Chapter 14 - The Arrest
Reed allowed them one hour.
They used it to examine the documents.
Mercer believed the warrant was genuine.
But the charges were manufactured.
"They need us separated," he said.
"Why?"
"Because together we know too much."
Elias looked at Nia.
"What happens if we surrender?"
"We lose the evidence."
Nia shook her head.
"Then we don't surrender."
Mercer smiled.
"You sound like your father."
Nia replied:
"I learned from him."
They left through the church cellar.
The tunnel emerged near a dry creek.
They rode west.
By sunrise, they reached an old trading post.
There they found a telegraph operator.
Elias sent copies of the evidence to three newspapers.
If they were arrested, the story would become public.
Mercer nodded.
"Good."
Nia looked at Elias.
"You trust newspapers?"
"I trust fear."
"What?"
"If powerful men know their crimes will become public, they have something to lose."
Mercer smiled.
"Your father would have approved."
Then a telegraph arrived.
The first newspaper had refused.
The second demanded proof.
The third sent one sentence:
SEND ORIGINALS.
Elias looked at Mercer.
"We can't."
Mercer nodded.
"Then we need someone we can trust."
Nia looked toward the east.
"I know someone."
"Who?"
"My father's old friend."
"Where?"
"Fort Apache."
Elias hesitated.
That was dangerous territory.
But the evidence needed protection.
He nodded.
"Then we ride."
As they prepared to leave, Elias noticed a figure watching from across the street.
A woman.
She turned away quickly.
Nia saw her too.
"Do you know her?"
Elias shook his head.
"No."
The woman disappeared into an alley.
But on the ground where she had stood lay a small envelope.
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Inside was a single sentence:
Your father didn't die because of the land. He died because of what he knew about Elias's mother.
