His gaze shifted to Jonah’s sling.
“I see you have company.”
“Did your men do that?”
Crowell smiled faintly.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
Jonah spoke.
“You understood yesterday.”
Evelyn raised hand without turning.
“My ranch.”
“My conversation.”
Jonah went silent.
Crowell’s eyes flickered.
He had expected easier woman.
Evelyn pulled old receipt from apron.
“Explain.”
For one second, Crowell’s face went blank.
Then:
“A forgery.”
Jonah laughed once.
Crowell ignored.
Evelyn asked:
“You recognized fast.”
“I recognize bank paper.”
“My father paid.”
“No.”
“Thomas Burke signed.”
“Mr. Burke was ill.”
“Jonah witnessed.”
Crowell looked at him.
“Mr. Reed was dismissed for theft.”
There it was.
The clerk beside buggy stared.
Jonah’s jaw tightened.
Evelyn did not look away.
“You collected nine hundred dollars from me after this date.”
“Because balance remained.”
“What balance?”
“Interest.”
“Fees.”
“Penalties.”
“Show ledger.”
“You may inspect records during banking hours.”
“Good.”
“I’ll be there.”
Crowell’s smile thinned.
“Miss Hart, I understand this is difficult.”
She hated the softness of his voice.
“Do not.”
He paused.
“Do not what?”
“Speak to me as if you are explaining rain to child.”
The clerk looked at ground.
Crowell’s face cooled.
“The fact remains that Hart Ranch is encumbered.”
“The fact is you have thirty days to satisfy debt or bank will exercise lawful rights.”
Evelyn stepped closer.
She was taller than many women and large enough that men often misread presence as clumsiness.
Crowell took an involuntary half-step back.
She noticed.
“You had better pray your ledger is cleaner than your conscience.”
His face changed.
Jonah almost smiled behind her.
Crowell glanced toward him.
“Reed, you should remember there remains open complaint for theft of bank property.”
Evelyn looked at Jonah.
He had warned.
Crowell continued:
“Sheriff could be interested.”
Evelyn answered:
“Then perhaps sheriff can read receipt too.”
Crowell’s gaze returned to her.
“Be careful whose story you believe.”
Evelyn smiled without humor.
“I spent two years believing yours.”
The smile disappeared from his face.
He left.
When buggy vanished, Jonah exhaled.
“That went well.”
Evelyn turned.
“You have an open theft complaint?”
“Possibly.”
“You said sheriff showed Crowell statement.”
“I mentioned.”
“You did not say warrant.”
“I don't know if warrant exists.”
“Jonah.”
“I’ve been out of territory.”
She pressed fingers to temple.
“You are very inconvenient.”
“I arrived injured and unemployed.”
“I thought that was obvious.”
Evelyn almost threw hammer.
Instead she laughed.
Against all reason.
The next day they went to Bitter Creek Bank.
Evelyn entered first.
Every head turned.
That was ordinary.
What changed was Jonah behind her.
Whispers began.