Chapter 13 - The Federal Seal

The insignia belonged to a federal survey office.

Mercer recognized it.

"Someone in Washington."

Elias frowned.

"That doesn't make sense."

"It does if the land records were part of a larger operation."

Nia studied the photograph.

"My father always said the men stealing land weren't the real owners."

"What did he mean?"

"They were collecting land for someone else."

Elias looked at the documents.

The pattern suddenly became obvious.

Small ranches.

Large parcels.

Transfers.

Consolidation.

Someone was assembling territory.

Not for ranching.

For development.

Railroads.

Mining.

Military routes.

The possibilities were enormous.

Mercer pointed to a deed.

"Look at this."

The same federal seal appeared.

Beneath it was a private corporation.

Western Frontier Development Company.

Elias recognized the name.

"They tried to buy my ranch last year."

Mercer nodded.

"And before that?"

"Nothing."

"Exactly."

The company had been dormant for decades.

Now it was buying land aggressively.

Nia said:

"They've been waiting."

"For what?"

"For the evidence to disappear."

A rider approached the church.

Mercer looked outside.

"That's not Vane."

Elias watched.

A federal marshal dismounted.

He knocked.

"My name is Deputy Marshal Thomas Reed."

Elias opened the door slightly.

"What do you want?"

"I've been looking for Caleb Mercer."

Mercer stepped forward.

"I'm here."

The marshal stared.

"You're supposed to be dead."

Mercer smiled faintly.

"People have been saying that for twenty-five years."

Reed's expression hardened.

"I have a warrant for your arrest."

Nia stepped forward.

"For what?"

"Forgery."

Mercer laughed.

"Of course."

Reed looked at Elias.

"You too."

Elias frowned.

"Me?"

"Assisting a fugitive."

Elias realized immediately.

The conspiracy was no longer about land.

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It was about controlling the law.

And someone had just weaponized the courthouse against them.