“What part of the country?” Mike asked.
“All over. We’re not limited.”
“Anything in Las Vegas?” Mike asked.
“Why do you ask about Las Vegas?”
“Maybe it’s your accent,” Mike replied. “It sounds western, but not Texas.”
Bunt stared at Mike. Forrest cut in, “Mike, could we have a private chat?”
“So long as we don’t go to your office.”
Forrest walked away from the vehicle toward the edge of the clearing. The other three men moved in the opposite direction. Judge, his breathing returned to normal, sniffed the ground around the SUV.
“Don’t lose your salvation over the letter I sent you,” Forrest said. “Look at the situation from my side. The bank has an interest in the successful prosecution of an individual who embezzled money from one of its customers. I can’t give you access to our building where bank files are kept until this matter is dealt with, one way or another.”
“Is there anything in your files that would impact my client’s case?”
“I don’t see how there could be, but that isn’t the point. I can’t compromise the confidentiality of the firm’s attorney-client relationship with the bank.” Forrest paused. “Even for one of the best lawyers I’ve known since opening my office in this county forty years ago.”
“A phone call before you sent the letter would have been nice.”
“I probably should have done that, but I’ve been very busy. Too busy. The firm is undergoing changes. Park is leaving. Arnold is smart and has a great future, but he’s not ready to assume primary responsibility for major clients.” “Any replacements on the horizon?”
“Not yet, and until that happens, Bobby and I will be spending most of our time chained to our desks.”
“Except Saturdays along Cohulla Creek.”
“With businessmen who have a right to keep their plans private,” Forrest responded. “Where were you going with your cross-examination of Mr. Bunt?”
“Who knows? You stopped me.”
“Don’t play that game. I trained you to know the answers to questions before you asked them. You’re right about the survey ribbons. It’s no secret. There are options on record at the courthouse, although I have no idea why you would care. You’re not a trout fisherman or an environmentalist.”
“Just a bike-riding preacher who still doesn’t understand why a busy, important lawyer like you is so interested in Sam Miller.”
“I told you. I’m looking out for the bank’s reputation.”
“I hear you, Mr. Forrest, but that’s not enough. My client has been offered a sweet deal to plead guilty, but I can’t advise him what to do without access to the bank’s records. That’s the only way I can properly evaluate the charges against him.”
“If he’s guilty, let him plead. I’m sure the district attorney’s office has the pertinent information. Have you filed a motion—”
“They’ve allowed me to copy the entire file.”
“What was in it?”
“Not much. Copies of two checks along with records for the accounts involved.”
“What else do you want? That’s all the bank would have in its records.”
“There must have been an internal investigation before the matter was referred to the sheriff ’s office. And I’d also like to know about any communication between the bank and my client.”
“Your client should have copies of anything the bank sent him, and he’d be aware of anything coming from his end.”
“Miller cuts grass for a living. His filing system is a shoe box in the bottom of a closet.”
“His lack of organization isn’t the bank’s problem.”
“I know, but it will become the bank’s problem when I file a subpoena dragging a bank officer into court so I can take a look at what they have. I don’t want to do that, and it shouldn’t be necessary.”
Forrest glanced over at the other men. “I’ll talk to Hatcher about it,” he replied. “But not today. This meeting doesn’t have anything to do with your client. And my advice to you the other day still stands. You have no business practicing law as a hobby.”
“When will I hear from you?” Mike asked.
“Don’t give me a deadline,” Forrest replied, his jaw set. “I’ll get to it. You can count on it.”
They started walking toward the other men. Bunt and Linden got into the SUV.
“Good to see you, Mike,” Hatcher said as he opened the driver’s-side door. “We need to be on our way. Be careful on your ride. I bet the gravel on this road makes it hard to maneuver on a bicycle.”