"Mrs. Vance," the investigator spoke with cold, crushing authority. "Step away from the tractor and drop those papers."
Chapter IV: The State Charter
Deputy Martinez stood at attention as the investigator handed Jack a certified injunction while turning his stern gaze onto Victoria.
"Forty-eight hours ago, the State Attorney General’s Environmental and Land Fraud Division opened an emergency grand jury inquest into the Whispering Valley HOA," the investigator announced. "You forged municipal drainage surveys and bribed a retired county clerk to issue fraudulent seizure warrants against protected state agricultural reserves."
Victoria’s jaw dropped. The blood completely drained from her face, leaving her pale as a ghost beneath her heavy makeup.
"No... no, the board has full eminent domain jurisdiction—" she stammered, backing toward the hay bales.
"Your board charter does not supersede the State Farmland Preservation Act," the investigator countered, signaling two state troopers. "Under State Penal Code Section 422, attempting to execute fraudulent property seizures backed by forged legal instruments is a Class-A felony."