Harlan Voss rode toward the ranch with fourteen armed men and one territorial deputy marshal.<\/p>\n
The badge caught Eli\u2019s eye first.<\/p>\n
Then Voss.<\/p>\n
He did not resemble the villain Eli had imagined.<\/p>\n
He was neither huge nor scarred.<\/p>\n
He did not dress like a gunfighter.<\/p>\n
Harlan Voss appeared to be somewhere around forty-five, clean-shaven and carefully dressed in a pale shirt beneath a dark coat despite the heat.<\/p>\n
He looked like a banker.<\/p>\n
The kind of man who understood that paperwork could accomplish things bullets made unnecessarily messy.<\/p>\n
Deputy Marshal Franklin Kerr rode beside him.<\/p>\n
Eli knew Kerr.<\/p>\n
The man passed through the district a couple of times each year, delivered official notices, accepted too much whiskey, and generally tried not to become involved in local disputes.<\/p>\n
Today he looked deeply uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
Voss looked entirely at ease.<\/p>\n
They stopped at the gate.<\/p>\n
Eli stepped onto the porch by himself.<\/p>\n
Chaska had wanted to stand with him.<\/p>\n
Eli had refused.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe expects this confrontation to be about me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli met her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now he faced Voss alone.<\/p>\n
Voss smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Mercer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHarlan Voss.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe there has been some misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou received my offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBurned it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss\u2019s smile narrowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Geller\u2019s horse returned without Geller. I assumed the discussion had become more difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGeller is alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow charitable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss glanced toward the barn.<\/p>\n
Then toward the house windows.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand you have visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot enough coffee for all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will not be necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss removed a document from his coat.<\/p>\n
The deputy marshal shifted in his saddle.<\/p>\n
Voss continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am here to assume possession under an emergency lien.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cA what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour property carries outstanding obligations relating to boundaries and water infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI owe nobody anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is disputed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBy whom?\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss lifted the paper.<\/p>\n
\u201cA court.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kerr spoke uneasily.<\/p>\n
\u201cMercer, there is an order.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou read the whole thing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Kerr\u2019s eyes moved away.<\/p>\n
That was answer enough.<\/p>\n
Voss spoke pleasantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can leave this evening with your horses and your personal belongings. I have no interest in being unreasonable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli walked down from the porch.<\/p>\n
Voss watched him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnswer something for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCertainly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy put this much effort into one little ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor this property?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the first time, Voss seemed almost pleased.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt last.\u201d<\/p>\n
He dismounted.<\/p>\n
His men remained alert.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe territory is changing, Mercer. Railroads are expanding. Towns will grow. Cattle operations. Mines. The men who understand what is coming will own the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd everybody else?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will work for those men.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli nodded slowly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWater.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss\u2019s expression changed for only a fraction of a second.<\/p>\n
That was enough.<\/p>\n
Eli smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do not want my ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss remained silent.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want the spring.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy Kerr looked toward Voss.<\/p>\n
That reaction mattered.<\/p>\n
Voss lost the last trace of friendliness.<\/p>\n
\u201cI cannot imagine who has been telling you stories.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know about the trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss stopped smiling entirely.<\/p>\n
Behind Eli, the door opened.<\/p>\n
Chaska walked onto the porch.<\/p>\n
Waya followed.<\/p>\n
Then Serina.<\/p>\n
Serina carried the silver seal.<\/p>\n
Voss stared at it.<\/p>\n
For the first time, Eli saw real emotion in the man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
Fear.<\/p>\n
Brief.<\/p>\n
Controlled.<\/p>\n
But unmistakable.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou,\u201d Voss whispered.<\/p>\n
Serina looked directly at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss stared at the silver.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have no understanding of what you are holding.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother used to say that men like you often mistake knowing the price of something for understanding its value.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli almost smiled.<\/p>\n
Voss did not.<\/p>\n
He turned toward the marshal.<\/p>\n
\u201cKerr.\u201d<\/p>\n
The deputy swallowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExecute the order.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kerr reached toward the inside of his coat.<\/p>\n
Before he could produce the paperwork, Gideon stepped from the house.<\/p>\n
Voss froze.<\/p>\n
Gideon carried no weapon.<\/p>\n
Only papers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, Harlan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cPratt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBeen some time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should have remained outside this matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gideon looked briefly at Eli.<\/p>\n
\u201cFar longer than I should have.\u201d<\/p>\n
He handed the documents toward Kerr.<\/p>\n
The deputy frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are these?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe original registration copy of the 1857 valley water trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat agreement was invalidated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUsing forged transfers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProve it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Serina stepped forward with her half of the seal.<\/p>\n
Eli held the other.<\/p>\n
They placed them together.<\/p>\n
The pieces fit perfectly.<\/p>\n
The hawk became complete.<\/p>\n
Three lines representing water flowed beneath its wings.<\/p>\n
Kerr stared.<\/p>\n
Voss\u2019s jaw tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cA decorative object does not establish anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gideon nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is correct.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then Waya whistled.<\/p>\n
Hoofbeats answered from the northern ridge.<\/p>\n
Voss\u2019s men turned in their saddles.<\/p>\n
Riders appeared above the valley.<\/p>\n
Dozens of them.<\/p>\n
Not soldiers.<\/p>\n
Families.<\/p>\n
Ranchers.<\/p>\n
Apache riders.<\/p>\n
Mexican farmers.<\/p>\n
Settlers.<\/p>\n
Men and women connected to properties Voss had purchased, pressured, surveyed dishonestly, or threatened.<\/p>\n
At the front rode Judge Alvarez from Santa Fe.<\/p>\n
Voss looked at Gideon.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou arranged this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gideon shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chaska moved forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor five years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli stared at her.<\/p>\n
She met his eyes.<\/p>\n
This was another part she had never mentioned.<\/p>\n
The search for Eli had never been simply gratitude.<\/p>\n
It was about building the alliance before anybody understood how badly they would need it.<\/p>\n
Voss laughed again.<\/p>\n
This time no confidence accompanied the sound.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou believe farmers and Indians gathering in a field alters property law?\u201d<\/p>\n
Judge Alvarez dismounted.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone looked at him.<\/p>\n
He held up a leather portfolio.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut authenticated records of fraud do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss went still.<\/p>\n
The judge continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour former bookkeeper has spent the last six months providing copies of falsified deeds, fraudulent liens, and payments made to public surveyors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss\u2019s eyes sharpened.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy former bookkeeper?\u201d<\/p>\n
A voice sounded from behind the group of riders.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, Mr. Voss.\u201d<\/p>\n
A thin man rode forward.<\/p>\n
Geller.<\/p>\n
The same enforcer Eli had captured.<\/p>\n
His hands were no longer tied.<\/p>\n
Eli stared.<\/p>\n
Geller appeared vaguely embarrassed.<\/p>\n
\u201cLong story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss\u2019s face twisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geller shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you my father was not present when Samuel Mercer was shot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli looked at Chaska.<\/p>\n
She appeared just as surprised.<\/p>\n
Geller continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy father was the man who got Samuel out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence.<\/p>\n
Voss looked murderous.<\/p>\n
Geller smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe worked for your father until he realized Elias intended to control every useful well from here to the northern mesas. Then he changed sides. Spent the rest of his life wishing he had done it sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew about my father.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew about the letters.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou allowed us to capture you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geller winced.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was hoping your aim might be slightly worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Waya spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone looked at her.<\/p>\n
Chaska frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe surrendered too easily.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geller looked offended.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was surrounded.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou talk excessively when nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was buying time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou still talk excessively.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss suddenly drew his revolver.<\/p>\n
Everything moved.<\/p>\n
His riders reached for weapons.<\/p>\n
Kerr shouted.<\/p>\n
Waya raised her bow.<\/p>\n
Eli\u2019s hand went toward his holster.<\/p>\n
But Chaska stood closest.<\/p>\n
She did not draw a weapon.<\/p>\n
She stepped between Voss and Eli.<\/p>\n
Voss raised the revolver.<\/p>\n
Then stopped.<\/p>\n
Judge Alvarez had his own gun leveled.<\/p>\n
So did Deputy Kerr.<\/p>\n
So did half the ranchers behind them.<\/p>\n
Voss\u2019s hired riders took one look at the numbers and made what was probably the wisest decision of their lives.<\/p>\n
Their weapons lowered.<\/p>\n
Harlan Voss stood alone.<\/p>\n
His hand shook.<\/p>\n
Eli studied him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll those years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss breathed heavily.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll that property.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do not understand what this valley could become.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRail lines. Industry. Towns.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou would waste that opportunity on livestock and people who do not even understand the value beneath them?\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli looked toward Chaska.<\/p>\n
Then toward the gathered families.<\/p>\n
Children.<\/p>\n
Old men.<\/p>\n
Women.<\/p>\n
People Voss had reduced to obstacles because obstacles never had to give consent.<\/p>\n
Eli turned back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that is where you and I are different.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voss sneered.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look at land and ask what can be taken from it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli\u2019s voice was quiet.<\/p>\n
\u201c They taught me to ask who will still need it after I am gone. \u201d<\/p>\n
Voss finally lowered the gun.<\/p>\n
Kerr took it from him.<\/p>\n
The confrontation ended without another shot.<\/p>\n
For several seconds nobody seemed certain what they should do next.<\/p>\n
Then Judge Alvarez approached Eli.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Mercer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou and these three women will need to present yourselves in Santa Fe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chaska frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow would be inconvenient.\u201d<\/p>\n
The judge looked at the crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suggest next week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laughter spread through the people gathered around the ranch.<\/p>\n
Eli looked toward the porch.<\/p>\n
The house.<\/p>\n
Calico.<\/p>\n
The cottonwoods.<\/p>\n
Then Chaska.<\/p>\n
She was watching him.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo,\u201d Eli said, \u201cthat was your proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chaska shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli blinked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the proposal?\u201d<\/p>\n
Chaska looked at Serina.<\/p>\n
Serina smiled.<\/p>\n
Waya rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli looked among them.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Chaska came closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason we began searching for you before we learned Voss was moving directly against you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli waited.<\/p>\n
Chaska extended her hand.<\/p>\n
Not like a lover.<\/p>\n
Like someone making an agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cStand with us as the fourth keeper of the valley trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli looked at her outstretched hand.<\/p>\n
Then beyond her at the dozens of people who had come.<\/p>\n
He thought about nearly twenty years spent convincing himself strength meant needing no one.<\/p>\n
He thought about Samuel hiding.<\/p>\n
Aiyana living between worlds.<\/p>\n
Three frightened women running through a canyon.<\/p>\n
And one young cowboy foolish enough to ride toward the screams because riding away felt worse.<\/p>\n
He took Chaska\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The crowd erupted.<\/p>\n
Eli grimaced.<\/p>\n
\u201cI preferred it when nobody knew who I was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Serina laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat part of your life is finished.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eli believed the story had finally reached its ending.<\/p>\n
It had not.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chapter 8: THE MAN WHO BELIEVED EVERYTHING HAD A PRICE Harlan Voss rode toward the ranch with fourteen armed men and one territorial deputy marshal. The badge caught Eli\u2019s eye first. Then Voss. He did not resemble the villain Eli had imagined. He was neither huge nor scarred. He did not dress like a gunfighter. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","class_list":["post-814","sr_chapter","type-sr_chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/fantatv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/sr_chapter\/814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/fantatv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/sr_chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/fantatv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/sr_chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fantatv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fantatv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=814"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/fantatv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/sr_chapter\/814\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/fantatv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}