The judge’s face darkened.

He looked at the empty tables where Trevor, Kelsey, and their attorney had been sitting moments ago.

“Their counsel did not mention any planned excavation,” Judge Whitaker said.

He tapped a black pen against the wooden bench.

“I will not tolerate self-help measures while this court is reviewing the title,” he said.

He looked at his clerk, then back at us.

“I am staying all actions regarding the property immediately,” the judge announced. “No one touches that land.”

“And the final ruling on the deed, Your Honor?” Arthur asked.

“I am delaying my final ruling,” Judge Whitaker said. “I want a full investigation into this conflict of interest and who authorized that machinery.”

He picked up his gavel and tapped it once.

“We are in recess until next Thursday,” he said.

He turned and disappeared through the door behind his bench.

I breathed out, my shoulders dropping slightly, but the knot in my stomach remained.

“That buys us time,” Arthur said, snapping his briefcase shut. “But you need to get up there and make sure they stop.”

“I’m going now,” I said.