The first entries were ordinary financial transactions. The later pages recorded payments to Dr. Lang, transfers to a Helena merchant, and a series of loans made to Thomas.
One entry, dated shortly before Joseph's death, was marked with a red line.
Eastern parcel — option extended.
Samuel looked up.
“What is this?”
Harris leaned forward.
“After your father died, Edward attempted to exercise an option to purchase part of the ranch. He claimed Joseph had agreed to the arrangement before his death.”
Samuel's stomach tightened.
“Did he?”
“I don't know. But the signature on the option did not look like Joseph's.”
Samuel examined the entry.
The land described in the ledger included the eastern meadow, the creek crossing, and the lower pasture.
It was the most valuable part of the ranch.
It was also the land Samuel had intended to build a house on for Eleanor, fourteen years earlier.
A sudden, terrible thought entered his mind.
“What happened to the option?”
“It was challenged. Edward's lawyer withdrew the claim after your father’s estate was settled.”
“Why?”
“Because the original document disappeared.”
Samuel stared at him.
The lie about his fertility might not have been intended merely to change the inheritance.
It might have been part of a much larger scheme to gain control of the land.
If Samuel had been considered incapable of continuing the family line, Edward could have argued that the ranch should be sold or divided.
Thomas, burdened by debt and afraid of losing his place, had been an easy instrument.
And Dr. Lang had been a vulnerable man who could be bought.
Samuel rose.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Harris looked up at him.
“You don't have to thank me.”
“No,” Samuel said. “I don't.”
He put the ledger into his coat.
“But I won't pretend you did the right thing.”
Harris bowed his head.
“I wouldn't ask you to.”
Samuel left the office and stepped into the cold morning.
The town looked much as it always had. Men stood outside the general store discussing cattle prices. A woman crossed the street carrying a basket of laundry. The church bell rang once, marking the hour.
Nothing in the town appeared different.
Yet Samuel felt as though he had stepped into a world whose foundations had shifted beneath his feet.
He had come looking for the truth about a medical report.
He had found a conspiracy involving his brother, his uncle, a physician, and possibly the ranch itself.
And somewhere at home, Anna was waiting for him with a child growing inside her.
Samuel mounted his horse.
He needed to get back.
But before he left town, he had one more stop to make.