She insisted she was fine, and Ethan had learned not to argue. The journey took 5 days. They traveled slowly, avoiding patrols, staying off the main roads. When they finally saw Prescott in the distance, its buildings shimmering in the heat haze, Ethan felt his stomach tighten. This was it.
No going back. They rode into town in the late afternoon, drawing stares from everyone they passed. A white man and a pregnant Apache woman, dusty from travel, heavily armed. It wasn't a common sight. Ethan headed straight for the courthouse, a squat brick building at the center of town.
He dismounted, helped Ayla down, and walked inside. The clerk behind the desk looked up, his eyes widening. "Can I help you?" "I need to see the territorial judge. Now."
Judge Harrison is in session. He can't be disturbed. Ethan pulled the leather pouch from his coat and dropped it on the desk. Tell him Ethan Cross is here with evidence of war crimes committed by Colonel Thaddeus Vance. Tell him if he doesn't see me in the next 5 minutes, I'm going to stand on the courthouse steps and read these letters to every person in this town.
And then I'm going to send copies to every newspaper from here to Washington. The clerk stared at the pouch like it might explode. Then he scrambled to his feet and disappeared through a door. 3 minutes later, Judge Harrison appeared. He was an older man, gray-haired and dignified, with sharp eyes that missed nothing.
"Mr. Cross, I've heard about you. Come in." They sat in his chambers, a wood-paneled room lined with law books. Harrison read through the letters slowly, his expression growing darker with each page. When he finished, he set them down and looked at Ethan.
"These are serious accusations." If true, they implicate not just Vance, but several other officers, members of the territorial government. They're true. I can testify to it. So can others.
Do you understand what you're asking? Opening this investigation will make you enemies, powerful enemies. I've already got enemies. At least this way they'll have to fight me in court instead of in the dark. Harrison studied him for a long moment.
Then he looked at Ayla. And you, ma'am? You're willing to testify as well? I am. Ayla said quietly.
My people have suffered under Vance's orders. We deserve justice, too. Justice is a difficult thing to deliver in the territories, especially when it involves the military. "Then make it easy," Ethan said. "Do the right thing."
Harrison was quiet. Then he nodded. I'll convene a grand jury. We'll review the evidence, hear testimony. If there's enough to proceed, I'll issue indictments.
He stood. But I need you to understand, this won't be quick. And it won't be safe. The men implicated in these letters will do everything they can to silence you. Let them try.