They would take copies to Marsh.
Not originals.
The originals needed protection.
Where?
Elias looked around his wrecked ranch.
Nowhere.
Mara said:
“Separate them.”
Elias frowned.
“One map with us.”
“Ledger with Samuel.”
Tomás added:
“Deeds with me.”
Elias understood.
Harrow had succeeded because he controlled centralized records.
So they would create the opposite.
No single robbery could erase everything.
They copied names by lantern light.
Elias’s wound reopened once.
Mara made him lie down.
He argued.
She threatened to tie him to the bed.
Tomás offered rope.
Elias stopped arguing.
At midnight, someone knocked.
Every weapon in the room rose.
A voice called:
“Mercer?”
Elias recognized it.
Deputy Frank Hollis.
Thirty-two.
Honest enough that Sheriff Tolliver rarely trusted him with anything important.
Elias opened the door partially.
Frank stared.
“You look terrible.”
“People keep saying.”
Frank saw Mara.
Samuel.
Tomás.
His hand moved toward his holster.
Elias stepped between them.
“Don’t.”
Frank frowned.
“What is this?”
“Complicated.”
“The sheriff says you robbed Harrow.”
“Of what?”
“Records.”
“Whose records?”
“That’s why I’m here.”
Elias studied him.
“You believe him?”
Frank looked at the destroyed house.
“I believe somebody is scared.”
“Who?”
“Harrow.”
That surprised everyone.
Frank removed his hat.
“Cal Rusk came into town demanding warrants before the sheriff even knew you were missing.”
Elias frowned.
“Too fast.”
“Exactly.”
Frank continued.
“He knew what you took.”
“I didn’t take anything from Harrow.”
“Then?”
“My brother’s trunk.”
Frank’s face changed.
“Daniel.”
“You remember him?”
“Everyone remembers Daniel.”
Elias stiffened.
“What does that mean?”
Frank looked uncomfortable.
“He came to the sheriff six years ago.”
Elias felt the room tilt.
“What?”
“Week before he died.”
“He reported Harrow?”
“Not exactly.”
“Frank.”
“He asked how to file a complaint against the land recorder.”
Elias stared.
“What happened?”
“Sheriff Tolliver told him to leave.”
“Tolliver was deputy then.”
“Yes.”
“Who was sheriff?”
“McNair.”
“Dead.”
“Yes.”
Elias swallowed.
“Did Daniel say why?”
“Forged surveys.”
Mara looked at Elias.
Frank continued.
“Daniel had a notebook.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“The one we have?”
“What does it look like?”
Elias showed him.
Frank shook his head.
“Different.”