You are a long way from your savages. If you have come to surrender, you can wait in the jail. Luke didn't stop until he reached the railing that separated the crowd from the leaders. He tossed the ledger onto the table. It landed with a heavy slap that echoed in the silence.
I am not here to surrender, Captain, Luke said, his voice steady. I am here to stop a theft. Silas Morgan narrowed his eyes. He leaned forward, looking at the book, then at Luke. You are disrupting legal proceedings.
Cowboy, Morgan growled. Sheriff, remove this trash. Wait, Judge Miller said. He looked at the ledger. He recognized it.
He looked at Luke with a sudden, sharp interest. What is this? It is the cost of doing business, Luke said. He looked at the crowd, raising his voice so every man in the back could hear. You have been told that the Apache are raiding the lower valley.
You have been told that the army needs to clear them out for your safety. You have been told that Silas Morgan is buying the land to bring the railroad and prosperity to this town. Luke pointed a shaking finger at the ledger. That book says different. That book says Silas Morgan paid three men to burn the Turner ranch last month and blame it on the tribe.
That book says he paid Captain Harlan $2,000 in gold to file false reports to the Department of the Interior. The room erupted. Men jumped to their feet. Shouts of anger and disbelief bounced off the walls. Liar, Morgan shouted, slamming his hand on the table.
This is treason. He is lying to protect his. Read the dates, Luke shouted back, his voice cutting through the noise. He looked at the judge. Page 10.
July 12th. Payment to County Clerk O'Malley for falsifying the survey maps, $500. Page 20. Witness fees for the men who swore they saw Taza raiding the herd, $20 a head. The judge reached out and opened the book.
His hands were shaking. He ran his finger down the column of figures. He stopped. He looked up at O'Malley, who was shrinking into the corner of the room, his face the color of old milk. Is this your handwriting, O'Malley?