Chapter 20 - The Mountain Siege

Vane's men surrounded the cabin.

Elias barricaded the doors.

Mateo remained calm.

"He wants the ledger."

Elias nodded.

"Then he won't get it."

Nia looked at her father.

"Can you travel?"

Mateo smiled.

"I have been traveling for twenty-five years."

The siege lasted until dawn.

But instead of attacking, Vane called from outside.

"Carter!"

Elias answered.

"What?"

"I know you're listening."

Vane continued.

"Give me the ledger, and your friends live."

Mateo whispered:

"He's bluffing."

Elias looked at him.

"How do you know?"

"Because he would have attacked already."

Vane shouted:

"You have until sunrise."

Elias understood.

They needed another plan.

Nia pointed toward the rear of the cabin.

"There is a ravine."

They escaped through a narrow passage.

Tomas remained behind to mislead the riders.

Elias, Nia, Mateo, and Mercer descended into the valley.

At sunrise, they reached an abandoned mission.

There, Mercer revealed his final secret.

He had contacted a federal investigator in Washington.

The investigator was coming west.

But there was a problem.

"Whitcomb knows."

Elias frowned.

"How?"

"Because the investigator's telegram was intercepted."

Nia looked at the road.

"Then we cannot wait."

Mateo handed Elias the final witness list.

"Take this to the newspapers."

Elias nodded.

"Together."

Mateo shook his head.

"No."

He looked at his daughter.

"You have something more important to do."

Nia frowned.

"What?"

"Live."

Before she could answer, a shot rang out.

Mateo collapsed.

Nia screamed.

Elias looked toward the ridge.

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Vane stood there.

And beside him was Colonel Andrew Whitcomb.