Chapter 13 - The Death Certificate.
Clara picked up the paper before anyone else could.
The lantern shook in the wind above her.
The document was a certified copy of Marian Mercer's death record.
Doctor Harlan Pike's name appeared as attending physician.
Below it, on the witness line, was a signature Clara knew from old school records and family letters.
Daniel Vale.
Her father.
"No."
The word escaped before she could stop it.
Miles watched her.
"Your father was at Blackthorn the night Marian died."
Silas looked stunned.
"That is impossible."
Miles laughed.
"You said the same thing about me."
Elias turned toward Silas.
"Did you know?"
"No."
For once, Silas answered without hesitation.
Clara looked at Jonah.
He had gone pale.
"You knew."
Jonah's eyes met hers.
"Clara, not here."
Her heart began hammering.
"You knew."
The freight train roared closer through the dark.
Sheriff Cole stepped toward Miles.
"We can discuss family records after you are in custody."
Miles backed onto the maintenance walkway.
"I do not think so."
Cole raised his revolver.
"Stop."
Miles turned and ran along the platform.
The train thundered past between the station and the southern field.
Steam and noise swallowed everything.
By the time the last car cleared, Miles was gone.
One deputy found a service ladder descending into the drainage cut.
Another found a horse tethered beyond the tracks.
Miles had planned his escape before sending the note.
Sheriff Cole sent men after him.
Clara barely noticed.
She stared at Daniel Vale's signature.
Jonah stood several feet away.
"Tell me."
Her voice was quiet.
He looked toward Elias.
"Your father was not responsible for Marian's death."
"That was not my question."
"He signed as a witness because Gideon forced him to."
Clara stepped closer.
"You said Daniel disappeared nineteen years ago."
"He did."
"Marian died eleven years ago."
Jonah said nothing.
Clara felt the contradiction like a door opening.
"Then Daniel came back."
"Yes."
"You knew."
"Yes."
"How?"
Jonah looked away.
"Because he contacted me."
Clara's eyes burned.
"When?"
"Years later."
"And you never told my mother?"
"She was already dead."
Clara flinched.
"You never told me."
Jonah's voice grew rough.
"He asked me not to."
"Why?"
"Because Gideon's people were still looking for him."
"Gideon is dead."
"Now."
Clara shook the death certificate.
"Why did he return the night Marian died?"
Jonah looked at the paper.
"Marian sent for him."
Elias stared.
"My mother knew Daniel Vale?"
"Better than you were ever told."
Jonah's answer shifted the night again.
"Marian discovered Gideon's theft after Daniel was framed."
"She wanted to clear him."
"Yes."
Jonah nodded.
"She found copies of the original accounts."
Clara looked toward the dark station.
"And called Daniel back."
"He came secretly."
"Then Pike arrived."
Jonah's jaw tightened.
"Yes."
Elias spoke slowly.
"Miles was already living as Harlan Pike."
"He had returned months earlier."
"Did he kill my mother?"
Jonah looked at Elias.
"I do not know."
Silas whispered.
"I do."
Everyone turned.
Silas sat on the platform bench.
His face looked older than the station itself.
"Marian threatened to expose Gideon, Miles, and me."
Elias's expression changed.
"What happened?"
Silas swallowed.
"Miles gave her a sedative."
Clara watched him.
"And?"
"She became ill."
"Did he intend that?"
Silas rubbed both hands over his face.
"I never knew."
Elias stepped closer on his crutches.
"And you did nothing."
"I sent for another doctor."
"Too late."
"Yes."
Elias's eyes were full of quiet fury.
Silas looked at Clara.
"Daniel arrived before dawn."
"Why did he sign the certificate?"
"Because Miles threatened to tell the sheriff Daniel had returned to commit murder."
Clara felt sick.
"So my father signed another lie to survive."
"Yes."
The pattern was unbearable.
Every person in the story had been forced to carry someone else's version of the truth.
Sheriff Cole returned from the tracks.
"Miles got away."
No one seemed surprised.
Cole looked at the document in Clara's hands.
"We need Daniel Vale if he is alive."
Clara looked at Jonah.
"Where is he?"
Jonah met her eyes.
For one long moment, she thought he might finally answer.
May you like
Instead, he said something worse.
"Closer than you think."
