The large Hart woman had brought drifter.
She ignored.
Crowell stood behind counter.
“Miss Hart.”
“Ledger.”
He sighed.
“Private books are not available for casual inspection.”
“You told me yesterday.”
“I said records relevant to your loan.”
“Then bring.”
He motioned clerk.
A mortgage ledger appeared.
Evelyn opened.
Samuel Hart.
Original principal.
Payments.
Then last eighteen months before death.
Several small amounts.
No final payoff.
After death:
Evelyn’s payments.
Nine hundred twelve dollars.
She clenched jaw.
Jonah leaned near.
“Look at page numbering.”
Evelyn frowned.
Then 116.
“Page 115?”
The clerk froze.
Crowell said:
“Removed for correction.”
“Where?”
“Archived.”
“Bring.”
“Not necessary.”
Jonah smiled.
“There.”
Crowell’s face hardened.
Evelyn understood.
Missing page.
“Page 115 held week my father paid?”
No answer.
Crowell closed ledger.
“This meeting is over.”
Evelyn put hand on book.
“No.”
Crowell’s eyes moved to her hand.
“This is bank property.”
“My money is in it.”
“Remove your hand.”
“Bring page.”
Crowell leaned.
“You are creating scene.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Then everyone should hear.”
People nearby stopped pretending not to.
She raised voice.
“My father paid mortgage in full before he died.”
A murmur.
Crowell’s cheeks reddened.
“This is defamatory.”
“I have receipt.”
“Forgery produced by disgraced former clerk.”
Jonah moved.
Evelyn caught his sleeve.
“Stay.”
He did.
That obedience registered with room.
Crowell pointed at Jonah.
“This man stole institutional records.”
Jonah answered calmly:
“I copied evidence after you diverted a customer payment.”
Crowell shouted:
“Get out.”
Evelyn looked around.
“Does anyone remember my father coming here in October two years ago?”
Silence.
Then old woman near window spoke.
“I do.”
Everyone looked.
Mrs. Bellamy, widow who owned feed store.
“He sold cattle that week.”
Crowell snapped:
“Mrs. Bellamy, please.”
She ignored.
“He told my husband he was finally free of bank.”
Evelyn’s throat tightened.
Crowell’s face changed.
There it was.
A witness to Samuel’s words.
Not proof.
But crack.
Then sheriff entered.
Evelyn’s stomach dropped.
Crowell had planned.
Sheriff Mason looked uncomfortable.
“Jonah Reed?”
Jonah lifted left hand slightly.
“Yes.”