“Or perhaps you'd rather explain why three men attacked a passenger coach and chased me through the mountains?”
Now more workers were watching.
Shaw looked nervous.
“Gideon.”
Pike ignored him.
Amily took another breath.
“My mother left records. My family has evidence. And there are people in Silverpine who already know what happened.”
Pike stepped closer.
“Shut your mouth.”
She raised her voice.
“Then stop pointing that gun at us!”
The nearest workman froze.
Another hurried toward the supervisor.
Harlon watched Pike carefully.
The gunman's confidence was fading.
He had expected frightened people who would surrender the case quietly.
He hadn't expected an audience.
Then a heavy voice sounded from the farmhouse.
“What's going on here?”
The Blackstone demolition supervisor approached.
He looked toward Pike's revolver.
Then toward Harlon and Amily.
His face hardened.
“Put that weapon away.”
Pike snarled.
“This is company business.”
The supervisor stared.
“Not with a firearm in front of my crew.”
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Harlon spoke.
“This lady has a claim involving this house. Your company has been notified that the records are disputed.”
The supervisor frowned.
“I've received no such notice.”
Harlon looked toward Amily.
She stepped forward.
“My name is Amily Ward.”
The man's expression changed.
She continued.
“My mother's family lived here. We're preserving documents concerning the property. I want the demolition stopped until the appropriate authorities review the claim.”
The supervisor looked toward Pike.
Then back at her.
For a moment, he seemed uncertain what to do.
Finally, he said, “I'm not a lawyer, miss.”
Amily nodded.
“Neither am I.”
She looked toward the workers.
“But if this house comes down after you've been told it contains disputed property records, I imagine somebody will have questions.”
The supervisor's jaw tightened.
He glanced toward the tools.
Then toward the company wagons.
Finally, he turned to his men.
“Stop work.”
Pike spun toward him.
“You can't do that!”
The supervisor looked directly into his eyes.
“Watch me.”
Then he shouted toward the crew.
“Set the tools down! Nobody touches another board until I speak with the office!”
Amily felt relief surge through her.
Pike looked furious.
He turned toward Harlon.
“This isn't finished.”
Harlon met his gaze.
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
“It isn't.”
Pike lowered the revolver.
Not because he had become reasonable.