“Too easy,” Ethan said.
Jonah nodded.
“Yes.”
Clara looked at them.
“What are we missing?”
Jonah answered:
“Why he wants key.”
They still did not know what was inside the Boston safe.
Clara tried remembering.
Gideon kept papers there.
Bank drafts.
Land deeds.
Private letters.
He never allowed Clara near study.
Except once.
A night six months before the fire.
She had entered looking for him and seen a map spread across desk.
Western territories.
Rail routes.
Land parcels.
One name at top:
Blackwood Pass.
Clara looked at Ethan.
“I saw your name before.”
He frowned.
“What?”
“In Gideon’s study.”
“Three years ago.”
“Blackwood Pass.”
Ethan sat.
“My family owns that pass.”
“Not just cabin?”
“Two thousand acres.”
“Timber.”
“Creek rights.”
“Access between ridges.”
Jonah swore softly.
Sheriff looked toward Ethan.
“If railway plans exist…”
Ethan finished:
“Pass is worth more than cabin.”
Clara whispered:
“Gideon didn’t follow me because I married Ethan.”
“He followed me because I accidentally married the man whose land he wanted.”
Jonah shook head.
“Too convenient.”
“Maybe not.”
“What?”
Clara looked at matrimonial advertisement in memory.
How had she found it?
Church noticeboard.
Pinned among dozens.
The minister recommended it personally.
“He said advertisement seemed suited to me.”
“Who?”
“Reverend Thomas in Boston.”
“Did you know him?”
“Only after Gideon died.”
Jonah went still.
“Who introduced you?”
Clara’s stomach dropped.
“Arthur Vale.”
Gideon’s business partner.
The room changed.
Ethan said:
“Your marriage wasn't accident.”
Clara felt sick.
Somebody had guided her to Ethan.
Why?
Perhaps Gideon needed access to Blackwood land through a legal spouse.
If Clara married Ethan, and Gideon revealed himself later, he could destroy marriage, blackmail her, claim fraud, perhaps force a settlement.
Or use her as emotional leverage.
Jonah said:
“He positioned you.”
Clara stood.
“No.”
Ethan reached.
She moved away.
“No.”
“I chose this.”
“Clara—”
“I chose you.”
Her voice broke.
“If Gideon arranged advertisement, then even this—”
Ethan stood.
“He may have put paper on wall.”
“He did not make you answer.”
“He did not make me write.”
“He did not make you board wagon.”
“He did not make me open door.”
“He sure as hell did not make me fall in love with you.”
Clara froze.
Ethan froze too.
The words had escaped.
No one moved.
Jonah suddenly found window fascinating.
Sheriff cleared throat.
Clara whispered:
“What did you say?”
Ethan looked almost angry with himself.
Then gave up.
“I love you.”
Clara’s lips parted.
“You don't have to answer.”