Helen's voice shook.
“He has kept documents from several old accounts. Some were paid years ago.”
Mara looked up.
“Why?”
“Land.”
Helen swallowed.
“Men who cannot produce releases become frightened. Frightened men sell cheaply.”
Elias looked toward the mountains.
Red Willow Ranch had three springs, good grazing, and a road expected to become important when the rail line expanded farther north.
Gideon did not want repayment.
He wanted the property.
“Why bring this to us?” Elias asked.
Helen looked at Mara.
“Because I heard how people laughed when she arrived.”
Mara said nothing.
“I laughed too.”
Helen's face tightened.
“Not aloud.”
She looked down.
“Sometimes cowardice is quiet.”
The wind moved through the cottonwoods.
Helen continued.
“I have been married to Gideon for twenty-six years. I told myself his business was not mine. I told myself asking questions would only create trouble.”
Her voice hardened.
“Then I realized peace bought with somebody else's suffering is not peace.”
Mara unfolded the document again.
“Do you know where the original is?”
Helen nodded.
“Yes.”
“Can you get it?”
Helen looked toward the road.
“I already have.”
She reached inside her cloak and removed another envelope.
Elias stared at her.
Helen handed it over.
Then she remounted.
“Do not tell him I came until you are ready.”
Elias stepped forward.
“Helen.”
She paused.
“Thank you.”
She looked almost angry.
“Don't thank me for doing late what I should have done early.”
Then she rode away.
Beatrice appeared in the doorway holding coffee.
“Well.”
Nobody spoke.
She looked at the document in Mara's hand.
“I assume that expression means somebody important has finally decided to tell the truth.”
Mara nodded.
Beatrice took a drink.
“Dangerous habit.”
Elias looked at Mara.
She was already studying dates and witness names.
“What are you thinking?”
“We need statements from anyone who remembers the original payment.”
“You believe this can stop Voss?”
“I believe paper is useful.”
She glanced at him.
“People are easier to bully than records.”
Elias looked at the Omaha envelope still in her other hand.
“And your case?”
Mara met his eyes.
“Needs witnesses too.”
For a moment neither spoke.
Then Mara said, “If you want me gone after this, I will go.”
Elias's face changed.
“We aren't discussing that now.”