Chapter 8 - The Lie She Carried.
Clara carried the ledger back to Elias with both hands.
She felt as though she were carrying her entire childhood between its covers.
"My father may be alive."
The words sounded impossible when spoken aloud.
Elias read the note himself.
"Six months ago."
Clara nodded.
"Someone believed Daniel Vale was alive six months ago."
Jonah sat near the fire, his face unreadable.
Clara looked at him.
"You worked for my father once."
Jonah's eyes lifted.
"Years ago."
"Did you know?"
"Know what?"
"That he might still be alive."
Jonah looked away.
Clara's heart began to beat faster.
"Jonah."
"I heard rumors."
"What rumors?"
"That Daniel escaped before Gideon's men could take him to jail."
Clara stepped closer.
"My mother was told he drowned in the Potomac."
"No body was found."
"Everyone knew that."
"Not everyone believed the same story."
Clara struggled to keep her voice steady.
"Why did no one tell us?"
Jonah's eyes were full of something she could not name.
"Because sometimes a man stays dead to keep his family alive."
The answer angered her more than silence.
"Do not speak to me in riddles."
Elias interrupted gently.
"Clara."
She turned.
"No."
Her voice broke.
"I came into this house under a false name because my mother died believing my father abandoned us."
She pointed at the ledger.
"Now I learn he may have lived, and everyone speaks as though secrets are a form of protection."
Elias said nothing.
Clara faced him.
"I lied to you."
"I know."
"You knew my name, not my purpose."
She forced herself to continue.
"I came to Blackthorn to find evidence against your family."
Elias's expression remained still.
"I copied keys."
Ruth looked surprised.
"I searched the study before your accident."
Elias's eyes sharpened.
"You searched it?"
"Yes."
"Did you take my father's letter?"
"No."
"Did you see it?"
"No."
The answer came cleanly.
Elias studied her.
"Then someone else searched after you."
Clara nodded.
"I should have told you sooner."
"Yes."
She flinched.
"You have the right to send me away."
Elias gave a tired laugh.
"Into a house where Pike has already imprisoned one witness?"
"That is not forgiveness."
"No."
He met her eyes.
"It is survival."
A pounding came from downstairs.
Ruth went to the window.
"Sheriff."
Clara felt dread before anyone spoke.
Five minutes later, Sheriff Abram Cole entered with two deputies and Silas behind him.
Pike was not present.
The sheriff removed his hat.
"Miss Vale, I have a warrant to search your room."
Clara stared at Silas.
"For what?"
"Theft of estate documents."
Silas's expression was grim.
"A packet of bearer bonds is missing from the office safe."
Clara laughed in disbelief.
"You think I stole them."
"I think someone did."
The sheriff looked uncomfortable.
"I have to follow the warrant."
Elias tried to sit higher.
"This is my house."
Cole nodded respectfully.
"And the warrant was issued on sworn testimony before the county clerk."
"Whose testimony?"
Silas answered.
"Doctor Pike's."
The deputies searched Clara's small room.
They found nothing in the wardrobe.
Nothing in the washstand.
Nothing beneath the mattress.
Then one deputy opened the bottom drawer of her sewing chest.
Inside lay a leather packet stamped MERCER RAIL COMPANY.
Clara went cold.
"That is not mine."
The deputy opened it.
Bearer bonds filled the packet.
Silas closed his eyes.
The sheriff looked at Clara with regret.
"Miss Vale, I have to take you into custody."
Elias's voice cut across the room.
"No."
Cole faced him.
"I do not have discretion here."
"Then I will testify that the evidence was planted."
"Can you prove it?"
Elias looked toward Clara.
He could not.
The sheriff allowed Clara to remain at Blackthorn under guard until morning because of the flooded road.
She was locked in a small guest room near the servants' stairs.
Ruth slipped her supper through the door after midnight.
"Do not eat the soup."
Clara looked up.
"Why?"
Ruth's face was pale.
"Pike came back."
"Where is he?"
"With Elias."
Clara stood so fast the chair fell backward.
"What is he giving him?"
"I do not know."
Ruth pushed something beneath the door.
It was a thin iron key.
"Where did you get this?"
"Jonah."
Clara unlocked the door.
The corridor was empty.
She ran upstairs.
Elias's door was open.
Pike stood beside the bed holding a glass.
Elias lay motionless.
Clara crossed the room and knocked the glass from Pike's hand.
It shattered on the floor.
Pike turned slowly.
"You are becoming tiresome."
Clara looked at Elias.
"What did you give him?"
Pike smiled.
"Exactly what the court will expect a feverish, unstable man to receive."
Then Elias's hand moved beneath the blanket.
May you like
He was awake.
And the pistol was pointed directly at Pike.
