He looked toward the letter.
"Because I think the man who can explain what happened to Thomas may still be in this town."
The man was named Peter Henshaw.
He had worked as a junior survey assistant during Thomas Hart's final assignment.
At the time, he was twenty-two, inexperienced, and eager to earn enough money to purchase a small farm.
He had been responsible for carrying instruments, setting stakes, copying measurements, and maintaining equipment.
After Thomas died, Peter left the survey crew.
He returned to Willow Creek.
Took a job repairing wagons.
And gradually stopped speaking about the quarry.
By 1888, he was twenty-seven, married, and father to a little girl.
He lived in a small house near the edge of town.
Amos knew him.
So did Caleb.
But neither had connected him to the old investigation until Samuel Whitmore's field books made the survey discrepancy clear.
Peter had given a statement after Thomas died.
He claimed the party encountered cattle thieves and scattered during the confusion.
He said he didn't see exactly what happened to Thomas.
The account was vague.
At the time, investigators couldn't prove it was false.
Now the sheriff wanted to speak with him again.
Caleb insisted on attending.
Amos refused.
For several minutes, they argued in the sheriff's office.
Finally, Clara intervened.
"Would it help if someone who understands the survey notes were present?"
The men looked toward her.
She continued.
"Peter may remember landmarks or markings that mean little to someone unfamiliar with the records."
Amos considered that.
Then nodded.
"Perhaps."
Caleb looked toward Clara.
His expression tightened.
"I don't want you near anybody involved in this."
She crossed her arms.
"Caleb."
He sighed.
She stepped closer.
"You promised not to make my decisions for me."
For a moment, he looked trapped between fear and affection.
Then he shook his head.
"You're going to remind me of that for the rest of my life, aren't you?"
Clara smiled faintly.
"Most likely."
Amos almost laughed.
The tension eased.
Eventually, they agreed that the sheriff and a deputy would conduct the interview while Clara assisted with technical questions. Caleb would remain nearby but wouldn't lead the questioning.
It wasn't a perfect arrangement.
But it allowed everyone to contribute without turning the meeting into a confrontation.
Peter Henshaw arrived the following afternoon.
He looked frightened before anyone spoke.
His shoulders were hunched.
His hands moved nervously around his hat.
And he kept glancing toward the window.
Amos invited him to sit.
Peter remained standing.
"What's this about?"
The sheriff gestured toward the chair.
"Thomas Hart."
Peter's face changed.
For a moment, he seemed unable to breathe.
Then he whispered, "That was years ago."
Amos nodded.
"Five."
Peter looked toward Caleb.
The mountain man stood near the far wall.
His expression was controlled.
But his hands were clenched.
Peter swallowed.
"I already told you what happened."
The sheriff nodded.