli.
“Forty-dollar safe?”
Eli nodded.
“Congratulations.”
The word sounded pleasant.
His eyes did not.
Calvin continued.
“I understand there are some old surveys.”
“Maybe.”
“I'd like to see them.”
“No.”