"I've heard some about the troubles between the Steelgraves and the Thorntons.  Most people that I've talked to speak very highly about the Thorntons but in a way some of it could be seen as being a biased since three of them work for them.  What I'm after is an unbiased opinion and I figure the law would have to be one.  I plan to ask others but I want to know what you think of Elias and in particular, his daughter and if you think that there is any possibility that she is working for her father or is it as some say that there is an estrangement."

“Well yes, there is some bad blood between the two families, as one would expect when a Steelgrave was killed by a Thornton, but, to this point it seems to be on a low boil.” Speed responded, based on what knowledge he had of the feud. “At this point, the reasoning matters very little.”

“Now Elias Steelegrave seems to be secluded on the Evergreen, sending riders in for supplies as needed. He had control, to a large degree, in Whitefish, whose destruction I’m sure you’ve heard about.” He added.

He paused for a moment, and smiled a little, "I'm sorry for all of the questions but I am interested in knowing what the state of affairs in the Steelgrave family are. The town council has asked me to look into the matter before they make a final recommendation.  They believe I can form more fair judgement of the situation since I am new in town and have no pre-conceptions."

There it was, the Town Council, Leah, and the right of way for the railroad. “Leah Steelgrave is in no way in league with her father. I’m not sure just what you may have been told about her. Estrangement is to my understanding, a mild way to put their relationship. And let me add this, having seen the documentation first hand, the woman single handedly went to Helena and wangled not just the right of way, but grants as well. She gave the right of way deeds to the town, and simply asked for some property to build a hospital and an orphanage, which would also benefit the town. Now it seems, the town wants to renege on the deal, so they have asked you to investigate Miss Steelgrave and give them a way out.”

"I'm of the understanding that no deal has been reached and they are looking at their options before they present the project to the town for a vote," Charles frowned, "This is beginning to look like a very complicated matter."

“Oh, you are correct there was no deal in place. Personally, sir, it’s not complicated at all. Miss Steelgrave got the right of way and presented it to Judge Ben Robertson for the town, the right of way deeds are already in the name of Kalispell Montana.” Speed stated accurately.

He tapped his fingers on his desk for a few seconds before continuing, "From my own experience, I know that having a respected name can get you into a lot of places.  Even if Miss Steelgrave achieved getting right of way and the grants on her own, there would be those who only agreed to it because of her name and her father.  As for Elias Steelgrave, he sounds like the type to go and find another door if one is locked to him.  The Whitefish door is now closed and the Kalispell one is wide open.  If he has any designs on this town, he will use any means to get what he wants, including reconciling with his daughter, who holds one of the keys."

“I don’t understand you, sir. Leah Steelgrave does not hold any keys to control Kalispell, or it’s destiny. That would be the Town Council who hold all of the keys. But of course you are certainly free to believe whatever you like. Elias Steelgrave has no part in her plans.” 

A knock at the door alerted him to the fact that Luke had now finished opening up the marshal's new account.  Standing up, he smiled apologetically at Guyer, "All I can say is that i will need a lot more information about this before I make a recommendation to the town council."

“Thank you about the account, that will make doing business for my business much simpler and apart from my personal one. As far as Leah Steelgrave is concerned, you needn’t worry about her designs for Kalispell, I can tell you, she has none, save for building a hospital today and an orphanage tomorrow.” Speed explained. He did not like what this felt like.

Guyer though a moment, smiled and said, “Her father's daughter? She seems to be her own woman, but what I think you might do is, next time she’s in, talk to her. Ask her the questions about her plans. I should think that her obtaining the right of way and having it put in the town's name would speak well enough for her, but then I’m not trying to deny her the trade either.”

There was a pause as he looked at the new bank President. “No disrespect you understand, just trying to figure out why anyone would be against a hospital. Especially the Town Council.”

"Oh, no disadvantage, Mister Wentworth." Speed responded, " I can see your point, as well as theirs on this matter. What I fail to understand here is the balking at a property exchange. It would seem to me that the right of ways she has presented in the name of the town would be a sufficient incentive to make the land trade, certainly the town gets more than it gives."

Or that was the way Speed saw it. There was much more property involved with the right of way land grants than in her request for property for her project. "I see no negative effect on the town with the construction of the hospital, or the orphanage, but then again, I might not be looking at it through the same lens as the Town Council."