Chapter 12 - A Widow Stands Before the Town
Min returned three weeks later.
Hilton was waiting at the stage depot.
So was half the town.
Martha had organized it without asking.
Min stepped down.
Her brother Wei followed.
Hilton's stomach tightened.
Wei studied him.
Hilton studied Wei.
Min sighed.
“No fighting.”
“We haven't spoken,” Hilton said.
“Your face speaking.”
Wei suddenly smiled.
Then extended his hand.
“You are Hilton Crow?”
“Yes.”
“My sister write many letters.”
Hilton glanced at Min.
She looked innocent.
Wei continued.
“She say stubborn rancher give bad biscuits.”
“They weren't bad.”
Min laughed.
Wei stayed at Crow Ridge for a month.
During that time, the trial began.
Min testified publicly.
This time, she needed no interpreter.
Her English had improved.
More importantly, her confidence had.
She described Jian.
The unsafe mine.
Voss’s threats.
Hale’s warning.
Her flight.
Her days hiding in Hilton’s barn.
When Mercer's attorney asked why she had not gone to the authorities immediately, Min looked toward former Sheriff Reed.
The courtroom laughed bitterly.
“Which authority?” she asked.
The attorney had no answer.
Hilton testified next.
Then Silas.
Then Voss.
Then the families.
Fourteen names were spoken into the record.
Fourteen.
Not seven.
When court adjourned, reporters surrounded Min.
One asked whether Hilton had “rescued” her.
Min considered.
Then answered:
“He give me food when hungry. Place when afraid. But no.”
The reporter frowned.
“No?”
“I rescue myself too.”
Hilton smiled.
May you like
That was exactly right.
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