Chapter 9 - The Price of Silence

Gideon finally told the truth because he had run out of profitable lies.

They sat inside the abandoned Torne house while morning light cut through broken shutters.

Twenty years earlier, Gideon had moved the Dry Creek trust into Vane's bank because he believed the interest could restore the money faster.

For several years it worked.

Then Silas Vane inherited the bank and began using trust assets as collateral for railway investments.

Gideon discovered it.

Instead of reporting him, he joined him.

"Why?" Corvin demanded.

"Because by then half our ranches were mortgaged through his bank."

"So he owned you."

"No. We owned each other."

Mara said, "That is how corrupt men describe friendship."

Gideon almost smiled.

"You would have liked Helena."

"I already do."

The answer silenced him.

Jonah examined the investment ledgers.

"These transfers are crimes."

"In a territory where the judge plays cards with the banker."

"Bell?"

Gideon nodded.

"Bell knows."

"Rourke?"

"Enough."

"Voss?"

"Hired muscle."

Corvin stared at his uncle.

"And you?"

Gideon did not evade it.

"Guilty."

The word came quietly.

Corvin had imagined hearing it for years without knowing what crime he wanted confessed.

Now it brought no satisfaction.

"Why forge our signatures?"

Gideon shook his head.

"I didn't."

"Vane?"

"I suspect so. He needs Torne ownership merged with Red Mesa Holdings before railway inspectors arrive next month."

Jonah looked up.

"Why next month?"

"Because federal investors are funding the northern extension. Their attorneys will examine title."

Corvin understood.

The forged transfer would create a clean chain of ownership before outsiders examined the land.

Mara asked, "And the covenant?"

"If valid, it breaks the chain."

Corvin looked at Helena's original.

"So we take it to federal authorities."

Gideon laughed.

"With what stagecoach? Vane owns the freight line. Rourke watches the roads. The nearest federal marshal is two days away."

Jonah stood.

"Telegraph."

"Vane's office controls it."

"Not the railway construction camp."

Gideon stared at him.

Jonah continued.

"There's a temporary telegraph station sixty miles north."

Corvin looked at Mara.

"We could get there tonight."

Gideon shook his head.

"Vane expects that."

"How do you know?"

"Because he asked me where Helena would hide evidence."

Corvin's face hardened.

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because yesterday I still thought this could be contained. Today Vane forged your name, Jonah's name, and tried to seize the box. He no longer needs partners."

Jonah studied his uncle.

"He'll sacrifice you."

"Eventually."

"Then testify."

Gideon laughed.

"To Bell?"

"No. To a federal marshal."

Gideon looked toward the ruined room.

"For twenty years I have convinced myself I was preventing chaos."

Corvin said, "You were protecting money."

"Mostly."

It was the first honest answer Corvin had ever heard from him.

Mara's elder entered carrying a message from the ranch.

Rourke had posted notices in Carrick.

Corvin was accused of harboring armed raiders and obstructing a lawful land survey.

A warrant had been issued.

Jonah read the message twice.

"For Corvin?"

"And Mara," she said.

"For what?"

"Attempted murder of a deputy."

Corvin stared.

"Nobody shot a deputy."

Mara's face hardened.

"Perhaps someone has now."

They rode toward the ranch.

Halfway there, they found a body.

Deputy Ellis lay beside the road.

Dead.

Shot once in the chest.

Corvin dismounted.

Jonah crouched beside him.

A rifle lay nearby.

Corvin recognized it instantly.

His Winchester.

The one he had left on the porch the morning the riders arrived.

Someone had taken it during the search.

Jonah whispered, "Don't touch it."

Hoofbeats approached from the south.

Rourke.

Six deputies.

They stopped when they saw Corvin standing over Ellis.

Rourke's expression contained no surprise.

Only satisfaction.

"Corvin Torne," he called, "step away from the body."

Corvin looked at Jonah.

This was staged.

Everything about it.

Rourke dismounted.

"You are under arrest for the murder of Deputy Thomas Ellis."

Mara's riders appeared on the ridge behind Corvin.

Rourke's deputies raised rifles.

Corvin slowly lifted his hands.

Mara whispered, "Do not go with him."

"If I run, I'm guilty."

"If you go, you may die."

Corvin looked toward Sheriff Rourke.

Then at his own rifle beside a dead man.

He understood the choice perfectly.

Vane no longer needed to buy the ranch.

He only needed Corvin unable to defend it.

Corvin removed his revolver.

He placed it on the ground.

"Tell your people not to shoot."

Mara stared at him.

"Corvin—"

"Monday was supposed to be a hearing."

He looked at Rourke.

"Let's make sure I live long enough to attend."

Rourke smiled.

May you like

92 The Girl They Called Broke Was a Billionaire’s Daughter—But Her Fathe...

91 A Cruel Hotel Manager Fired a Receptionist for Defending a Poor Old G...

90 On Christmas Eve, My Daughter-in-Law Stole $12,000 From My Card—Then...

That smile made Corvin realize Mara had been right.

The sheriff had no intention of letting Monday arrive.