That is stolen property. Pritchard shouted. He lunged forward. That is mine. He grabbed for the book in the judge's hands.
The judge pulled back. Pritchard in a panic shoved the judge. Jonah moved. He threw himself between Pritchard and the judge, using his body as a barrier. "Burn it! " Pritchard screamed to his men, "Grab it and burn it! " Two of Pritchard's hired hands, men dressed as civilians, rushed the steps.
One of them swung a heavy walking stick, striking Jonah across the head. Jonah staggered. Blood running into his eye, but he did not step back. He wrapped his arms around the documents, curling his body around the truth. He took another blow to the ribs.
He grunted but stayed standing. "Order! " the judge bellowed. "I will have order. " Sheriff Cable stood frozen, watching his patron assault a federal judge. The authority he wielded began to wobble. The blacksmith, Matteo, stepped out of the crowd, then another miner, then the shopkeeper.
They didn't attack, but they formed a wall at the bottom of the steps. The town had seen enough. Pritchard fell back, panting, his face twisted in ugly rage. Jonah straightened up. He wiped the blood from his eye.
He handed the loose papers to the judge. "These are the timber thefts," Jonah said, his voice steady. And the dates of the bribes paid to the sheriff. Judge Thaddius opened the ledger. He read the entry.
He looked at the sheriff. "Sheriff Cable," the judge said, his voice like grinding stones. "You are relieved of duty pending a federal inquiry. " He looked at Pritchard. "And you, sir, will not leave this town. " Pritchard laughed. It was a desperate sound.
"You have the word of a dead crazy man and a half-breed girl against mine. " Pritchard sneered. "Who will testify to this? Who? I will. " The voice came from the back of the crowd. A small man in ink-stained sleeves pushed his way forward.
It was Henry, the bookkeeper from the sawmill. He looked terrified. He was shaking like a leaf, but he walked up the steps. "I will testify," Henry said softly. "I recognize the ledger.
I I falsified the company books to match those numbers. " ""Mister Pritchard told me to—" The judge looked at Pritchard. "Issue the warrants. "" he said to the deputies who were now looking at the sheriff with confusion. Pritchard's face turned a color Jonah had never seen, a deep violaceous red. His mask was gone. The smooth businessman was gone.
You think you can take me? Pritchard spat. He turned his eyes on Jonah. You believe this man? Pritchard shouted to the crowd.