“When Caleb supposedly died.”

Jack looked almost amused.

“Father discovered the theft. So did Elias Harper. They planned to turn me over to the marshal.”

Evelyn felt sick.

“What happened?”

“An unfortunate bridge collapse.”

Boone’s face filled with hatred.

“You cut the supports.”

Jack shrugged.

“Samuel died. Elias survived.”

Dawson whispered, “My father…”

“Was weak.”

Jack’s voice hardened.

“He would have given everything to Harper eventually.”

Evelyn looked at the letter.

“So my father left.”

“I explained the situation.”

“You threatened his children.”

Jack smiled.

“You and Thomas were very small.”

Rage flooded Evelyn so violently she shook.

“You destroyed my family.”

“No.”

His voice softened.

“Your father did that himself by being stubborn.”

Dawson lunged.

The gunshot shook the cabin.

Dawson crashed into the wall.

Blood spread across his shoulder.

Evelyn screamed.

Boone drew.

A second gunshot exploded.

Boone dropped to one knee.

Jack stepped backward outside.

Three armed riders emerged from the darkness.

“Bring the book,” Jack said.

Evelyn pressed herself against the wall.

“I don’t have it.”

Jack smiled.

“I know.”

He tapped his coat.

Evelyn’s blood froze.

He had stolen it before they left Thorn Ridge.

“Thank you for finding your mother’s letter.”

Jack’s gaze lowered to the page in Evelyn’s hands.

“I’d wondered whether she ever told Thomas.”

“Where is he?”

“Alive.”

“For now?”

“That depends on you.”

Jack mounted his horse.

“Come back to Thorn Ridge.”

Then he disappeared into the night.

Boone’s wound was shallow.

Dawson’s was worse.

Evelyn packed the bullet wound with clean cloth and forced him to remain at the cabin while she and Boone rode after Jack.

“You can’t go,” Dawson argued.

“My brother is there.”

“So is a murderer.”

Evelyn tied her coat.

“Then he’d better pray Thomas is alive.”

Dawson almost laughed.

Instead he winced.

“You really are Elias Harper’s daughter.”

Boone and Evelyn reached Thorn Ridge shortly before dawn.

Snow had begun falling.

The first snow of winter.

Her mother’s note returned to her.

Third stone. North wall. When the ridge turns white.

They entered through the kitchen.

The place was empty.

The floor panel beneath the kneading table stood open.

Boone lifted his rifle.

“He found it.”

They descended.

The stairs led into a tunnel beneath the ranch house.

At the bottom stood a brick chamber.

Jack was waiting.

So was Gideon Vale.

And Thomas.

Evelyn stopped.

Her brother sat tied to a chair.

His face was bruised but he was alive.

“Evie.”

She rushed forward.

Jack raised his pistol.

“Not yet.”

Vale looked furious.

“You idiot.”

Evelyn stared at the banker.

“You’re working together.”

Vale snapped, “I am most certainly not.”

Jack laughed.

“Mr. Vale has spent two years trying to discover why his bank holds fraudulent mortgages.”

Vale removed his spectacles.

“My father’s seal was stolen twenty years ago. Someone has been issuing false notes through shell companies.”