Eleanor's heart tightened.
Owen continued.
“He seemed frightened when he said it.”
She looked toward Caleb.
He had finished securing the broken window and was putting away his tools.
His expression changed.
He approached.
“What exactly did Vane say?”
Owen hesitated.
Then looked between them.
“He said there was a boy who died at the Silver Elk crossing years ago.”
Caleb went still.
The young man swallowed.
“And he said somebody had seen that same boy in town today.”
Eleanor stared.
“Who?”
Owen shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Caleb looked toward the floor.
Then asked quietly, “What else?”
Owen took a breath.
“He said Solomon Whitmore wanted to know whether the man had a scar.”
For several seconds, the cabin was silent.
Then the boy added something that changed everything.
“And he said if Mercer was alive, there might be another witness.”
Eleanor leaned forward.
“Another witness?”
Owen nodded.
Caleb frowned.
“Who?”
The young man looked frightened.
“I don't know his name.”
“Tell us what you heard.”
Owen swallowed.
“Mr. Vane said an old mining clerk was supposed to be dead too. But somebody saw him near Denver last month.”
Caleb stared.
For a moment, he looked almost unable to breathe.
Then whispered, “Samuel Harrow.”
Eleanor turned.
“Who is that?”
Caleb looked toward the old document case.
“Samuel worked with my father.”
He swallowed.
“He was the only other man who saw the original claim books before Whitmore changed them.”
Eleanor's heart began racing.
“Your father thought he died?”
Caleb nodded.
“In a warehouse fire.”
Owen looked toward them.
Then whispered, “Vane said Solomon's afraid the two dead men might start talking.”
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Eleanor looked toward Caleb.
The mystery was no longer confined to documents buried in a cedar chest.
A living witness might exist.
Someone who remembered what happened at Blackwater Pass.
Someone who could connect Solomon Whitmore to the altered survey records.
And someone whose testimony might help restore her family's property.
But if Solomon knew Samuel Harrow was alive, the old man could already be in danger.
Eleanor took a breath.
“Caleb.”
He looked toward her.
“Yes?”
“We have to find him.”
Caleb stared.
For a moment, he seemed torn between fear and hope.
Then his eyes moved toward the silver pendant resting beneath his shirt.
He closed his hand around it.
And nodded.
“Yes.”