"The operation centers on Selwyn Trask and the Harvest Development Group," she continues. "They've been acquiring land across multiple regions using identical tactics—create artificial scarcity, drive up operational costs, then purchase struggling properties at below-market rates."
Council Member Torres examines the documents, her expression unreadable. "This is concerning. However, commercial disputes often appear suspicious when viewed selectively."
"This isn't selective viewing." I step forward, adding weight to Calla's foundation. "I've tracked similar operations in three other regions. The pattern is identical—target towns with valuable resources, destabilize local economies during peak seasons, then consolidate ownership under development groups."
"The timing is deliberate," Thornak adds, his weathered voice carrying conviction. "Festival season represents sixty percent of annual income for most Harvest Hollow businesses. Collapse the festival, and half the town goes bankrupt within a month."
Council Member Torres sets down the invoices, studying each of us in turn. "These are serious allegations. Can you prove intent rather than coincidence?"
The question hangs in the air like a blade. Jamie shifts nervously beside us.
"We have documented evidence of falsified shipping records, confirmed theft of registered lumber, and testimony from multiple affected businesses," Calla responds carefully. "The coordination across different supply chains suggests?—"
"Suggests. But does not prove." Council Member Torres's tone remains professionally neutral. "I cannot make a habit of intervening simply because my son is involved."
"With respect, Council Member Torres, this investigation didn't begin with family connections or outside pressure." Calla's voice carries quiet authority, each word precisely chosen. "It began with your son noticing inconsistencies in routine supply reports."
Jamie shifts beside me, surprise flickering across his features.
"Jamie identified the pattern before any of us understood its scope," Calla continues, her gaze steady on Council Member Torres. "He could have brought this directly to you weeks ago. Instead, he chose to build the case through proper investigative channels."
"That restraint is exactly what gives this investigation credibility," I add, recognizing where Calla is leading. "Jamie had access to guild authority from the beginning. The fact that he didn't use it until we had documented proof shows integrity, not convenience."
Council Member Torres's expression shifts subtly, professional mask giving way to something more personal as she studies her son.
"Jamie tracked shipping discrepancies across multiple vendors while we were still treating them as isolated incidents," Calla explains. "Without his initial observations, we would never have connected the lumber theft to the supply disruptions. Harvest Hollow would already be collapsing, and we'd still be wondering why."
"I wanted to be sure," Jamie says quietly, finding his voice. "I knew bringing this to you meant guild intervention. I couldn't do that based on suspicion alone."
His mother leans back in her chair, fingers steepled as she processes this reframing. The silence stretches, heavy with calculation.
"You're telling me my son identified a coordinated attack on regional commerce and chose to investigate it properly rather than use family influence to shortcut the process."
"That's exactly what I'm telling you." Calla's tone doesn't waver. "This isn't a favor request. It's a legitimate case of trade law violation that threatens regional economic stability."
Council Member Torres stands abruptly, moving to a wall-mounted map displaying trade routes across the valley. Her finger traces the paths we've been following, connecting dots we've spent weeks uncovering.
"Seize all shipments currently in Selwyn's network," she commands, her voice cutting through the chamber's formality. "Halt trade licenses for the Harvest Development Group and any associated entities. I want recovery teams dispatched to redirect stolen goods to their original destinations."
She turns back to us, authority radiating from every gesture.
"The guild will conduct a formal investigation into systematic trade fraud. Your missing festival supplies will be returned to Harvest Hollow within two days."
The weight that's been pressing against my chest for weeks suddenly lifts. For the first time since arriving in Harvest Hollow, I'm not bracing for the next disaster.
"It's done," I murmur, barely believing it myself.
Calla's shoulders drop slightly, tension bleeding away as the certainty settles. We actually stopped it. No collapse, no damage, no civilians paying the price for our investigation.
"Thank you," Jamie says to his mother, but his posture has changed—straighter, more confident. No longer the uncertain junior reporter scrambling to prove himself.
Outside the Guild Hall, cool evening air carries the rich scent of approaching autumn. Thornak loads our documents back into his wagon, satisfaction written across his weathered features.
"Your land's protected," I tell him.
"Town's protected," he corrects, then glances between Calla and me. "Both of you did good work."
As the others prepare for the journey home, Calla and I find ourselves standing apart from the group, the stone steps of the Guild Hall providing a quiet pocket of space.
