Jack didn’t panic. He didn't raise his voice or reach for a rifle. He merely cast a calm, knowing glance toward the open barn doorway.
"You should wait a few more seconds before touching anything," Jack said in a slow, steady drawl.
Chapter II: The Clock on the Phone
Victoria threw her head back, letting out a sharp, mocking cackle that rattled the chicken coops.
"Wait for what, Jack? The local municipal magistrate granted our association an emergency lien for unapproved agricultural runoff!" Victoria sneered, stepping closer and waving the documents in his face. "Your generational exemptions expired yesterday. You have ten minutes to clear your livestock before our bulldozers break ground!"
Deputy Martinez adjusted his duty belt, looking at Jack with a furrowed brow as he held up his terminal timer.
"Mr. Thornfield, do you have documents challenging this order?" the deputy asked.
Jack reached down to his back pocket, pulling out a sealed, official manila legal envelope stamped with a gold embossed seal. He held it casually in his hand, a calm, confident smile spreading across his face.