His muscles tightened beneath her fingers, but he never pulled away. "My brother died in Bear Creek. " he said quietly. "A rich man shot him then paid witnesses to blame me. " Clara tied the bandage. "Did you kill anyone? " "The sheriffs who came for me never returned. " Her hand stopped. Before Silas could explain, the warning bell outside began ringing.
Someone had crossed his trap line. He reached for his rifle, but the wound bent him double. Clara opened the door and saw six lanterns climbing the mountain. Sheriff's badges shown beneath them. At the front rode Warren Whitmore himself.
Warren climbed from his saddle wearing the same black coat Clara had last seen in Denver. Snow touched his polished boots. He looked toward her as if the mountain, the rifle in her hands, and Silas beside her were temporary mistakes. "Come here, Clara. " She remained on the porch. The gray-haired sheriff raised a paper.
Warren Whitmore has reported stolen money and desertion. We are taking you both to Bear Creek. "Both? " Clara asked. Warren's mouth curved. "Creed murdered Sheriff Amos Bell seven years ago. " Silas stepped outside, one hand pressed against his wounded ribs.
"Bell killed my brother. " The deputies lifted their rifles. Clara moved between them and Silas. "Then let him finish. " Warren laughed softly. "Still making scenes. This is why no decent home could hold you. " Clara's thumb pulled back the rifle hammer.
The sound erased his smile. Silas told the story without raising his voice. Amos Bell had accepted money from a cattle owner after that man shot Silas's brother during a land dispute. Bell burned a witness statement and came up the mountain to kill Silas. They fought beside Raven Gorge.
Bell fired twice. The second shot broke the ice beneath his own boots and he fell into the river below. "His body was never found," the sheriff said. "His badge was. " Silas pointed toward the cabin. "Along with his account book. " Warren's face changed.
Clara saw it. "You knew about the book. " Silas nodded. "Bell listed every man who paid him. Theodore Ashford was one of them. " The sheriff ordered a deputy to search the cabin. Warren caught his arm.
"You have a signed warrant. You don't need mountain lies. " The sheriff looked at Warren's hand until he released him. Minutes later, the deputy returned carrying a rusted badge and a leather ledger wrapped in oilcloth. The sheriff opened it beneath his lantern. Names and payments filled the pages.
Near the end appeared Warren Whitmore followed by a payment dated 6 weeks earlier. The sheriff read the reason aloud. Locate wife. Recover account papers. Silence if needed.