Elena looked toward him.
“Perhaps.”
He nodded.
“Exactly.”
She continued.
“But it doesn't make a freight invoice disappear.”
His expression changed.
“And it doesn't explain why a supposedly closed station received supplies for months.”
Rusk's jaw tightened.
Elena looked directly into his eyes.
“Or why a man using the name Will Hart was paid through your office while Gideon was being told his brother was dead.”
For several seconds, the yard remained silent.
Rusk's two companions looked toward each other.
Then the cattle broker spoke softly.
“You should be very careful, young woman.”
Elena felt cold.
But she held his gaze.
“I intend to be.”
Rusk stepped closer.
“You don't understand what you're interfering with.”
She nodded slowly.
“Then perhaps you should explain it to the territorial authorities.”
His expression hardened.
“Get down from that wagon.”
Elena remained seated.
“No.”
The men behind Rusk shifted.
He lowered his voice.
“Miss Whitmore, don't make this difficult.”
She smiled without warmth.
“You're standing on a public freight approach, telling a woman to leave a wagon she owns. I don't believe you get to make that decision.”
Rusk stared.
Then he noticed the flour sack beside her.
His eyes narrowed.
“What's in there?”
Elena glanced down.
“Bakery supplies.”
He stepped toward it.
She immediately raised the small horn.
Rusk stopped.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then he smiled coldly.
“Do you think that little thing frightens me?”
Elena took a breath.
“No.”
Her voice became firm.
“But I think you ought to be frightened of what happens when men who've spent ten years lying finally discover their lies have witnesses.”
Rusk's expression changed.
Behind him, one of the riders reached toward his coat.
Elena noticed.
She raised the horn to her lips.
And sounded it.
The blast echoed across the freight yard.
Rusk spun toward his men.
“STOP HER!”
Elena pulled the wagon reins.
The horses moved forward.
The heavy wagon rolled toward the open road.
One rider attempted to block the path.
But the animals continued steadily, guided by a driver who understood how to handle a team.
The man stepped aside rather than risk being struck.
Elena kept the horses moving.
She didn't try to race.
The road was icy.
The wagon was heavy.
And a reckless maneuver could overturn it.
Instead, she followed the broad approach toward the creek crossing.
Behind her, shouting erupted.
Then Gideon appeared from the rear of the warehouse with Matthew beside him.