Chapter 2 - THE THREE COINS WERE A SIGNAL
The riders passed the boulder without seeing them.
Barely.
Clara heard leather creak.
A horse snort.
One rider curse at the mud.
Elias pressed one hand against the stone and waited until the lantern glow faded.
Then he pulled Clara deeper into the forest.
She followed because the alternative had become worse.
They moved for nearly an hour before reaching a narrow ravine where an old trapper’s shelter leaned beneath the trees.
Inside, Elias lit no lamp.
Only a tiny candle shielded behind an iron stove.
Clara stood against the wall, shivering.
“You bought me.”
“No.”
“I saw the coins.”
“They weren’t payment to me.”
“My mother gave you three silver coins.”
Elias reached into his pocket.
Then opened his hand.
The coins were there.
Clara stared.
“You took them.”
“I had to.”
“Why?”
“Because three coins meant the transfer was complete.”
“What transfer?”
Elias looked toward the door.
Then back at her.
“Your mother has been dealing with men from the Hollow Ridge Company.”
Clara had heard the name.
A mining company.
Timber too.
Freight.
Half the valley worked for them.
Elias continued.
“They use old silver trade tokens when they don’t want money traced.”
Clara’s stomach tightened.
“The riders?”
“Company men.”
“What do they want with me?”
Elias did not answer immediately.
That frightened her.
“Tell me.”
He looked at her.
“They think you have something.”
“I don’t.”
“They think you do.”
“What?”
“A ledger.”
Clara almost laughed.
“I don’t even know what ledger you mean.”
May you like
Elias nodded slowly.
“That may be why you’re still alive.”
