That changed Vane’s face.
Very slightly.
Samuel saw.
“You remember Miriam.”
“Of course.”
“You offered to buy my south acreage two weeks before she died.”
Vane laughed.
“Half the valley knew you were failing.”
“Six years ago?”
Vane said nothing.
Samuel walked to the barn.
He pulled Miriam’s notebook from his saddlebag.
Vane saw it.
All the color seemed to leave his face.
Not much.
Enough.
Elena noticed too.
Samuel held it up.
“She kept records.”
Vane smiled again.
“Your dead wife scribbling theories does not make them law.”
“No.”
A voice came from behind Samuel.
Elena’s uncle stepped forward.
He spoke.
Elena translated.
“He says law begins with witnesses.”
Vane looked at her.
“How many?”
Elena turned toward the ridge.
Hundreds of riders.
Samuel almost laughed.
Vane did not.
The deputy shifted uncomfortably.
“What exactly are they witnesses to?”
Elena answered:
“Water before the dam.”
“Construction.”
“Broken Crown cattle drinking from diverted flow.”
“Men moving boundary posts.”
Vane’s eyes hardened.
“Apache testimony?”
The question carried enough contempt without needing any slur.
Samuel stepped forward.
“You asked how many.”
Vane looked at him.
Samuel continued.
“You didn’t ask what color their skin had to be before truth counted.”
Price muttered:
“Jesus, Sam.”
“No.”
Samuel pointed toward the hills.
“That is the whole damn problem.”
Vane’s smile returned.
“Careful.”
Samuel laughed.
“You rode onto my land with twelve armed men.”
“I came with a deputy.”
“You brought a deputy like furniture.”
Price looked offended.
Vane ignored him.
“You think these people will protect you?”
Samuel glanced toward Elena.
“No.”
Then toward the hundreds behind him.
“I think I’m standing where they asked permission to stand.”
Elena heard.
Her expression changed.
Vane leaned closer.
“You have no idea what you’re joining.”
Samuel looked at him.
“I’m not joining anyone.”
He pointed north.
“I want my water back.”
That was simpler.
Land.
Water.
Records.
Facts.
Vane could attack Samuel’s loyalties.
Harder to argue with a dry creek.
Deputy Price dismounted.
“I need to see the structure.”
Vane’s head snapped toward him.
“No, you don’t.”
Price stared.
“What?”
“You came here to disperse trespassers.”
“I came because you said there was an armed threat.”
He looked around.
Children sat beneath Samuel’s porch.
Women filled containers.
An old man repaired a bridle.
Nobody advancing.
Price’s expression hardened.