Chapter 12
Behind him, Clara made a small, strangled sound.
Gideon Voss regarded her with the satisfaction of a man who had finally recovered something he considered his possession.
Sheriff Harlan entered the barn, followed by Silas Rusk.
“Callaghan,” the sheriff warned, “don’t make this difficult.”
Mason looked from Voss to Clara.
“Is he telling the truth?”
Clara’s face had gone white.
For several seconds, she couldn’t speak.
Then she whispered, “He forced me to marry him.”
Voss sighed.
“Always so dramatic.”
Mason’s jaw tightened.
“Did you hurt her?”
Voss laughed softly.
“My marriage isn’t your concern.”
“It is when you come onto my property threatening someone under my protection.”
Sheriff Harlan unfolded a paper.
“Voss has documentation of the marriage and a sworn complaint alleging his wife was taken from his custody.”
Mason turned sharply.
“Taken? Rusk had her tied up in an auction yard!”
Rusk shrugged.
“She owed an obligation. Voss authorized me to recover her.”
Clara struggled to her feet.
“That’s a lie.”
Voss’s expression hardened.
“Careful.”
She stepped closer to Mason.
“He told me my family’s debts belonged to him. When I refused to stay, he had Rusk take me away. He said he’d make an example of me.”
Mason remembered the rope burns on her wrists.
The way she had barricaded her bedroom door.
The terror whenever someone raised a voice.
He understood now.
But Voss was already reaching toward Clara.
“Come along.”
Mason caught his wrist.
“She said no.”
The sheriff drew his revolver.
“Let him go, Mason.”
Mason released Voss slowly.
Voss adjusted his sleeve.
“You’ve made a serious mistake. I could have you arrested for harboring my wife.”
Clara suddenly spoke.
“Then tell him about the contract.”
Voss stopped.
For the first time, his composure faltered.
“What contract?”
“The one you made me sign before the wedding. The one that said my father’s debt would disappear if I married you.”
Sheriff Harlan frowned.
“Voss?”
Voss smiled tightly.
“My wife is confused. She’s been unwell.”
Clara stepped out from behind Mason.
“No. I remember every word.”
Her hands shook, but she continued.
“You told me my father’s land was worthless. You said the debt would ruin us. Then you brought a minister and gave me one night to decide whether to marry you or watch my father lose everything.”
Mason stared at Voss.
“That’s why she ran?”
Clara nodded.
“When I discovered what he’d done, he locked me inside the house.”