"Mr. Morrison," she announced with theatrical smugness, "your threats hold no power here. This community will not bow to your intimidation tactics."
Walking out of that meeting, the crunch of gravel under my boots sounded like a countdown timer. Linda had been given every opportunity to end this reasonably. She chose escalation over common sense.
The next morning brought news that confirmed Linda's desperation had reached new heights. Tom Rodriguez called me before dawn, his voice tight with worry.
"Jake, you need to know: Linda offered me $10,000 cash to sabotage the dam controls. Said it would look like equipment failure and you'd get blamed for any damage."
$10,000. Linda was so terrified of losing control that she'd moved from harassment to attempted bribery to outright sabotage.
"What did you tell her, Tom?"
"Told her I'd think about it. Then I called the sheriff. They're opening an investigation, but wanted me to let you know she's getting dangerous."
That afternoon, I got a visit from Deputy Martinez. Linda had filed a new complaint claiming I'd made specific terrorist threats against the dam and resort. The deputy was professional, but clearly skeptical.
"Mr. Morrison, I got to ask: have you made any statements about damaging the resort or threatening public safety?"
I handed him copies of all my legal documentation and Patricia's contact information. "Deputy, everything I plan to do is completely legal under state water rights law. If Mrs. Prescott considers legal dam operations to be terrorism, that says more about her understanding of the law than my intentions."
After he left, I called Patricia with an update. Her response was swift and decisive. "Jake, attempted bribery and false police reports cross a line. We're filing federal charges under water rights interference statutes. But more importantly, you need to move fast. If Linda's this desperate, she might try something that actually is illegal."
That evening, I sat on my dock, watching the sun set and tasting the metallic edge of adrenaline. Linda had rejected negotiation, attempted bribery, and filed false police reports. She'd made her choice.
Monday morning, I'd make mine.