When Vance Restin entered the cell block Clint knew he’d figured it correctly. Now he had to play it right.
“Mr. Adams,” Restin said. “I hope the sheriff is making you comfortable in here?”
“Very,” Clint said. “I’m being fed very well.”
“That’s good,” Restin said. “I suppose you’d like to know what you’re being charged with?”
“I was assuming the sheriff would let me know,” Clint replied. “I didn’t expect to hear it from you.”
“Well,” Restin said, “the situation is sort of … unique.”
“In what way?”
“In the way that I could make it go away, if I wanted to,” the man said.
“Wait,” Clint said, “I assume I’m being charged with … what? Shooting someone?”
“Assault,” Restin said, “and attempted murder.”
“Of a man I don’t even know.”
“I’m sure a man like you is used to shooting men you don’t know,” Restin said.
“That’s not strictly true,” Clint said. “I try not to shoot anyone unless I’m forced into it.”
“As I understand it,” Restin said, “Ed Nolan had no chance against you. There’s such a thing as a man being totally overmatched.”
“Well, I can’t comment on that since I’ve never even seen the man I’m supposed to have shot.”
“Well, there’s a witness—”
“His wife,” Clint said, cutting him off, “who I’m sure has been forced to say what you want her to say.”
“That’s entirely possible,” Restin said.
Clint was surprised that the rancher admitted it.
“And she can be convinced to unsay it.”
“So you’re saying that you can arrange for me to walk out of here free and clear?”
“Exactly.”
“And all I have to do is … what? Take your daughter to Sacramento?”
Restin smiled.
“I knew you were a smart man,” he said. “Yes, all you have to do is accept the job I offered you.”
“At the same pay rate? Ten thousand?”
“Five.”
“I thought the last offer was ten.”
“It was,” Restin said, “but now the offer is five – payable at the other end when you deliver her to the university.”
This was exactly what Clint had been expecting. The only thing was, he hadn’t figured out a way out of it.
“And if you go part way and decide to run off,” Restin went on, “the charges will be refiled, and a wanted poster will be issued for you. You’ll be a man on the run.”
“You’re a sonofabitch, you know that?”
“Of course I know it,” Restin said. “So what’s your answer?”
“I have to think about it.”
“Still thinking you can come up with a way out?” Restin asked, and then didn’t give Clint a chance to reply. “Sure, go ahead and think about it. You have until tomorrow morning, and then the charges stick. You’ll be sitting in here until the circuit judge comes to town.”
“I’ll let you know tomorrow,” Clint said.
“Think long and hard, my friend,” Restin said. “I’m not a man you want to cross.”
With that Restin turned and walked out.
“What happened?” Sheriff Moreland asked the rancher as he came out of the cell block.
“He wants to think about it.”
“He’s in a cell, charged with murder, and he wants to think about it?”
“I gave him until morning and then I told him the charges stick.”
“How do you intend to make these charges stick when nobody’s really been shot?” Moreland asked.
“Don’t worry about it, sheriff,” the rancher said. “That’ll be my problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As Restin left, Moreland couldn’t believe that the man would really have Ed Nolan shot in order to make these charges stick. If that was the case, would he be able to go along with it?
He poured two cups of coffee and carried them into the cell block.
“Coffee?” he asked Clint.
“Thanks.”
Moreland passed the cup through the bars.
“This guy is really serious, isn’t he?” Clint asked Moreland.
“I’m afraid so.”
“And you’re going to go along with it?”
“I like my job.”
“What if he decided to really shoot this Nolan fella just so he can charge me with the crime?”
Moreland didn’t answer.
“Ha!” Clint said. “You were just thinking the same thing, weren’t you?”
“Maybe,” Sheriff Moreland said, “you might want to talk to a lawyer.”