The sheriff entered behind the judge with two deputies.
Pike’s confidence flickered.
Ross held up the deed.
“I have contacted the territorial registrar.”
Pike’s lawyer started again.
Ross raised his voice.
“The original title is valid.”
Josephine’s knees nearly weakened.
Ross continued.
“The transfer filed by Mr. Pike’s company contains a signature inconsistent with authenticated samples and was notarized by a man who was not in the county on the date listed.”
Pike turned toward his lawyer.
The lawyer looked genuinely shocked.
Josephine stared.
Harlan’s expression never changed.
Ross continued.
“The transfer is suspended pending investigation.”
Pike stepped forward.
“This is outrageous.”
The sheriff moved between him and the judge.
Ross looked at Josephine.
“Mrs. Creek.”
She flinched slightly at the name.
Ross noticed.
“Josephine.”
Better.
“The property remains in your mother’s estate until probate is completed. Based on the will we have located, you are sole heir.”
Silas’s head snapped up.
“Sole?”
Ross looked at him.
“Yes.”
Josephine watched her father absorb the fact.
Her mother had cut him out.
Perhaps before she died.
Perhaps because she finally understood what he had done.
Pike suddenly moved toward the table.
Harlan blocked him.
Pike stopped inches from Harlan’s chest.
“Move.”
“No.”
“You have no authority here.”
Harlan smiled without warmth.
“Neither do you.”
The sheriff approached.
“Mr. Pike.”
Pike turned.
The sheriff held out one hand.
“Your weapon.”
The room went silent.
Pike stared.
“On what grounds?”
“Miriam Vale’s carriage.”
Josephine stopped breathing.
The sheriff continued.
“One of your hired men was arrested outside town this morning after trying to leave the territory.”
Pike’s face drained.
“He says you paid him to cut the wheel.”
Pike moved.
Harlan caught his wrist.
Fast.
Not violent.
Immovable.
The sheriff took Pike’s gun.
Pike looked directly at Josephine.
“This does not end here.”
Josephine surprised herself by smiling.
“I hope not.”
He frowned.
“I want to hear every part of it.”
Pike was taken away.
The room slowly emptied.
Silas remained.
Josephine stood near the window.
Her father approached carefully.
“I made mistakes.”
She did not turn.
“Yes.”
“I loved your mother.”
Josephine closed her eyes.
“I believe you.”
That seemed to surprise him.
She turned.
“But love without courage did not save her.”
His face collapsed.
Josephine felt grief.
Not triumph.
She had imagined anger would feel powerful.
Instead it felt exhausting.
Silas looked toward Harlan.
“You can come home.”
Josephine stared.
“What?”
“Once this is settled.”
For the first time, she understood how completely her father still failed to see her.
Home.
The house where her mother was gone.
The rooms where Aunt Lydia measured her meals.
The dining table where men discussed her marriage as though she were furniture.