Finch read the notice twice. Didn't say anything the first time through. The second time, he set it down carefully like it might explode. "This is serious. If Clearwater terminates your water service, your property values crater overnight. No water means no certificates of occupancy for Phase 2. You can't sell homes that can't legally be inhabited."
Veronica leaned forward. "Can we sue them?"
Finch almost laughed. "For what? Enforcing their contract? You're in clear violation on multiple counts. We're not victims here. We're defendants waiting for the lawsuit."
She tried another angle: "Find out who owns Clearwater. Maybe we can negotiate directly."
Finch nodded, started making calls. By end of business, he'd hit a brick wall. "It's registered to Emmett Holdings LLC. Private company. No public ownership records. I can't find the principals."
Veronica's voice went tight. "Then we pay the fines and move on."
Finch shook his head. "It's sixty-five grand just for the hydrants and overage. The wells are criminal charges. The state's involved now. This isn't a checkbook problem anymore."
Back at the ranch, Darnell called to update me. "They're panicking. Finch has been calling every contact he has trying to find out who owns us."
I smiled, told Darnell if they ask directly, give them the holding company name: "Emmett Holdings LLC, nothing more."
He chuckled. "You want them scared."
I said, "I want them aware that actions have consequences."