Wayne hesitated when asked about the concrete truck, claiming it was borrowed. Deputy Earl inspected the vehicle and noticed the Hollis Development Group logo. He took a folded contract from Wayne and read it aloud, revealing that Floyd Bramlett was selling the property to Hollis Development Group, with closing scheduled for Friday. The second page exposed a shocking detail: Wayne had already received a $40,000 payment.

Confronted with the evidence, Wayne admitted that his contracting business had failed and left him heavily indebted. Hollis Development Group had offered him $40,000 in exchange for obtaining his father’s signature before Friday. If he failed, he would have to repay the money. The company’s manager had encouraged him to intimidate his father, believing that fear would make an elderly man surrender his land more quickly.

The deputies charged Wayne with unlawful restraint and attempted coercion. The porch camera recording supported the allegations, particularly Wayne’s threat that his father would eventually run out of food. The concrete truck was towed away that morning, and the county launched an investigation into Hollis Development Group. Within a month, the company withdrew from its pending land deals throughout the county and dismissed the manager involved.

Ruth traveled from Arizona the following day and stayed for two weeks to help. Together, they placed the land under a conservation easement in her mother’s name, protecting it from future development. Deputy Earl later visited with a casserole prepared by his wife. The narrator was relieved that the oak tree, garden, and rope swing he and Loretta had cherished would remain untouched.

Wayne eventually accepted a plea deal involving probation and counseling. Eight months later, he called his father and asked to visit. The narrator agreed on one condition: Wayne had to park at the bottom of the hill and walk to the house. Wayne honored the request and apologized before reaching the porch, demonstrating that he was willing to approach his father without intimidation.

That afternoon, father and son replanted Loretta’s garden together. Wayne’s children began visiting every summer, enjoying the old rope swing and the peaceful property their grandfather had fought to protect. Although the family relationship began healing, the narrator remained cautious. He returned the satellite phone to the closet, keeping it available just in case trouble ever threatened his home again.