“I wonder how Brandon is dealing with the possible loss of his profits to British investments?” Steve said dryly. “He intends to dominate the silver market, and he’s close enough to the border to get his ore to the smelters quickly, then get it on the market. He’s managed to do it without a lot of interference by the Mexican government, but I have a feeling that’s about to change.”

Paco laughed softly. “Sí, amigo, I think perhaps his luck is about to run out.”

William Brandon was beginning to think the same thing, and frustration battled with anger as he realized that his son-in-law was behind this most recent turn of fortune. He crumpled the telegram in one fist, eyes smoldering as he regarded the messenger.

“No, there is no reply.”

Damn Steve Morgan! Swiveling around in the leather chair, he leaned back to stare out the window of the office that looked over the San Antonio River. Cottonwood trees thrust bare branches over the slow winding curve of the river. A willow swayed in the wind. It would be spring before long, and he had to get the ore out of Mexico before the rains started in May.

Now, it seemed the new president had been informed of the Galena’s profits and had politely and firmly reminded him he was a guest in the country. A Mexican envoy would be made available immediately to survey the mine and offer any government assistance.

How much did Díaz know? Was he aware that only three months ago Steve Morgan had been a prisoner in the Galena Mine? And that he had killed four guards before their brief rebellion was over? It was not something he wanted known, especially in the United States. If the newspapers got wind of it, they would have a field day with that bit of knowledge. He could see the headlines now if they learned that a United States senator was involved in the operation of a Mexican mine that had imprisoned his own son-in-law. Thanks to influential friends, nothing had yet been leaked, but should a journalist get wind of it…

And now this! It was easy enough to recognize the fine hand of Steve Morgan behind Hill’s withdrawal from the plan to expand a railroad through Mexico. Suddenly, the rights to prime land through one of Hearst’s ranches had been yanked away, access denied. It meant excruciating delay and much higher costs. The country was too rugged in places, the land brutal and almost impossible to lay tracks through. Now he learned that the railroad rights he had thought finalized ran through the ranch that Morgan had purchased from Hearst. To go around could take months, time he didn’t have.

How long before Díaz increased his discreet taxation on the silver production? Already, the governor of Chihuahua had been ousted, Terrazas having supported the erstwhile president instead of the victor.