Page 55 of In Honor’s Defense

His face lost a bit of animation, but he hid his disappointment behind a mask of professionalism. “Of course. What questions do you have?”

“I’d like to know more about the Harbinger company. Who are they, and why are they interested in our property?”

Mr. Mullins smiled. “Let me assure you that the Harbinger Land Development Company has a stellar reputation. I’ve had the honor of brokering a handful of sales for them here in Madison County over the last year, and I’ve found them to be excellent to work with. They pay their fees promptly and allow plenty of time for the previous owners to find new living situations before asking them to vacate.

“I can’t speak to any particulars regarding their interest in your specific property, but development companies tend to do precisely as their name implies. They develop. They anticipate future needs and purchase land accordingly. It might entail speculating on a mining venture, expanding a town site, bringing in a rail line, or any of a dozen other enterprises.”

He certainly had no qualms about singing the company’s praises. His enthusiasm gave her pause. Could she and Luke be mistaken in their conclusions about Harbinger? Could there be another explanation for her brother’s death?

“Do you know if Harbinger has any agents working in this area? Scouting properties and whatnot? I would feel better if I could speak directly to someone employed with the company.”

Mr. Mullins grew thoughtful. “Hmm. I don’t know of anyone. All of my communication with the company has been through letters and telegrams. I have visited their offices in Austin a few times as well.”

Damaris’s hopes deflated. She’d wanted to uncover a name. Someone she could investigate. If she could place the agent in town at the time of Douglas’s accident, it might be enough to get the sheriff’s attention.

Unfortunately, it seemed that was not to be.

“That’s disappointing.” But she had a mission to accomplish, and while she didn’t remotely resemble Matthew Hanger or any of his mighty Horsemen in physical prowess, temperament, or skill, she intended to mimic their gritty determination in seeing this mission through to its completion.

She straightened her posture and moved on to Phase Two.

“As I’ve mentioned before,” she began, “my nephew has no desire to leave the only home he’s ever known. However, I believe I might have come across a compromise that could satisfy both parties.”

Mr. Mullins leaned back in his chair and opened his arms expansively. “I’m all ears.”

Damaris scooted to the edge of her chair and lifted her chin. “I recently learned that a neighbor of ours, Mr. Oliver Grimes, sold a small section of land to the Harbinger company while the majority of his holdings remained in his possession. I’d like to propose a similar agreement.”

Mr. Mullins began to shake his head, but Damaris dove into her proposition before he could interrupt.

“I’d be willing to sell all of our undeveloped land, keeping only the five or so acres surrounding the house, barn, and garden. That would allow us water from the creek and the well along with access to the road. It would also preserve the grave sites of my brother and sister-in-law.”

The deepening frown on the other side of the desk did little to inspire optimism, yet Damaris soldiered on.

“I realize, of course, that this arrangement would greatly reduce the property’s value. I expect the gentlemen at Harbinger to rescind their original offer and return with a figure substantially lower. However, as you made clear to me at our last meeting, a woman with a child to support must consider her finances. Therefore, I am willing to entertain any reasonable offer within my stated parameters.”

Mr. Mullins leaned forward, a frown tugging his mouth downward. “I’m sorry, Miss Baxter. Your situation is different than that of Mr. Grimes. When Harbinger approved that renegotiation, they made it clear it was a one-time compromise. The other properties they sought would not serve their purposes unless they obtained the full acreage. So I’m afraid my hands are tied. I cannot present your new offer to them.”

A response that fit with Luke’s railroad theory. Still, she’d had to try. For Nathaniel.

“I understand.” Damaris pushed to her feet, grateful that her legs held her up despite their shaking. “Still, I would like you to communicate my offer to them. Perhaps they can see a way to put the land to use in a way that you cannot.”

Mullins stood as good manners demanded, but his frown did not abate. “I sincerely doubt—”

Damaris raised her hand to cut off his protest, shocked at her own boldness. Perhaps Luke’s courage had rubbed off on her more than she’d realized. “Please, Mr. Mullins. Pass along the offer. If you are correct and they refuse, I’ll know where we stand. As will Nathaniel.” She let her mask of strength slip for just a moment, allowing the lawyer to glimpse her true concern. “I need my nephew to see me as an ally, not an enemy in this, Mr. Mullins. To do that, I must make every effort to preserve what he holds dear. Surely you can understand.”

“What I understand is that you are far more accommodating of a child’s feelings than most adults would be in your shoes.” He dipped his head in deference, but a touch of censure rang in his tone.

Damaris raised her chin. “Nathaniel has lost both his mother and his father. It would be a shame for him to lose his home as well.”

Mr. Mullins crossed his arms and peered at her as she imagined he would peer at a judge he was trying to sway in court. “What would truly be a shame is if he lost his chance for a solid future because his guardian was more concerned with preserving his immediate happiness than securing for him the advantages of education, opportunity, and financial prosperity.”

Blowing out a breath, he uncrossed his arms and relaxed his posture. Even the scowl he’d worn softened into a look more in the category of brotherly concern than condescending disapproval.

“I’m not a parent, Miss Baxter, so I cannot begin to understand all the nuances involved in making a decision such as the one before you. Yet I feel compelled to offer some unsolicited advice.”

She nodded. Not because she particularly cared to hear his advice, but because she sensed he was going to share it regardless, and the less resistance he felt from her, the more quickly she’d be able to make her escape.

“Don’t let your desire to earn Nathaniel’s approval supersede your job of doing what is ultimately in his best interest.”