Page 151 of South of Nowhere

She was a scientist, which suggested an absence of emotion, orat least the willpower to master dismay. She had always had a stoic quality about her.

Yet in his reward-seeking jobs, Shaw had witnessed any number of offerors who were men and women of steel in their professional lives but who became inconsolable, sobbing and frantic, when confronted with hard personal truths.

Shaw had already been rehearsing.

I found something in Ashton’s papers. It’s tough, but you need to know…

Or possibly:

You know toward the end, Ashton wasn’t really in his right mind…

This looming conversation dominated his thoughts, but it was not the only thing on his mind.

He was also thinking about Annie Coyne. His sister and mother would stay in the motel that night.

But Shaw?

The Winnebago was one possibility.

The other was a cozy bedroom in a certain farmhouse, filled with lace and stained glass, a bit gaudy for his taste. But he would gladly cope.

A firm voice from behind them disturbed his thoughts.

“Ms. Anne Rachel Coyne?”

The three stopped and turned.

“That’s me, yes.”

The pudgy man wore a three-piece suit, a rarity in general and hardly the sort of garb one would see in Hinowah. The natty jacket, brown, was tight and the white shirt a size small. Neck flesh bulged. The red-and-gray-striped tie was broad and shiny. His cuff links might or might not have been real gold doubloons.

“My name is Myron Nash, I am an attorney representing the Redding Mining Company. Mr. Redding’s brother and his wife areflying in to take over operations, at least temporarily. They’re the primary beneficiaries of his will.”

“Okay.” Annie was squinting her cowgirl look at him, as if to say, It’s been a long day. Please get to the point.

“I’m here to inform you that the police searched the workshop where Mr. Redding died. They found some documents in one of the walls that was blown open in the explosion. Probably left for safekeeping ages ago and forgotten about and sealed up during renovations. They’re relevant to the dispute between you and Mr. Redding over water rights to the Never Summer. Here’s a copy. The original document will be tested but I have every reason to believe it’s authentic.”

Frowning, she took the sheet. Over her shoulder, Shaw read:

Territorial Governor

Olechu County, California

This is to certify that the Ezekiel Redding Mining Company first used water from that river known as the Never Summer in English and the Tlamati in Indian on March 4 of 1848. All uses subsequent to that date will be deemed subordinate.

The yellow, crisp document was signed and dated.

“No!” Annie’s eyes closed briefly.

The lawyer asked, “Your ancestors first use was when?”

She whispered, “After that. In March of 1848, they hadn’t even staked a claim here. They’d wintered near where Grand Junction, Colorado, is now. They didn’t get to Hinowah until June.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’ve seen the original deed of trust. Yes.”

“I’m sorry to have to deliver this news then.” He didn’t seemparticularly sorry but neither was he triumphant. “Here’s my card if you or your attorney have any questions.”

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