Chapter 55
“No, Brooks. You understood cattle. Weather. Fence posts. Pride.” Silas gave a thin smile. “Numbers were always beyond you.”
Henrietta set the old foreclosure notice on top of the copies.
Silas stopped smiling.
“This is dated eleven days before our wedding,” she said. “Eleven days before the five thousand dollars entered Calvin’s account.”
The deputy picked it up.
Silas said quickly, “A draft notice.”
“A foreclosure date had already been assigned,” Henrietta replied. “You intended to seize Broken Spur whether he cured the missing amount or not.”
“Intended? That is not evidence.”
Dr. Mercer crossed to the table and placed Calvin’s father’s letter beside the notice. “This is.”
Silas’s face changed again.
Mercer’s voice was quieter than the others, which made everyone listen. “His father told me you tried to buy Broken Spur after the first territorial rail survey passed through this county. He refused. You came again after he died.”
“That letter proves an old man disliked me.”
“It gives motive,” Henrietta said. “The land description gives value. The altered statements give method. The premature foreclosure notice gives intent.”
The deputy looked at Silas.
“And the fire?”
Silas’s shoulders lifted. “A chimney spark.”
“The office chimney was cold,” Calvin said.
Silas did not look at him.
Calvin’s voice lowered. “No stove had been lit in there today.”
The deputy folded the foreclosure notice.
Silas laughed once. “You think this stops tomorrow? The auction order is signed.”
“It stops,” the deputy said.
Silas turned on him. “On what authority?”
“Mine until the territorial judge sees these records.”
“You are making a serious mistake.”
“No.” The deputy looked toward the burning office through the window, then back at Silas. “I believe you made several.”
Silas took one step toward Henrietta.
The deputy seized his arm.
Silas stopped struggling, but his eyes remained on her. “Do you know what happens when that rail line comes? Men with more money than your father will tear this valley apart for right-of-way and water.”
Henrietta met his gaze. “Then they may negotiate honestly.”
“With Brooks?”
“With us.”
Silas gave a short, contemptuous breath. “You still think you belong here.”
Calvin moved before Mercer could stop him.
He did not rise. He simply reached for the heavy water glass on the bedside table and threw it.
The glass struck the wall beside Silas’s head and shattered.
Everyone went still.
Calvin lay back against the pillows, breathing hard. “The next object will be less polite.”