“That is stealing.”
“Yes.”
She almost smiled despite herself.
At least he admitted.
“Why not go to sheriff?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“Sheriff showed Crowell my statement.”
“Wonderful.”
“By next morning, Crowell claimed I altered records.”
“Burke was too sick to testify.”
“I lost job.”
“Two weeks later somebody set fire to room I rented.”
Evelyn’s anger shifted.
“Were you inside?”
“No.”
“Did you leave?”
“Yes.”
“For two years?”
“I worked Wyoming.”
“Idaho.”
“Freight crews.”
“Ranches.”
“Then what brought you back now?”
Jonah looked toward the foreclosure letter.
“Crowell sent me a telegram.”
Evelyn went still.
“What did it say?”
“He offered five hundred dollars if I signed statement saying your father’s payment was partial.”
Her mouth opened.
“I came back to see why.”
“You met him?”
“Yesterday.”
“And your hand?”
“His men were less interested in discussion.”
A chill ran through her.
“They attacked you.”
“Two men.”
“Where?”
“South road.”
“Your horse fell during it?”
“Eventually.”
“Why didn’t they take the receipt?”
Jonah’s mouth moved slightly.
“They did.”
Evelyn looked at the paper in her hand.
“This?”
“Duplicate of duplicate.”
She stared at him.
“You carry multiple copies?”
“I used to work in bank.”
For first time since he arrived, Evelyn laughed properly.
It escaped before she could stop it.
Jonah looked pleased.
She pointed at him.
“Do not become charming.”
“I’m injured.”
“Then remain that.”
She sat again.
The laughter vanished quickly.
“Thirty days.”
Jonah nodded.
“Less now.”
“Twenty-nine after midnight.”
“Crowell thinks he controls county records.”
“Does he?”
“Probably.”
“Then Helena.”
“Yes.”
“We need central bank books.”
“Territorial banking examiner.”
“And original clearing account showing Samuel’s draft.”
Evelyn thought.
“How long?”
“Four days by road if weather holds.”
“I cannot leave four days.”
“You might have to.”
“I have cattle.”
“Fence north side barely stands.”
“I saw.”
“You saw too much.”
“It’s visible from road.”
She glared.
Jonah smiled.
Then winced when adjusting sling.
Evelyn’s attention dropped to the injured arm.
“Take that off.”
His eyebrows rose.
“Excuse me?”
“The sling.”
“That proposal changed quickly.”
Her face heated.
“I mean so I can see injury.”
Jonah grinned.
“That is less exciting.”
“Continue and I will put you back outside.”
He carefully unwound cloth.
His right hand and wrist were badly swollen.
Purple bruising ran almost to elbow.
Evelyn inhaled.