Chapter 5 - What Samuel Saw
Samuel collapsed before reaching the kitchen.
Elias carried him to the table.
Catherine cleaned the wound along his ribs while Caleb sat nearby.
For once, neither brother argued.
Samuel eventually opened his eyes.
"Vale."
Catherine waited.
Samuel confessed everything.
Three years earlier he had discovered the silver survey.
He believed Thomas intended to give Catherine a fortune while leaving his sons nothing.
Vale found Samuel drinking in Pine Creek and encouraged that belief.
He offered money.
He promised Samuel and Caleb shares of the mine.
Samuel confronted his father.
They fought.
But Samuel hadn't poisoned him.
He had returned later that night to apologize.
Through the kitchen window he saw Vale pouring something into Thomas's medicine.
Samuel had remained silent because Vale threatened Caleb.
"And you let me believe Papa died naturally."
Samuel cried.
"I was a coward."
Catherine wanted to hate him.
Part of her did.
"You attacked me."
Samuel looked down.
"Because Vale told us the trust papers were hidden here. He said if we didn't find them, he'd collect every dollar we owed him."
Caleb spoke.
"We thought we'd scare you into signing the land over."
"You nearly broke my shoulder."
Caleb's eyes filled.
"I know."
Catherine couldn't forgive them.
Not yet.
But now she understood.
Elias asked the important question.
"Can you prove Vale poisoned your father?"
Samuel nodded.
"Papa knew."
Everyone stared.
"He caught Vale leaving. The next morning Papa gave me something. Told me if Vale ever returned, take it to Dalton."
"What?"
Samuel looked toward the hearth.
Catherine removed a loose stone.
Behind it was a sealed glass vial and a letter.
Dalton arrived that evening.
The letter named Vale.
The vial contained residue from Thomas's medicine.
It might be enough.
But Vale had disappeared.
For three days they searched.
Then Catherine received a message.
A boy from Pine Creek delivered it.
Come to the old Miller mill alone.
Bring the trust documents.
Or Caleb dies before midnight.
Catherine looked up.
Caleb's chair was empty.
May you like
The back door stood open.
And drops of blood led into the forest.
