Chapter 15 - The Truth Beneath the Floorboards
Dunn reached the old church before them.
Leanne had hidden Thomas’s records beneath a loose floorboard there after returning from Red Creek.
When Arthur arrived, Dunn was waiting.
He had the documents.
And a lantern.
“Another fire,” Dunn said. “Seems fitting.”
Arthur stared at the man who had helped bury Samuel.
“Why?”
Dunn laughed nervously.
“Money.”
That simple answer hurt more than madness would have.
Anna and Samuel had died for money.
Thomas had died for money.
Families had been destroyed for money.
Dunn tipped the lantern.
Leanne appeared behind him.
“Sheriff.”
He turned.
That moment was enough.
Arthur tackled him.
The lantern fell but did not break.
The deputy marshal arrived minutes later.
Dunn was arrested.
The documents were recovered.
Silas Vane’s empire collapsed over the following months.
Land deeds were investigated.
Officials were charged.
Families were compensated where possible.
Arthur Hale’s name was cleared.
But none of it brought Anna or Samuel back.
Justice could close a case.
It could not fill an empty chair.
Arthur had to discover another way to live with that emptiness.
May you like
And the answer had been standing quietly inside his house all winter.
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