“What did you confirm?”
Jonah’s eyes narrowed.
“That the ranch is worth far more to Vale than the amount he claims you owe.”
Evelyn almost laughed.
“This ranch is two hundred acres of dry pasture, one dying creek, and a barn with a roof older than I am.”
“No.”
Jonah stood slowly.
“Your ranch is sitting directly across the proposed Bitter Creek freight spur.”
Evelyn went still.
“What freight spur?”
“It isn’t public yet.”
“Rail company has been buying options quietly.”
“The planned route crosses the southern edge of Hart land.”
“If it comes through, the loading station will need water, cattle pens, storage, and access road.”
Evelyn stared toward the south pasture.
The land her father had refused to sell even in the worst winter.
Jonah continued.
“Vale and two investors have been buying distressed ranches along the proposed line.”
“Foreclosures.”
“Tax sales.”
“Private notes.”
“How many?”
“I know of six.”
Her face turned cold.
“And mine makes seven.”
“Yes.”
“Why do you know?”
“Because I followed the money.”
“How?”
Jonah smiled faintly.
“I was a better ledger clerk than Vale thought.”
Evelyn looked at his sling.
“What happened to your arm?”
“I came through Bitter Creek two nights ago.”
“You were already here?”
“Not here.”
“In town.”
“Why didn’t you come directly?”
“I wanted the current ledger.”
She stared.
“You broke into the bank?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“An old friend works nights cleaning.”
“That sounds suspiciously close to breaking in.”
“I was invited inside.”
“To the records room?”
“No.”
“There it is.”
Jonah almost smiled again.
“I copied what I needed.”
“Vale’s man saw me leaving.”
“He followed.”
“And?”
“My horse decided a ditch was a reasonable place to put us both.”
Evelyn looked toward the tired animal.
“Your horse has better judgment than you.”
“Probably.”
“Your arm?”
“Shoulder.”
“Maybe wrist.”
“You don’t know?”
“I have not had time to ask a doctor.”
Evelyn exhaled sharply.
“You rode here with a broken arm?”
“Walked, mostly.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“Yes.”
She looked at the receipt.
Then at him.
“You said the mortgage is paid.”
“Yes.”
“Yet the bank has the recorded lien.”
“Yes.”
“And the county has no satisfaction.”
“Yes.”
“So this piece of paper does not automatically save my ranch.”
“No.”
The hope that had risen inside her collapsed slightly.
Jonah saw.
“But it can stop foreclosure long enough to prove the rest.”
“How?”
“We need Vale’s original cash ledger.”
“You stole that too?”
“No.”
“I copied entries.”
“With one hand?”
“Before ditch.”
He reached into his coat again.
This time Evelyn did not flinch.
He pulled out a small notebook.
Names.
Dates.
Amounts.
Loan numbers.
Hart.
Donovan.
Mercer.
Bell.
Rourke.