Chapter 6 - The Outlaw and the JudgeTerritorial Judge Horace Weller arrived in Blackwater two weeks later.
Silas filed ownership claims immediately.
Chloe countered.
For the first time in her life, she entered a courtroom.
Men laughed when she spoke.
A woman owning strategic railroad property offended certain sensibilities.
Judge Weller barely hid his contempt.
“You expect this court to accept that a saloon girl inherited eighty acres worth perhaps two hundred thousand dollars?”
Chloe stood.
“I expect the court to accept a legal deed.”
“A deed you conveniently cannot produce.”
“It was stolen.”
“By whom?”
“Silas Creed.”
Laughter.
Silas sat across the courtroom wearing an expensive suit.
Dominic sat behind Chloe.
He said nothing.
The judge looked at him.
“Mr. Moretti, your presence is unnecessary.”
Dominic replied calmly:
“I enjoy legal education.”
More laughter.
Judge Weller did not smile.
The hearing continued.
Creed produced a forged deed claiming Thomas Bennett sold the land seven years earlier.
Chloe appeared finished.
Then Dominic called a witness.
Old Callahan.
The saloon proprietor walked forward carrying an ancient ledger.
Thomas Bennett had signed the ledger the night before his death.
Beside his signature was a handwritten note:
Refused Creed’s offer again. Land stays with Eleanor and Chloe.
The courtroom erupted.
Judge Weller recessed.
That evening, someone shot Old Callahan.
He survived.
Barely.
Chloe sat beside his hospital bed.
“This happened because of me.”
Callahan shook his head.
“No, girl.”
His voice was weak.
“Happened because bad men expect good people to stay frightened.”
Those words changed something inside her.
The next morning, Chloe walked into court wearing black.
No trembling.
No lowered eyes.
No invisibility.
When Judge Weller attempted to dismiss the ledger, she stood.
“Your Honor, may I ask something?”
“No.”
She continued anyway.
“How much did Silas Creed pay you?”
Silence.
Judge Weller turned purple.
Dominic almost smiled.
“You are in contempt!”
“Probably.”
“You will be jailed!”
“Then jail me.”
She placed documents on the table.
Bank transfers.
Leo had obtained them overnight.
Payments from Creed Western Rail to Weller’s brother.
The courtroom exploded.
Federal marshals arrested Judge Weller before noon.
The land case collapsed.
Outside the courthouse, reporters surrounded Chloe.
She had become famous overnight.
Dominic watched from across the street.
Later, Chloe found him packing.
“Where are you going?”
“North.”
“Why?”
“Creed.”
“You found him?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
She laughed.
Dominic sighed.
“Why do I bother?”
“I’ve wondered.”
He stepped closer.
“This ends badly.”
“Maybe.”
“I have enemies.”
“I noticed.”
“I cannot offer you a normal life.”
Chloe looked around the enormous ranch.
“Dominic, three weeks ago I served whiskey for a living. Normal wasn’t doing much for me.”
He almost smiled.
Then his expression grew serious.
“I love you.”
The words stunned both of them.
Dominic looked as though he wished he could retrieve them.
Chloe stared.
“You choose now?”
“I have poor timing.”
“That may be the understatement of the century.”
“I don’t expect anything.”
She kissed him.
When they separated, Chloe whispered:
“I love you too.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
For one second, the deadliest outlaw in the territory looked utterly defenseless.
Then a shot shattered the window.
Dominic pulled Chloe down.
A burning arrow landed inside the room.
May you like
Outside, dozens of riders surrounded the ranch.
Silas had come for them.
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