Three sheep farmers.
Two cattle ranchers.
A blacksmith.
Each brought invoices.
Lena covered table.
“You're saying Prescott is stealing?”
Walter asked.
“No.”
“Looks like stealing.”
“I’m saying records do not reconcile.”
Jonas nodded.
“Meaning stealing with arithmetic.”
Lena sighed.
“Potentially.”
They compared freight fees.
Weight deductions.
Interest charges.
“Storage penalties.”
Duplicate handling.
It was worse than Lena thought.
Over five years, twelve families had lost more than two thousand dollars combined.
More importantly, Prescott controlled the only reliable winter freight contract through Cedar Ridge.
Ranchers depended on him for supplies.
He depended on them for hides, beef, wool, grain, and freight volume.
A system had formed.
Everyone assumed it was necessary.
Lena looked around.
“What happens if none of you sell through him this winter?”
Silence.
Jonas laughed.
“We starve before he does.”
“Maybe.”
“Not confidence inspiring.”
“What if we pool orders?”
Eleanor leaned forward.
“From where?”
“Helena.”
“Too far.”
“Not by rail to Millstone.”
Reid frowned.
“Rail freight is expensive.”
“Individually.”
Lena pointed.
“Together?”
Nobody spoke.
She had their attention.
“We combine flour, salt, kerosene, tools.”
“One shipment.”
“Millstone depot.”
“Haul wagons together.”
“Prescott loses purchase volume and resale margin.”
Walter said:
“And if snow closes pass?”
“Then we move before first heavy snow.”
Jonas shook head.
“Three weeks.”