Chapter 7 - The Sheriff’s Choice
Pike survived.
Barely.
When he woke, he confessed.
Years earlier, he had accepted money from Voss to help families facing debt.
At first, he believed he was helping.
Then he discovered Voss used those debts to seize land and control workers.
By then Pike was implicated.
So he remained silent.
Silas listened without sympathy.
“You watched people suffer.”
“Yes.”
“You turned away starving mothers.”
Pike cried.
“Yes.”
“Why should I trust you now?”
“You shouldn't.”
That answer surprised Silas.
Pike gave Boon a key.
A strongbox beneath Voss's freight office contained original contracts and payment records.
Enough to prove everything.
Boon faced a choice.
Wait for the federal judge.
Or raid Voss immediately.
Waiting meant evidence might disappear.
Raiding meant facing armed men with only a wounded sheriff and a handful of citizens.
Boon looked at Silas.
“I could deputize you.”
“No.”
“You've been carrying a rifle through half this mess.”
“Still don't want a badge.”
“Why?”
“I've met too many people who think metal on their chest makes them right.”
Boon smiled faintly.
“That's probably why you'd be useful.”
Silas eventually accepted.
Not for Voss.
For Mian.
For Atseli.
For the babies sleeping beneath his roof.
They entered town before dawn.
Voss's office was empty.
The strongbox remained.
Inside were records worse than anyone expected.
Illegal land transfers.
Bribes.
Names of missing workers.
And a map.
Silas unfolded it.
Red marks crossed properties throughout the valley.
One mark surrounded Ward Ranch.
Beside it was a date.
Tomorrow.
Boon stared.
“What happens tomorrow?”
Pike went pale.
“I know.”
Everyone turned.
“Voss isn't planning to take your ranch legally.”
Silas's eyes narrowed.
“Then how?”
Pike whispered:
May you like
“He's planning to make sure there's nobody left alive to claim it.”
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