He placed the packet on her desk.
"Trouble."
Her smile faded.
"Sit down."
For the next hour, Gideon explained everything.
The marriage advertisement.
Lydia's arrival.
The wedding ceremony.
The letter.
Elias's journal.
The suggestion that Everett Bowman had survived a warehouse fire.
And the pressure from Silas Rusk.
Abigail listened carefully.
She asked questions.
Took notes.
Examined dates.
Then she leaned back.
"First, we need to separate the matters."
Gideon frowned.
"Separate them?"
"Your brother's death and the possible survey fraud are one set of questions. Lydia's prior marriage is another. Threats against her are a third."
Gideon nodded.
Abigail continued.
"That doesn't mean they aren't connected. It means we shouldn't assume one fact proves another."
He looked toward the letter.
"What about Everett?"
"If he's alive, the legal status of the marriage you entered may be disputed."
Gideon's stomach tightened.
Abigail watched him.
"Did Lydia genuinely believe he was dead?"
"Yes."
"Did you?"
"Yes."
"Then neither of you knowingly entered a false marriage."
He exhaled.
"But what happens to her?"
Abigail studied him.
"What does she want?"
Gideon looked surprised.
"She wants to stay."
"Then that's where we begin."
He stared.
Abigail continued.
"She is an adult woman. Even if the status of the second marriage must be resolved, that does not entitle Everett Bowman to take her away by force."
Gideon's shoulders eased.
"Can she divorce him?"
"Potentially. We would need to establish the marriage, his identity, the facts of his alleged death, and the grounds available under the applicable law. The process may take time."
Gideon nodded slowly.
"How much?"
"I won't guess before examining the documents."
He looked toward the floor.
Abigail leaned forward.
"Gideon."
He raised his head.
"Do you intend to pressure her to remain your wife?"
"No."
"Do you intend to use the cabin or food to make her dependent on you?"
His expression hardened.
"Never."
Abigail nodded.
"Good. Then make sure she has choices. Not merely promises."
He looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"Access to her own documents. Information about her legal position. A means of traveling if she wishes. Money she can control. A safe place to stay if she prefers not to live with you while the matter is unsettled."
Gideon listened.
Then nodded.
"I can do that."
Abigail smiled faintly.
"I believe you can."
He hesitated.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"Rusk may be involved in Elias's death."
Abigail looked toward the journal.
"That's a serious allegation."
"I know."
She opened it.
For several minutes, she examined the entries.
Then she looked up.
"We need the original survey records."
Gideon nodded.