“Who is it exactly that has hired you, Mr. Platt?” Meredith asked.
“Well, now don’t you worry your pretty little head over that Miss Connolly.” Mr. Platt let out a little laugh, its condescending nature skidding over Meredith’s nerves.
“Pardon me, Mr. Platt, but Bill is like family to me. To tell me not to worry about him would be akin to suggesting I stop breathing. It simply isn’t going to happen. Now, if you want me to assist you in convincing Mr. Yucton to take you up on your offer, I suggest you start by giving us a little more information on who this anonymous benefactor so concerned about his future is.”
Mr. Platt blinked at her.
Hunter’s deep chuckle filled the room. “Believe the lady asked you a direct question, Platt.”
“As I am well aware, Sheriff. But I am sorry to say, my benefactor wishes to remain anonymous and as I am but his employee—” Platt pressed a hand to his heart as if this pained him greatly to say “—I am bound by his wishes and cannot provide the information you request.”
Meredith itched to slap the pandering expression on his smarmy face, as if his pretty words were enough to douse her interest. The man was as foolish as his fancy suits. “Then can I ascertain from your inference that you know the identity of your employer?”
“Oh,” Mr. Platt sat up straighter. He had obviously not been expecting the question. He blinked at her again several times.
Hunter’s smile widened. He seemed to enjoy watching Mr. Platt squirm.
Meredith pulled her attention back to Mr. Platt. “Is that a yes, Mr. Platt?”
“Uh...yes. To a certain extent.”
“That’s a half-assed answer if I ever heard one,” Hunter said.
Bill grunted. “True enough.”
“And not one I understand the meaning of,” Meredith added. “Either you know your employer or you do not. Which is it?”
Mr. Platt crossed then uncrossed his legs. He looked at Hunter and Bill, but if he hoped to find any assistance there he was to be disappointed. “I have met my benefactor on one occasion only. The meeting was brief and we have not spoken since. We have communicated through written correspondence.”
“Then your benefactor does not reside in Salvation Falls?”
Mr. Platt swallowed, the nob of his throat bobbing up and down. “I cannot say where he resides.”
The more Mr. Platt spoke, the murkier the situation became. Something wasn’t right.
“You can’t say or you won’t say?” Hunter’s gaze had grown intense and fixed directly on Mr. Platt. He sensed it, too, a fact that gave her little comfort.
“I...I...”
“You know, Platt—” Hunter glared down at the lawyer “—maybe this isn’t something you want to get yourself involved in.”
“And why is that, Sheriff?”
“Because,” Bill answered, his lazy drawl filled with irony, “everyone who got themselves involved in anything to do with the cattle rustling out at the Diamond D Ranch is either dead or on their way there.”
Mr. Platt blanched, his gaze flitting from Bill to Hunter then back to her. “I...I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”
“I’m sure he’s not,” Hunter said. “I take it your employer didn’t bother mentioning that aspect of the situation to you, did he?”
“Well...” Mr. Platt slapped his gloved hands against his thighs and stood, but he seemed a little less sure of his footing than when he arrived. “That’s a very interesting tale you tell, gentlemen, but I’m certain you’ve exaggerated its truth. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve done all I can here. Please let me know if you change your mind, Mr. Yucton. Good day, Miss Connolly. It was, as always, delightful to spend time in your company.”
“Good day, Mr. Platt.” She nodded in his direction but he had already turned and hurried toward the door. It slammed shut behind him seconds later. She had a feeling he wouldn’t be back.
Bill chuckled. “Think you might have rattled the poor man, Meredith.”
Hunter scowled after the departed lawyer. “Might be he could use a good rattling. Might be, too, it’s high time I head over to the telegraph office and wire my contacts in San Francisco to see what we can learn about Wallace Platt. I’ve got a feeling the man doesn’t have any clue what he’s gotten himself into.”
Bill looked up at him. “Do you?”
Hunter glanced over his shoulder and the two men exchanged a look Meredith couldn’t interpret. “I’m beginning to.”
It wasn’t there.
Meredith pulled the opening of the reticule wider, stretching the strings as far as they would go then turned it upside down. A vigorous shake over her bed produced nothing. Had she forgotten the ledger sheet in Hunter’s room?