Mercer remained calm.
"The balance was calculated from records transferred with the note."
Hannah looked at Nathan.
"How much did you originally borrow?"
"4,000."
"How much had you paid?"
"Most of it."
She checked the page.
"This claims you owe 3,800."
Nathan went still.
Mercer said, "There were missed interest adjustments."
"There were no adjustments listed in the original note."
"You haven't seen the original."
Hannah looked at him.
"Yes, I have."
Mercer's eyes changed only slightly.
Hannah turned toward the house.
"The copy Nathan keeps is in the office."
Mercer followed her with his gaze.
"You've been thorough."
"I try."
Nathan said, "What are you after?"
Mercer looked back at him.
"Payment."
"That's not what I asked."
Mercer folded his gloves together.
"30 days."
Nathan's jaw tightened.
"And if I don't?"
"The North Winter Range, named as security, passes under the terms of the note."
Ben, standing near the barn, stopped pretending not to listen.
Hannah looked down at the document again.
The North Range was where nearly half Black Pine's herd wintered.
Without it, Nathan could keep cattle, but not enough to keep Black Pine what it was.
Mercer put his gloves back on.
"30 days."
Then he mounted.
Hannah watched him ride out before she spoke.
"He inflated it."
Nathan looked at her.
"I know."
"No, I mean the pattern."
She held up the paper.
"Same thing as the freight charges. Small changes buried inside legitimate numbers. Interest added where no interest belongs. Fees that sound official because nobody expects to read every line."
Nathan looked toward the road.
"What do you need?"
Hannah answered without hesitation.
"The Whitaker records."
His eyes returned to her.
She hated the truth before she said it.
"Father's notes referenced the old grazing arrangements. If Mercer was using the same method on both ranches, there may be original contracts still at the Whitaker place."
Nathan said nothing.
Hannah folded the note.
That evening, Samuel and Peter arrived.
This time, there was no talk about bringing Hannah home.
Samuel came in angry.
Peter came in scared.
They entered the yard behind a sleigh pulled by two tired horses, and Samuel was shouting before his boots hit the ground.
"You stay away from our land."
Hannah stepped onto the porch.
Nathan came out behind her.
Samuel pointed at the house.
"You hear me? Whatever father's papers say, you don't get to come back and take what belongs to us."
Hannah stared at him.
"What are you talking about?"
"Mercer told us."
Peter looked miserable.
Samuel went on.
"Said you've been spreading claims about father's records. Said you're trying to use some unfinished note to reopen the estate."
Hannah's hands went cold.
"I never said any such thing."
"He said you'd come after the ranch."
Nathan stepped down from the porch.
Samuel looked at him.
Nathan stopped several feet away.
"This is between Hannah and you."
Samuel gave a bitter laugh.
"Then stay out of it."
Nathan did.
Hannah saw it.
The restraint cost him something.
She turned back to her brothers.
"What exactly did Mercer tell you?"