"Did you tell him?"
The operator shook his head.
"Didn't have a reason to discuss another person's messages. Told him to ask at the stage office."
Martha took a slow breath.
The young man continued.
"He wasn't pleased."
Caleb looked toward the freight depot.
"Do you know his name?"
The operator shook his head.
"But he had a blue coat and a silver watch chain. I've seen him near the freight office before."
Caleb nodded.
"Thank you."
They stepped outside.
Martha looked toward him.
"He's watching."
Caleb nodded.
"Someone is."
For a moment, she seemed frightened.
Then she straightened.
"What do we do?"
Caleb looked toward the courthouse building at the far end of the street.
"We tell the sheriff what we know."
The county sheriff was a sturdy man named Gideon Price, with silver hair, a short beard, and the weary expression of someone who had spent too many years listening to disputes between people who believed their problems were unique.
He knew Caleb from previous winters.
When they entered his office, Gideon stood.
"Montgomery."
Caleb nodded.
"Sheriff."
Gideon looked toward Martha.
Then toward the papers in Caleb's hand.
"Something wrong?"
Caleb took a breath.
"Possibly."
Martha stepped forward.
"I need to report threats made by a former employer."
The sheriff gestured toward a chair.
"Sit down and tell me."
She hesitated.
Then she sat.
Caleb remained nearby but allowed Martha to speak.
At first, her voice was quiet.
She explained her employment in Missouri, the wage records, the mistreatment she'd experienced, and the reasons she'd left. She described the recent letter, the freight company's questions about her travel, and the apparent connection between Harlan's business and Caleb's property.
The sheriff listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he examined the copied accounts and the letter.
He looked toward Caleb.
"You know this Harlan Tate?"
Caleb nodded.
"He's my half-brother."
Gideon's eyebrows rose.
"Well, that complicates matters."
Caleb gave a humorless smile.
"That's one way of putting it."
The sheriff looked toward Martha.
"Do you have any reason to believe he'll come here personally?"
She nodded toward the letter.
"He says so."
Gideon read it again.
Then he leaned back.
"I can record your complaint and make inquiries about the freight office. I can't arrest a man merely because a letter makes you uneasy, but threats or fraudulent business dealings are another matter if the evidence supports them."
Martha nodded.
She appreciated his honesty.
The sheriff continued.
"Has anyone tried to force you to return to Missouri?"
"Not yet."
"Has anyone threatened you here?"
"Only the message."
Gideon nodded.
"Then we'll begin with that."
He looked toward Caleb.
"And I suggest neither of you confront Tate alone."
Caleb agreed.
The sheriff studied him for a moment.
"That includes you, Montgomery."
Caleb almost smiled.
"I heard you."
Gideon nodded.
"Good. Because I remember what happened the last time you and your brother shared a room."