“What are you doing?”
“Improving the floor.”
The cellar door above opened.
Not Thomas.
A boot appeared.
Then another.
The intruder descended fast.
His heel struck the peas.
He slipped violently and crashed down the stairs.
Martha stepped forward with a cast-iron skillet.
The man looked up.
“What the—”
She struck his wrist before he could raise the pistol.
The weapon skittered away.
Eli grabbed it.
The intruder lunged toward Martha.
That was another mistake.
She lowered her shoulder and shoved him backward with the full strength of her broad body.
He hit the wall hard.
Eli pointed the gun.
“Don't move.”
The man stared at the boy.
Then at Martha.
“You fat—”
Martha raised the skillet.
He stopped.
“Excellent decision.”
Upstairs, Thomas shouted her name.
“We're fine.”
A second later he descended.
He saw the man against the wall.
Then the peas.
Then Martha holding the skillet.
“What happened?”
“He fell.”
Thomas looked at the intruder’s bleeding wrist.
“Repeatedly?”
Martha shrugged.
Thomas almost smiled.
Outside, the remaining lanterns retreated.
He hauled the prisoner upstairs and tied him to a chair.
The man’s name was Wade Mercer.
Thomas knew him.
That was clear immediately.
Mercer smiled through split lips.
“Been a long time.”
“Not long enough.”
“So the stories were true.”
“What stories?”
“The mountain dog found himself a woman.”
Thomas’s expression cooled.
Mercer looked toward Martha.
“Big one.”
Thomas struck him.
Once.
Open hand.
Hard enough to turn his head.
Martha grabbed Thomas’s wrist before he could do more.
“He wants you angry.”
Thomas breathed heavily.
Mercer laughed.
“Still easy.”
Eli stepped into the room.
Mercer’s smile vanished.
“There he is.”
Thomas moved in front of the boy.
Mercer leaned back.
“Your brother caused all this, kid.”
Eli’s face tightened.
“My father didn't kill anyone.”
“No?”
Mercer smiled.
“Ask your uncle what Gideon did twenty years ago.”
Thomas went still.
Martha remembered the ledger.
Thomas’s name.
Payments.
Containment.
She looked at him.
“What did Gideon do?”
Thomas stared at Mercer.
“Nothing you need from him.”
Mercer smiled wider.
“Tell her.”
“Tell your lady why Covenant Creek has hated the Vale brothers since before that boy was born.”
Thomas said nothing.
Mercer looked at Martha.
“Your mountain man was sheriff’s muscle once.”
Martha felt the room shift.
Thomas’s voice became dangerous.
“Enough.”
Mercer continued.
“He collected debts.”
“Dragged families off mining land.”
“Beat men who wouldn't sign.”
“Then Gideon decided he had a conscience and stole the company ledger.”
Eli shook his head.
“You're lying.”