Chapter 9 - The Trial of Silas Mercer
Mercer's hearing drew people from three counties.
Witnesses testified.
Families described threats.
Scar-face described payments.
Sheriff Burke produced records.
Naelli described the river attack without exaggeration.
Her calm made the testimony more powerful.
Mercer's attorney tried to provoke her.
“You expect this court to trust your account?”
Naelli looked at him.
“No.”
The lawyer blinked.
“I expect the court to trust the records, the witnesses, the payments, and the men your client hired.”
Even the judge hid a smile.
Mercer was indicted on multiple charges.
But before transfer, he escaped.
A deputy had been bribed.
Elias learned at midnight.
“Where would he go?”
Naelli already knew.
“Cottonwood Creek.”
Mercer wanted the original deeds.
They rode.
They found him digging beneath the old tree.
Mercer turned with a revolver.
“You two destroyed everything.”
Elias answered, “You did that yourself.”
Mercer aimed at Naelli.
Before he fired, Sheriff Burke stepped from the darkness.
“Put it down.”
Mercer laughed bitterly.
“You people think papers change anything?”
Naelli answered.
“No. People do.”
Mercer looked around.
Townspeople had followed Burke.
Dozens stood behind him.
People Mercer had manipulated through fear.
Now none stood beside him.
His weapon slowly lowered.
For the first time, Silas Mercer understood he had lost.
Not because Elias had beaten him.
Not because Naelli possessed a deed.
Because fear no longer controlled the town.
Burke arrested him again.
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This time, no one helped him escape.
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