I know who you are. " Millie froze. Clara sighed. Silverton is a small town, my dear. I stitched your father's hand when he put it through a window 5 years ago. I know a Laroo when I see one.
Take it off. You are safe here. Millie slowly unwound the scarf. Clara looked at her face, noting the gauntness, the fear, and the healing bruises. Her expression softened.
Sit down, Clara said gentler. There was tea on the stove while Clara worked on Jonah's shoulder, cleaning the infection and restitching the wound with brisk, professional movements. She spoke in a low voice. You are playing a dangerous game, Jonah Crow. Clara said that shoulder is a mess.
Another week and you would have lost the arm. Jonah gritted his teeth as she poured iodine on the open flesh. What do you know about Pritchard? Jonah asked. Clara snorted.
I know he owns the bank, the mill, and the law. I know he thinks this valley is his personal kingdom, and I know that Etienne Laru did not die in a hunting accident. Millie looked up from her teacup, her hands shaking. "You know," Millie whispered. Clara tied the bandage off and wiped her hands.
"I signed the death certificate because the sheriff stood over me while I did it," Clara said, her voice bitter. "But I saw the body. A bear does not shoot a man in the back of the head before mauling him. " The room went deadly silent. "Why didn't you say anything? " Millie asked, her voice trembling with anger. Clara looked at her and her eyes were sad because I have two sons in boarding school in Denver and Pritchard told me he would ensure they never finish their term.
I am a coward. Millie, we all are. Except it seems for this fool here. She nodded at Jonah. Pritchard is telling people you stole from him.
Millie Clara continued, he says you took a map. A claim map? He has the town convinced you are a thief and a harlot. He is erasing you so that when you disappear for good, no one will ask questions. Jonah stood up, testing his arm.
It was stiff, but the pain was a dull ache now instead of a sharp fire. "Thank you, doctor," Jonah said. Clara handed him a small bottle of laudanum. "For the pain," she said. "Get her out of here, Jonah.
They are watching the roads. Pritchard has men at the pass. We are not going to the pass, Jonah said. We are going back up. Clara looked at him, then shook her head with a grim smile.
Like I said, a fool. Jonah left Millie in the doctor's office for 10 minutes while he went to the livery stable to buy a fresh cinch for his saddle. He returned to find Millie pressing her ear against the wall that separated the doctor's office from the saloon next door. She waved him over, putting a finger to her lips. through the thin wood. Voices drifted in loud and slurred with drink.