“He stood beside my brother's coffin and told my mother nobody could have predicted the slide!”
Amily felt tears rising.
Harlon turned toward her.
His face was filled with pain.
“He stood in our house, Amily.”
She reached for him.
But he stepped away.
For a moment, he seemed unable to control his breathing.
Then he slammed one fist against the wall.
The sound echoed through the empty kitchen.
Amily flinched.
Harlon stopped immediately.
He looked toward her.
His anger collapsed into shame.
“I'm sorry.”
She remained still.
He lowered his hand.
“I didn't mean to frighten you.”
Amily studied his face.
Then stepped closer.
“I know.”
He looked away.
She reached toward the report.
“Let me hold that.”
For several seconds, he hesitated.
Then he handed it to her.
Amily placed it carefully inside the case.
Harlon stood near the window, his shoulders trembling.
She approached slowly.
“Look at me.”
He shook his head.
“Harlon.”
Finally, he turned.
His gray eyes were wet.
She took his hand.
“You have every right to be angry.”
He swallowed.
“But this paper isn't a reason to throw your life away.”
His expression tightened.
“He killed my brother.”
Amily took a breath.
“The report may establish responsibility for a decision that led to Thomas's death. It deserves to be examined by people with the authority to act.”
Harlon looked toward the kitchen door.
She moved closer.
“I know you want to make Vale suffer.”
His eyes closed.
She continued.
“But Thomas can't speak for himself anymore.”
Harlon swallowed.
“You can.”
He opened his eyes.
“And so can the records.”
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then Amily placed his hand against her cheek.
Her voice softened.
“If you ride into Silverpine and confront Vale with a gun, he gets to turn the story into a quarrel between two angry men.”
Harlon stared.
She continued.
“But if we take these documents to someone who will examine them properly, then Thomas's warnings can finally be heard.”
A tear slipped down Harlon's face.
Amily's own eyes filled.
“And I won't lose you to the man who already took so much from your family.”
Harlon's expression broke.
He lowered his forehead toward hers.
For a long time, they stood together.
Then he whispered, “I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you.”