Chapter 17 - The Hearing in Ashbury.
The authenticity of Gideon's codicil changed the room but not the crimes surrounding it.
Judge Bell made that clear before Miles's attorney could celebrate.
"A lawful inheritance does not excuse unlawful conduct."
Miles sat calmly.
"I have not asked it to."
Sheriff Cole laughed under his breath.
The judge glared at him.
"Sheriff."
Cole straightened.
"Apologies, Your Honor."
The hearing was not a criminal trial.
It was supposed to determine control of disputed Mercer property while the larger accusations moved toward a grand jury.
Nothing about it stayed simple for long.
Weller testified first.
He confirmed Gideon's signature on the codicil.
He confirmed the seal on the Vale deed.
He also confirmed that neither document had been properly recorded.
Miles's attorney smiled.
"Then the court cannot know which document Gideon intended to govern."
Weller looked miserable.
"The documents address different property."
"The Vale deed includes land."
"Yes."
"The codicil includes railroad shares."
"Yes."
"So my client can inherit shares even if Miss Vale receives Blackthorn."
"Legally, that is possible."
Clara looked at Miles.
He was not watching the judge.
He was watching Elias.
Elias noticed too.
During a recess, he spoke quietly to Clara.
"He wants the shares for a reason."
"Money?"
"Miles had money."
"Not after paying people to burn houses and kidnap witnesses."
Elias almost smiled.
"True."
Then his expression sobered.
"But the shares give voting control if combined with Silas's block."
Clara looked toward Silas.
"Would Silas sell to him?"
"Not voluntarily."
"Miles has never relied heavily on consent."
When court resumed, the Ashbury chemist testified.
He had examined the tonic sample Clara sent.
He stated that it contained an added compound inconsistent with Pike's written prescription and dangerous for a man in Elias's weakened condition.
Miles's attorney challenged the chain of custody.
"Miss Vale admits she switched bottles."
Clara took the stand.
"I replaced the bottle in Elias's room with an unopened bottle from Doctor Pike's own medical case."
"Without permission."
"Yes."
"And then Mr. Mercer improved."
"Yes."
"Convenient."
Clara looked directly at Miles.
"Very."
The courtroom laughed.
Judge Bell struck the desk.
"Order."
Peter testified about the intercepted package.
Daniel testified about Marian's final night.
Ruth testified about Pike's presence.
Jonah Reed could not testify because Jonah Reed did not legally exist.
Daniel Vale could.
When Daniel gave his real name, the room became completely silent.
People who had repeated the story of the thief Daniel Vale for nineteen years now watched the supposedly dead man swear an oath.
Clara watched her father tell the truth in public for the first time.
He did not excuse his disappearance.
He did not blame everyone else for his choices.
He simply explained what had happened.
That mattered to her more than she expected.
Then Silas took the stand.
His testimony damaged everyone, including himself.
He admitted signing the false accusation against Daniel.
He admitted hiding Gideon's codicil.
He admitted paying Miles for years to remain silent.
He admitted seeking guardianship over Elias without telling him the full truth.
Miles's attorney stood.
"Mr. Mercer, did my client ever order you to sabotage Elias's carriage?"
Silas looked at Miles.
"No."
"Did my client ever tell you he intended Elias to lose a leg?"
"No."
"Did he tell you he intended to kill Elias?"
"No."
The attorney nodded as though this helped.
Silas continued.
"He told me Elias would have an accident severe enough to delay a board vote."
The courtroom erupted.
Judge Bell demanded order again.
Elias's face went pale with rage.
Clara gripped his hand beneath the table.
Silas looked at him.
"I did not know how he planned it."
Elias pulled his hand away from Clara and addressed his uncle.
"But you knew there would be an accident."
Silas lowered his eyes.
"Yes."
The word carried more weight than all his previous admissions.
"And you said nothing."
"Yes."
Elias looked away.
Clara saw something in him close.
Silas's betrayal had finally become too large for family language.
The next witness was Charles Weller.
He expected to authenticate more documents.
Sheriff Cole had another purpose.
"Mr. Weller, did you tell Doctor Pike that Clara Vale had visited the county archive?"
Weller froze.
Miles turned toward him.
Clara noticed the movement.
Weller swallowed.
"I may have mentioned it."
"For money?"
"No."
Cole placed three bank receipts on the table.
"Then why did Harlan Pike pay you three hundred dollars over six months?"
Weller's face turned gray.
Silas stared at him.
"Charles?"
Weller began to sweat.
"Legal consultation."
Miles's attorney objected.
Judge Bell allowed the question.
Cole continued.
"Did you also provide Pike copies of Elias Mercer's private estate papers?"
Weller looked at Miles.
Miles looked back without expression.
That was enough.
Weller's shoulders collapsed.
"Yes."
Clara felt another piece fall into place.
Weller had told Miles about her archive visits.
Weller had helped with the guardianship petition.
Weller had access to the house safe.
"The bonds."
Clara said it aloud.
Cole nodded.
"Who gave Doctor Pike the bearer bonds that were planted in Miss Vale's room?"
Weller whispered.
"I did."
Silas closed his eyes.
Miles leaned forward.
"Careful, Charles."
Weller looked at him.
Fear replaced shame.
"He said no one would be hurt."
Clara almost stood.
"Everyone says that after someone is hurt."
Judge Bell ordered Weller detained for further questioning.
As deputies approached, Miles spoke.
"Before you congratulate yourselves, ask Daniel Vale about Gideon's death."
The room stopped.
Miles's attorney tried to silence him.
Miles ignored him.
"My father did not die naturally."
Elias stared.
"What are you talking about?"
Miles reached into his attorney's evidence folder and removed a copied diary page.
"Gideon wrote this two days before he died."
The clerk read the final line aloud.
IF DANIEL RETURNS, I FEAR HE WILL FINISH WHAT HE BEGAN.
Clara looked at her father.
Daniel's face had gone white.
May you like
Miles smiled.
"You cleared the wrong dead man."
