Chapter 43 - The Corporate Negligence
Mateo did not wait for a disaster to strike.
He drove his truck up the winding mountain road, bypassing the NO TRESPASSING signs, until he reached the temporary logging camp of Ironwood Logging.
The site boss, a heavy-set man smoking a cheap cigar, looked at Mateo with open irritation.
"You are violating the county fire code,"
Mateo stated, completely skipping any polite introductions.
"There are tons of dead, dry timber piled up against the valley property line. If a spark catches that brush, it will wipe out three hundred family farms."
"We'll get to the clearing phase next quarter,"
The site boss sneered, waving his hand dismissively.
"I have a schedule to keep, and paying men to sweep twigs doesn't generate revenue."
"It's a federal mandate,"
Mateo warned, his voice dropping to a cold, dangerous register.
"I am the regional agricultural director. I will have the state fire marshal shut this entire operation down by Friday if you don't clear that brush."
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The site boss laughed, turning his back on Mateo.
"Bring the marshal, kid. Our lawyers will tie him up in injunctions until winter."
