They looked at each other.
The theory required proof.
Livestock ownership, brands, shipping records, and financial accounts would all have to be examined.
But the possibility explained why the cattle ledger mattered.
A record of animals moved through the northern station could expose years of unauthorized transfers.
It might also explain why Matthew disappeared.
If he had discovered the shipments, he may have threatened a system generating enormous profits.
Gideon rubbed one hand over his beard.
“Matthew was helping Father check the herd records before the storm.”
Elena looked up.
He continued.
“He'd noticed numbers that didn't make sense.”
For years, Gideon remembered that conversation as an ordinary disagreement about missing cattle.
Now the memory took on a terrible meaning.
Matthew had asked why several calves appeared in one inventory but not the next.
He'd wondered whether a northern grazing lease was being used without authorization.
Gideon had been impatient.
The ranch was busy.
Winter was coming.
And he told Matthew the accounting could wait.
Then Matthew rode toward the north pass.
He never came home.
Gideon stared toward the ledger.
His hands tightened.
Elena noticed.
“Don't.”
He looked up.
“Don't what?”
“Start blaming yourself again.”
For a moment, he almost smiled.
“You can read my mind?”
“No.”
She looked toward his clenched hands.
“But you're rather predictable when you're frightened.”
He laughed softly.
Then shook his head.
“You're going to be trouble, Elena Whitmore.”
She smiled.
“An enormous amount.”
For the first time that evening, he laughed without bitterness.
Then the bell above the bakery's front door rang.
Rose appeared in the storeroom entrance.
Her expression was uneasy.
“Elena?”
They turned.
“There's a man here.”
Gideon stood.
“Who?”
Rose swallowed.
“Mr. Voss.”
The room became silent.
Elena looked toward the old ledger.
Then toward Gideon.
Martin Voss had been asking about Lydia's papers.
He had signed deliveries to Crow's Landing.
And he served the man Matthew warned them not to trust.
Gideon reached for his coat.
Elena caught his wrist.
“No.”
He frowned.
She looked directly into his eyes.
“If we confront him with accusations, he'll know exactly what we've found.”
Gideon hesitated.
She continued.
“Let me handle this.”
“Elena—”
“This is my bakery.”
Her expression was calm.
“And he came to speak with me.”
Gideon looked toward the door.
Then nodded reluctantly.
“I'll be nearby.”
Elena smiled faintly.
“I assumed you would.”
She adjusted her blouse, smoothed her enormous skirt, and moved carefully toward the front counter.