“You keep preventing the enjoyable parts.”
“If I let you punch every dishonest man we meet, you’ll never finish ranch work.”
Elias smiled.
Then became serious.
“He knew you.”
“Yes.”
“Before?”
“Yes.”
Emma looked toward the bank window.
“Harlan Bell had seen something about me before I arrived.”
The rail freight office gave them copies of shipment records.
Those copies transformed suspicion into evidence.
Three feed deliveries Bell’s bank had financed never reached Hart Ranch.
Two existed only on paper.
A third was delivered to Bell Cattle Company.
Yet Elias had been charged principal and interest for all three.
Emma sat at the freight clerk’s desk for two hours matching dates.
By the end, the clerk looked ill.
“I didn’t know.”
“I believe you.”
“What do I do?”
“Make copies.”
“Bell won’t like that.”
Emma looked at him.
“Then make two.”
The next clue came from Wichita.
A letter arrived from Clara Mott, owner of the marriage bureau.
Elias opened it at supper.
His expression changed.
Emma took the page.
Mr. Hart,
I have reviewed your complaint.
Our office sent four pieces of correspondence to you after receiving Miss Whitaker’s application.
Our records show delivery through Mercy Bend.
Miss Whitaker was sent three pieces from you.
She reports receiving only the formal contract.
This suggests interference after correspondence left our office.
More troubling, someone sent a telegram from Mercy Bend identifying himself as your authorized representative and requesting Miss Whitaker’s physical description and arrival information “to ensure transport accommodations.”
We replied in good faith.
I have enclosed the telegram copy.
Emma unfolded it.
The authorization line read:
A. PIKE
For E. Hart
Her hand went cold.
“Amos.”
Elias stood.
“Stay here.”
Emma looked up.
“No.”
“I’m going to town.”
“So am I.”
“This could become ugly.”
“It became ugly before I stepped from the stagecoach.”
Elias looked at her.
“You don’t have to fight every battle because someone made you the target.”
Emma stood.
“And you don’t get to turn me into someone who waits in the house while men discuss what happened to me.”
Silence.
Elias nodded.
“You’re right.”
She picked up her shawl.
“I know.”
They rode to Mercy Bend.
Sheriff Pike read the telegram twice.
Then a third time.
His face had gone gray.
“That fool.”
“Your brother?” Emma asked.
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
“Saloon.”
They found Amos behind the bar.
He saw the paper.
Ran.
That was answer enough.
He vaulted the rear counter and disappeared through the kitchen.
Elias went after him.
Emma followed as far as the alley.
Amos burst through the back door.
Sheriff Pike intercepted him.
Both brothers slammed into the wall.
Amos shouted.
Jonah shoved him back.
“Stop!”
“You’re arresting your own brother?”
“I’m considering it.”
“For a joke?”
Emma stepped into the alley.
“For opening private mail.”
Amos looked at her with hatred.
“You think this is about you?”
Emma stopped.
“What is it about?”
He smiled.
Then apparently realized he had already said too much.
Sheriff Pike grabbed his collar.
“Talk.”
Amos spat into the dust.
“Ask Bell.”
Everyone went still.