Chapter 6 - The Secret Eda Refused to Tell
Clara's testimony changed everything.
Judge Harland had signed fraudulent labor orders.
He validated debts.
He transferred women across county lines under legal-looking paperwork.
Clem enforced the arrangements.
Pike recruited victims.
The auctioneer created public transactions to disguise private trafficking.
And respectable businessmen paid.
But Eda still hid one final secret.
Silas knew it.
He waited until evening.
“What haven't you told me?”
Eda stood beside the barn.
Snow melted from the roof.
“I stole something from Pike.”
“The ledger?”
“No.”
She reached inside her bodice and removed a small brass key.
“What's that?”
“Pike's deposit-box key.”
“Where?”
“Red Creek Bank.”
Silas stared.
“How long have you had it?”
“Since before the auction.”
“That may be what Clem wants.”
“I know.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because everyone who learns about it becomes a target.”
Silas looked at her.
“I was a target when I said seven dollars.”
Eda almost smiled.
Then tears filled her eyes unexpectedly.
“I don't want anyone else dying because of us.”
Silas answered quietly.
“People aren't dying because of you.”
She looked away.
“They're dying because men chose to hurt people.”
That distinction mattered.
The next morning they prepared for Red Creek.
Inside Pike's deposit box they found bank drafts, letters, shipping schedules, and names powerful enough to shake the territory.
Most important was a signed agreement bearing Harland's seal.
Proof.
Real proof.
But a bank clerk saw them.
By evening, Harland knew.
And the chase began.
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For the first time, the seven women possessed enough evidence to destroy the network—and enough evidence to make every man in that network want them dead.
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