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“I’d like to talk to you about the treaty and the things that have been going on in Glen Hollow.”
“What do you know about any of it?”
“I’ve read the treaty and my truck is now sporting two nice bullet holes thanks to one of your men.”
“And you want me to stop sending my men down the mountain and making the townspeople pay for the injustice they have just handed us?”
“What injustice?”
“The tax deferment has been ongoing for sixty years. At the time, my father was assured it would stand forever as long as we stayed up here and didn’t cause trouble.”
“It appears you didn’t stay up here.”
“We did until the trade stopped.”
“So, the trade stopped and that’s what prompted all of this?”
He didn’t move. He stood on his porch passing judgment. At least that’s what it felt like.
Aidyn spoke for the first time. “Some of the businesses are still trading with you.”
“Not enough of them. And that’s because of the mayor.”
Tate inhaled. “The free enterprise system works this way: you have something of value to offer, someone will pay for it. If you don’t, they won’t. Since you’re now stealing products to manufacture your elixir, they don’t feel as though they should have to pay for it, since they supplied some of the product. You have a lopsided system here and the townspeople are tired of it.”
“What do you know of any of it?”
“I just told you, I’ve been down there. I’ve spoken to the townspeople, and I know their complaints.”
“You know only of Lara’s complaints.”
Shock was a light word for Lara’s name coming out of Everett’s mouth. Also, the realization that Everett knew he had spoken to Lara told him they were watching very closely. He stood stock-still though and didn’t let on that any of this bothered him.
“I know of many business owners’ complaints.”
Everett shrugged. “I don’t care. Once in a while our youngsters misbehave. It’s no different than the townie boys doing the same up here. They sneak up the mountain and try sampling our elixir without paying. They hunt on our lands. They’ve also tried sampling our women from time to time. Why don’t you ask Keaton about that?”
Tate stared into his blue eyes. Creases around his light blue eyes told the story of hardship, years in the sun, and toil. Even though their population up here didn’t match the population below, it was nevertheless difficult keeping a group of people in line. To follow whatever laws they used up here. Clearly, they didn’t care for the fraternizing between the BRR and townspeople.
Tate nodded slightly. “I’d like to go back down with an agreement. Even a small one to begin with.”
“What agreement do you have in mind?”
“Tell your people to stop coming down the hill and robbing and damaging businesses. They’ve done quite a bit of damage the past month. It needs to stop.”
“And what will you do for us?”
“If I have your agreement, I’ll talk to the mayor about letting the deferment go through.”
“I want the deferment to be a forever event. I shouldn’t have to pay taxes on land that I own rightfully. I’m not using your services, for which the taxes are paid. We don’t use your police and fire services. We don’t use your schools. We shouldn’t have to pay taxes. Ever.”
“I can’t guarantee that Everett. I’ll pass it along and see if I can. But, in the meantime, please keep your men up here as an act of good faith.”
Everett glared at him. He then glared at Aidyn. It felt like an eternity, but he wasn’t going to break the eye contact or flinch.
“You tell that mayor to defer our taxes forever. If you can get that done, we’ll leave the townsfolk alone.”
“That includes Fort Abraham?”
