Chapter 8 - The Sheriff’s Warning
Amos had a choice.
Obey Judge Harland.
Or protect the witnesses.
He chose the witnesses.
That decision cost him his badge.
Harland arrived in town and publicly removed Amos from office.
He declared Silas a fugitive.
The seven women were described as contract violators and thieves.
Eda read the notice.
“They made us criminals.”
Silas tore it down.
“Paper again.”
But paper mattered.
People who had quietly sympathized with them became frightened.
Storekeepers refused supplies.
Neighbors avoided the ranch.
Then unexpected help came.
Mrs. Talbot from the mercantile brought flour after dark.
The blacksmith delivered horseshoes.
A preacher brought blankets.
One person became three.
Three became twelve.
The town had watched once.
Now some were tired of watching.
Harland underestimated that.
He also underestimated the seven women.
Mabel organized documents.
Ruth interviewed Clara.
Pearl recorded names.
Susanna prepared copies.
Lena learned telegraph code from Amos.
Joelle marked missing women on a map.
Eda coordinated everything.
Silas watched them transform.
At the auction, people had called them Lot Seven.
Now each had a task.
A voice.
A name.
Then Lena intercepted a message.
Harland had ordered the ranch burned.
Tonight.
May you like
And whoever remained inside was not supposed to survive.
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