Clint got the names of the two other members of the town council and decided to interview them first. In each case, when he told them he was working for Big Al, they cooperated. Yes, Big Al and Thayer were always at odds at the meetings. Yes, Collins sided with Big Al, and Judge Miller sided with Thayer. When asked who they sided with, both men said it depended on the issue. Both men ran successful businesses—one a hotel, the other a large hardware store—and neither of them seemed particularly afraid of Big Al, Thayer, or the judge.
When asked if they thought either Thayer or the judge would have Ed Collins killed in order to get their way, both men said, “Definitely.”
When Clint asked them who was going to replace Collins on the council, they both said a meeting to discuss that had been scheduled for the next day.
Clint thanked both men and left, fairly certain neither had a dog in this fight. However, he was no clearer of whether or not Thayer or the judge was behind Collins’s murder.
He went to Big Al Henry’s hotel, found the man seated in the large lobby in an overstuffed chair, reading a newspaper. When Henry saw Clint approaching, he closed the newspaper and stood up.
“Do you have something for me yet?” he asked anxiously.
“Yes,” Clint said, “more questions.”
“Have a seat, then.”
They both sat, Clint occupying a twin of Big Al Henry’s chair. It was extremely comfortable.
“Here are my suspects,” Clint said. “Thayer or the judge, or perhaps one of the men who is in the running to replace Collins on the council.”
“You think somebody killed Collins for his seat?” Big Al shook his head. “I don’t see it.”
“Okay, then who had more to gain from Collins’s death, Thayer or the judge?”
“Thayer,” Big Al said with no hesitation. “He wanted Ed’s business, and he needed Ed’s vote.”
“So he’ll get the vote from whoever replaces Collins on the council.”
“Maybe.”
“And will he get Collins’s business?”
“I’m sure he’ll make Beth a generous offer,” Henry said.
“And what will she do?”
“I don’t know,” Henry admitted. “Since her dad died for it, maybe she’ll want to keep it. On the other hand, maybe because he died inside, she’ll want to get rid of it.”
“Okay, what about hired killers?”
“What about them?”
“Does Thayer have anybody working for him who would do the job?” Clint asked.
“Who knows?” Henry said. “If he doesn’t, he could always bring somebody in. He’s got that kind of money.”
“And the judge?”
“He’s got some men in town who do dirty jobs for him, but no murder,” Henry said.
“Does he have the kind of money it would take to hire it done?” Clint asked.
“He does,” Henry said, “but he wouldn’t need it. He has that kind of influence.”
“Look,” Clint said, “I’ve run into crooked rich men and crooked judges before. It usually helps to bring in some Federal help.”
“If you’ve dealt with men like this before, then you know they have their own influence. Even on a Federal level.”
Big Al was careful to say men like “them,” ignoring the fact that he was one of these men, as well.
Clint decided to broach the subject.
“Do you have that kind of Federal influence?”
“I have some,” Big Al said without bristling. “I’d hardly kill a man and frame my own son, though. Besides, Ed always voted with me on issues.”
“So I heard. Who do you think will replace Ed?”
“My best guess? The saloon owner, Randy Kenon.”
This was the first time Clint had heard Randy’s last name. It meant nothing to him.
“Do you think he’d kill for it?”
“No,” Big Al said without hesitation.
“What makes you so sure?”
“I know Randy well,” Henry said. “He likes my boy and Jason likes him. And the reason I think he’ll get the seat is that he doesn’t care if he gets it.”
“I see.”
“Have you spoken with Beth?”
“Yes.”
“Did she give you any inkling of what she intended to do with the store?”
“No.”
“Does she still think Jason killed her father?”
“Actually, no. She listened to what I had to say, and she realized she made an error. She wants to get in to talk with your boy.”
“What do you think of that?”
“I see no harm,” Clint said. “I’m on my way to talk to Brown about letting her in.”
“Why was she so sure Jason did it? The judge?”
“Yes.”
“He’s not going to be happy that you changed her mind.”
“I’m going to talk to him—and to Thayer—after I see the sheriff,” Clint said.
Henry grinned and said, “They won’t be happy to learn that you’re working for me either.”
“That’s okay with me,” Clint said. “I’m not particularly concerned about making them happy.”