Jake opened the door and Galen stepped inside. Edward and Henry were already there.

"The sheriff can't come, some council member called him to a meeting."

"I can update him later. Tell me about Huber, Jake."

"I gave him the spiel just like we rehearsed. Not positive, but I'm pretty sure he's interested. He sure smelled of desperation when I mentioned Harley's deal, although I have a feeling he's going to do some serious checking."

"Charlie Sykes is the wireless operator, he knows he's to pretend to send any of Huber's messages to the railroad or the riverboat company, then tell us and we'll write a reply. If Huber checks here in town, I think we're covered."

"Do you want us to commiserate with him any more, or just play it by ear?" Edward was really enjoying his role.

"Just carry on like you're gathering information. If he approaches you again, you might casually suggest he get a lawyer, if he hasn't already." Galen pointed at Jake, and they all shared a laugh.

"I have to ask you, Galen, and don't take it the wrong way, but this all must be costin' you plenty. Should we be kickin' in some share?" Jake looked to the others.

"The money's not a problem, and thanks for askin'." He pulled at his nose, then clapped his hands. "Nearly forgot." Galen told them about Harley's trouble with one of Huber's men and that he had to be let in on the plan.

"What did he say?"

"Angry at first - more at himself - but he's okay. Lydia is walking the girl to school for a couple of days, but I'm going to be watching them. I hope nothing comes up that spoils what we've already done."

"We'll do our part," Edward stated solemnly. "And anything else needed." He looked at Henry who gulped, always fretting over the possibility of violence, and nodded.

They all shook hands and left Jake's room at intervals.

******

Ellis came around the counter and shook Galen's hand. "Mr. Helliwell. We don't see you in here very often," he bubbled.

"I need to have a private talk, Ellis."

"Certainly, follow me. My office is right this way."

He showed Galen a chair and then sat as his desk, displaying his most sincere posture and expression. "What can I help you with? Is it the plan?" He leaned forward, lowering his voice.

"No, but you might get another visit from Huber. Jake has already talked to him, so you know what to say, right?"

"Indeed. I have my role down pat, sir." He chuckled.

"Good. Ellis, what I am about to tell you is a secret. A very important secret that has to stay just between you and me. I'm not foolin' here, Ellis. I mean it."

Ellis's face paled, and he sat back, plucking at the end of his moustache. "That is a most extraordinary statement, Galen." A small hanky appeared, dabbing at his damp forehead.

"It is indeed, but a true one. I'm serious, Ellis. Only me and two other people ever knew what I need to tell you. I need you to swear."

"Is- is there danger involved in this? Will I be--"

"No. Nothing like that." Galen sat back and smiled. "I know this all sounds scary, but the only danger is if the secret gets out - and that will only affect me."

"I'm not- I don't know what to say. Why me?"

"It has to do with the bank, and who better."

The hanky completed a circuit of the face and then disappeared back into a vest pocket.

"I don't suppose a small hint - you know, to help me decide?"

"It obviously has to do with money, Ellis. A lot of money." Galen waited. Watching.

"If I do this, I'm putting a lot of trust in your word, Galen . . ." He let the inference dangle between them.

"You are, and I understand that, so I swear on my life, you will not be in any danger in any way. Actually, what you're doing with the rest of us and Huber is more dangerous."

"Very well, you have my word, and God is my witness."

"Thank you, Ellis. Thank you very much."

The Secret

William Helliwell stood clutching the rail of the ship and staring at the land that would soon be home to him and his family, his wife, Dorothy, two sons, Galen and Alexander, and a daughter Lorrie. They had sailed from Nassau and would be landing at Fort Fisher on the Cape Fear River where William would be working with the Ned Peale Company, providing ships for the Confederate States Navy.

Within a year of their arrival, Alexander had left home against the family wishes, and joined the Confederate Army. Less than a month later they learned he had been killed at Shiloh. Meanwhile, Lorrie had met a young Union soldier and eloped, later to discover he was a deserter, when he was captured and returned for court marshal. Lorrie never returned home.

William became very successful at the Ned Peale Company, not through any patriotic zeal, but for the immense wealth that could be made procuring the finest in fast steam packets for the Union blockade runners. One particular ship, the CSS Zephyr, proved fast enough to outrun any ship attempting to pursue it. During its career, it managed many voyages, delivering munitions from Britain, and cotton to Bermuda.

William's attitude changed dramatically. He became ugly at home with his family any time his activities came into question, or there was talk of money. He was the provider, and they would accept that without question. Then when a large shipment of cotton, in exchange for gold, destined to the Confederate Treasury was stolen, the Helliwell family suddenly vanished from South Carolina, and any connection to the Ned Peale Company.

The action enraged Galen, and he confronted his father about the theft and how it had endangered the family out of pure greed, ending their relationship in a bitter quarrel. His mother begged them to forgive, and broke down when her last child tried to convince her to leave. She refused, and he expressed his sorrow for her, apologizing and explaining to her that he just could not stay. The parting was difficult.

Nearly three years passed before Galen was tracked down by a man, in a small town in the southwest. The man introduced himself as a representative of a trust company in Missouri, with the news that his parents had both succumbed, his father from cholera, and his mother from years of abuse and stress.

Galen felt a surge of regret over his mother, knowing he should have stayed and tried to help her. That regret was amplified when he learned she had sought legal help in setting up a trust with a bank, exchanging the large remainder of the stolen gold to banknotes. He couldn't imagine how she represented owning the bullion without being questioned, but apparently that much money allowed all kinds of questions to go unanswered.

The considerable sum had been placed in Galen's name for his own use. Stunned, and angry at the same time, he cursed his father and reluctantly signed the papers the man had brought. He resolved to make sure every penny would go toward the memory of his mother and be used to help others.

Keeping it a secret had been almost as hard as accepting it in the first place. People often commented on how he just always seemed to have money, and a practised deceit kept him from explaining. Now, having chosen to settle in one place, with Lydia, he wouldn't be accessing it from all over any more, rather from one location. The Barrow Falls Bank.

******

Ellis puffed out his cheeks and shook his head. The secret wasn't as difficult as he'd imagined, but the responsibility was much more daunting.

"That's a tall order, Galen."

"I know, but can you do it?"

"Keeping it from the others here in the bank is going to be tricky. I'll have to think about how to handle that."

"But you can do it?" Galen pressed. "I just don't want it to get out that I have this money. I don't want to have to explain where it came from - ever."

"But you're using it for good things, Galen. Why hide that?"

"Because it can change the folks around me, I've seen it happen, Ellis, and I want no part of it. That's why I made you swear." His look pinned the bank manager to his chair.

"I won't breathe a word. I'll just have to work out a plan. I hope this isn't a rush request."

"Nope, but I don't want it to drag out either."
"How are you getting it now?"

"I wire the company. They put it on a Wells Fargo stage that drops it off to a place I'm at, or goin' to."

"But they don't come here."

"That's why I don't want it to drag out, Ellis."

"Let me see what I can come up with." He stood and shook Galen's hand, then sat and stared at his desk after the door closed.