"No."
For a moment, anger overcame fear.
Clara looked directly at him.
"His original field notes weren't company property simply because someone wished to possess them."
Crowe's expression hardened.
He stepped closer.
"That's a dangerous opinion."
The second man approached.
He was younger, with a narrow face and a scar beside his ear.
Clara looked between them.
Then toward the road.
The town was too far away for her to count on being heard.
She took a breath.
"I'm leaving."
Crowe reached toward her portfolio.
Clara pulled it away.
He grabbed the cloth strap.
The seam tore.
Several papers slipped toward the bridge planks.
Clara gasped.
"Let go!"
The younger man moved toward her.
She stepped backward.
Her shoulder struck the railing.
For one terrible second, she wondered whether they intended to push her into the freezing creek.
Then a deep voice spoke behind them.
"Move away from her."
Crowe froze.
Clara turned.
Caleb Hart stood at the near end of the bridge.
He was holding the reins of his bay horse.
His heavy coat hung open.
And his expression was frighteningly calm.
Crowe released the portfolio.
"Well, look who it is."
Caleb didn't answer.
He stepped onto the bridge.
"Move."
The younger man laughed nervously.
"This isn't your concern."
Caleb looked toward Clara.
Her face was pale.
Her hands trembled.
A torn strap hung from the portfolio.
He returned his gaze to the men.
"Seems it is."
Crowe took a step forward.
"You don't want trouble with us, Hart."
Caleb's expression didn't change.
"Then leave."
The younger man suddenly reached toward Clara again, apparently hoping to seize the fallen papers while Caleb faced Crowe.
Caleb moved.
He caught the man's wrist, twisted it away from Clara, and shoved him backward against the wooden railing.
The movement was fast enough that Clara barely followed it.
The younger man cried out.
Crowe lunged toward Caleb.
Caleb turned, caught him by the coat, and drove him backward into a support post.
The bridge shuddered.
For one tense moment, all three men stood almost motionless.
Caleb held Crowe's coat in one fist.
The younger man was struggling to regain his balance.
Clara pressed herself against the opposite railing.
Caleb leaned closer to Crowe.
His voice was quiet.
"Walk away."
Crowe stared.
Then spat toward the boards.
"You don't know what you're getting into."
Caleb released him.
"Probably not."
He stepped aside.
"But neither do you."
Crowe backed away.