They were preparing to steal everything he owned while blaming his disability.
Gideon stood beside me, watching my face.
I showed him the petition.
He read it slowly.
Then he sat down.
For several moments, he appeared almost unsurprised.
He took his pencil and wrote:
They want the North Fork spring.
I had heard him mention North Fork before.
It was the source of the creek that crossed his northern pastures.
The water kept hundreds of cattle alive during summer droughts.
But Gideon explained that the spring had another significance.
It flowed above the abandoned Saint Agnes drainage galleries.
A proposed silver-processing operation on Vane’s land needed enormous quantities of water.
The easiest route would be through Gideon’s property.
For years, Vane had offered to purchase the spring rights.
Gideon always refused.
Now Vane had found a different approach.
“He thinks he can declare you incapable,” I said, writing the words.
Gideon nodded.
Or frighten you into signing after I’m gone.
I stared at that sentence.
“After you’re gone?”
He looked away.
Then he turned to a fresh page.
The medicine.
Chapter 1: The Creature Beneath His Skin 027
