“My Father Sent Me In My Sister’s Place,” She Said… “Get In The Wagon,” Was His Reply
Chapter 9
Samuel traveled to town.
He visited the judge.
The judge refused to help.
He visited the sheriff.
The sheriff told him to forget Whitlock.
Then Samuel went to the newspaper office.
The editor read the documents.
His face changed.
“This could destroy Whitlock.”
“That’s the idea.”
“You’ll need witnesses.”
Samuel nodded.
“We have them.”
He returned to the ranch.
Eliza was waiting.
“Where are we going?”
“To find your sister.”
“My sister?”
“She knows something.”
“How?”
Samuel pointed to the letter.
“The final witness.”
They rode east.
They found her living under another name in a small settlement.
Her name was Margaret.
She cried when she saw Eliza.
“I thought Father sent you to die.”
Eliza embraced her.
“He did.”
Margaret looked at Samuel.
“Did he tell you why?”
“No.”
“He owed Whitlock nothing.”
Samuel frowned.
“What?”
“Father was working with him.”
Eliza stared.
Margaret continued.
“He helped Whitlock forge the land records.”
Samuel felt sick.
Their own father had helped destroy them.
But Margaret wasn’t finished.
“He changed his mind.”
“When?”
“After Mother died.”
She lowered her voice.
“Father stole the original ledger.”
Samuel looked at Eliza.
“Where?”
Margaret shook her head.
“He never told me.”
Then she remembered.
“There was one place.”
