“Talk to him tonight,” Rachel said.

“But do not sign anything he gives you, and do not make any deals without me looking at them first.”

“I just want to show him the numbers,” I said.

“Just remember,” Rachel said, leaning forward.

“The law does not protect people who sit on their rights.”

“I understand,” I said.

“Call me as soon as Carl delivers the certified survey,” Rachel said, her silver pen hovering over her pad.

Tyler’s silver SUV was idling in his gravel driveway when I walked over, the headlights throwing long yellow beams across the lawn.