Several days later, Ruth sent word.
A handwriting examiner in Helena had compared Patrick’s known letters with the disputed transfer.
Preliminary opinion: likely forgery.
More importantly, the examiner noticed something no one else had.
The ink on Patrick’s supposed signature was manufactured in the United States two years after Patrick allegedly signed it in Ireland.
Maeve read the letter twice.
Then handed it to Callaway.
He whistled.
“That seems inconvenient for Mercer.”
Maeve smiled.
“Very.”
They traveled back to town.
Ruth was waiting.
So was Silas.
This time he had his own attorney.
The meeting took place in the courthouse.
Silas looked less amused than before.
Ruth placed the examiner’s statement on the table.
“The transfer is fraudulent.”
Silas’s attorney objected.
Ruth continued.
“We are also petitioning to restore Patrick Gallagher’s ownership record retroactively and recognize Maeve Gallagher as lawful heir.”
Silas turned toward Maeve.
“You understand that if the railroad deal proceeds, taxes will increase.”
Maeve stared.
“That is your argument?”
“You are not equipped to manage property here.”
Callaway shifted.
Maeve lifted one hand slightly.
He stopped.
She liked that.
Maeve looked at Silas.
“I crossed the Atlantic alone, learned to run a ranch household, can ride through snow, shoot a rifle, keep cattle records, and identify fraud in less than three months.”
Silas’s face hardened.
“And somehow you remain convinced that my greatest problem is taxation.”
Ruth smiled.
Silas leaned closer.
“Sell me your share.”
“No.”
“Name a price.”
“No.”
“Twenty thousand dollars.”
Callaway’s head turned sharply.
Maeve understood from his reaction that the amount was enormous.
“No.”
“Thirty.”
“No.”
“Fifty thousand.”
The room went quiet.
Maeve’s heart beat faster.
Fifty thousand dollars.
More money than she had imagined possessing.
Enough to return to Ireland wealthy.
Enough to never work again.
Enough to leave every uncertainty behind.
Silas saw the hesitation.
“Fifty thousand cash.”
Callaway said nothing.
Maeve looked at him.
He did not plead.
Did not shake his head.
Did not even meet her eyes until she looked directly at him.
Then he said quietly, “It’s yours.”
The same words as before.
Maeve felt something settle inside her.
Silas smiled.
“Think carefully.”
Maeve turned.
“I have.”
His smile grew.
She continued.
“No.”
Silas’s expression changed.
Maeve leaned forward.
“You made the same mistake Callaway made.”
Callaway raised an eyebrow.
Silas asked, “What mistake?”
“You assumed the important thing was deciding what I should do.”
Maeve sat back.
“I am keeping my land.”
The case moved quickly after that.
Once the forgery became credible, other records drew scrutiny.
Judge Walsh’s private copies proved several filings had been altered.
Former clerks gave statements.
One admitted Silas’s father routinely paid for documents to be backdated.
Another remembered Patrick Gallagher’s disputed transfer because the supposed overseas signature had arrived without normal consular authentication.
Silas’s attorney withdrew.