BEYOND THE SILENT TRACKS

Miller emerged from the barn shadow, his hands held empty and high, his movements deliberate. ""Sheriff Cole. I am Master Sergeant Miller, active duty US Army. Sergeant Vance is currently under an active medical transport transit order. You hold him, and you are violating Title 10 of the federal code. This ledger is evidence in a felony interstate fraud investigation.""

Cole stopped three paces from Nathan's chair. His partner, a younger deputy with wide eyes, hovered behind him, unsure where to point his flashlight.

""You're a long way from Fort Carson, Master Sergeant,"" Cole said.

""Try me, Sheriff,"" Miller replied, his voice dropping to a gravelly snarl. ""Run my credentials through the federal dispatch line. But while you're sitting on the radio, you're helping a land-grabber steal from a Silver Star recipient whose kid is being trafficked into the system three counties away. You want that on your next election flyer?""

Cole stood frozen in the rain, looking from Nathan’s paralyzed legs to the ledger in his lap, and then toward the barn where Thomas was now watching from the door. Cole knew the truth. Every man in this valley knew Thomas Vance was a snake, but snakes usually carried the checkbook.

""The gorge bridge is closed,"" Cole said after ten agonizing seconds. He didn't take the handcuffs off his belt, but he stepped back toward his vehicle. ""County engineers condemned the timber supports two hours ago. It's five hours around the valley through the pass.""

""Is the rail line running?"" Nathan asked suddenly.

Cole paused, looking toward the dark treeline at the edge of the property where the old freight spur ran up toward the mining gap. ""Freight rail's private. Northern Pacific runs a coal run through Clarksville at midnight. But they don't carry passengers, Nate.""

""I don't need a passenger car,"" Nathan said.

Cole stared at Nathan for a long moment, then reached inside his jacket, pulled out a heavy metal key, and tossed it into Nathan's lap. ""That's the padlock for the spur switch at the junction. If you're on those tracks, I never saw you. And if you get caught by the yard bulls in Clarksville, I'm issuing a warrant for your arrest.""