He Came to Redstone to Forget His Past — Then a Dying Sheriff Whispered His Father’s Name
CHAPTER 4
The fire destroyed Samuel’s home.
No one died.
But the message was clear.
They weren’t dealing with random violence.
Someone wanted the Mercers gone.
Caleb began investigating.
The railroad was buying land around Redstone.
Cheaply.
Very cheaply.
Families were being pressured to sell.
Those who refused were attacked.
Those who resisted disappeared.
Clara had been investigating the same thing.
She showed Caleb a collection of newspaper clippings.
“Every family that disappeared owned land near the future railroad route.”
Caleb looked at the map.
The pattern was obvious.
“Who owns the railroad?”
“Gideon Pike.”
Caleb recognized the name.
“Respectable man.”
“That’s what everyone says.”
That evening, Pike invited Caleb to dinner.
He was polite.
Educated.
Generous.
“I admire what your family is trying to do.”
Caleb smiled.
“Then stop funding Crowe.”
Pike laughed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Caleb leaned closer.
“Then why do your railroad rifles have military markings?”
Pike’s smile faded.
“Be careful.”
Caleb stood.
“That’s a warning?”
“No.”
Pike looked toward the window.
“That’s advice.”
Later that night, Caleb found an old document.
His father’s signature.
A land transfer.
Signed twenty years ago.
But the document was dated after his father’s supposed death.
Caleb stared.
His father might not have died when everyone believed.
Someone had forged his signature.
Or…
someone had kept him alive.
He looked at Doc.
“What do you know?”
Doc’s smile disappeared.
“More than I’d like.”
