He promised not to let embarrassment stop him.

In the elevator Nathan checked a message from Sophie wishing him luck and reminding him to eat lunch.

He put the phone away and walked toward the conference room with a calmer sense of purpose.

The land would still be there at the end of the day, whether they reached agreement or not.

His responsibility was to make the next decision carefully.

Chapter 30 — The Mediation Table

The mediation began on a rainy morning in a conference room with no windows facing the runway.

Nathan sat beside Marisol, while Brenda arrived with two attorneys and Trevor’s representative.

Helen and Omar attended as representatives of the newly authorized HOA committee.

The mediator explained that the session was confidential under the applicable rules and that nobody should mistake compromise for admission of every allegation.

Nathan asked for recognition of the recorded ownership, a transparent accounting, and a safe plan for ending unauthorized subscriptions.

The HOA representatives asked for time to relocate existing parking, protect resident access, and avoid massive assessments.

Trevor wanted compensation for improvements and termination costs.

Marisol noted that any claimed improvement value would have to be documented and legally evaluated.

Brenda wanted Nathan to acknowledge the years of maintenance as a community contribution.

Nathan said he could acknowledge the work without surrendering the title.

The mediator separated the groups to test possible arrangements.

By afternoon they had a preliminary framework for phased closure, independent inspection, and a short-term licensed use agreement for limited spaces.

The proposed license would not transfer ownership and would end automatically unless replaced by a lawful agreement.

The parties also discussed a resident claims process for subscriptions sold beyond the permitted term.

Trevor objected to any admission that his advertising was misleading.

The mediator said refunds and corrections could sometimes be negotiated without a sweeping public confession.

Nothing was signed that day.

Nathan went home tired but relieved to have spent hours discussing solutions rather than insults.

Chapter 31 — The Recorder’s Office

A clerk at the county recorder’s office called Marisol after locating an additional historical document in a misindexed ledger.

The filing concerned an access reservation for emergency drainage maintenance, not a general public right to use the entire runway.

It clarified which authority could enter the south corridor and under what conditions.

Marisol sent copies to the engineers and opposing counsel.

Nathan had hoped the record would supply a dramatic final answer, but it offered another narrow piece of the puzzle.