"Well."
Caleb glanced up.
"What?"
Amos gestured toward the room.
"Looks different."
Caleb frowned.
"How?"
The sheriff smiled.
"There's a woman here."
Clara laughed.
Caleb rolled his eyes.
"Very observant, Sheriff."
Amos grinned.
Then noticed the books stacked beside the window.
The extra shawl hanging near the door.
The small vase of dried flowers on the table.
For years, he'd known Caleb's cabin as a place of practical objects.
Tools.
Weapons.
Blankets.
Boots.
A table.
A stove.
Everything necessary.
Almost nothing decorative.
Now the house looked lived in.
Not merely occupied.
Amos sat.
Clara brought coffee.
They discussed the investigation.
Several records had been requested from offices farther south.
A territorial official had agreed to examine the survey discrepancies.
And the review concerning Thomas's death had begun identifying inconsistencies in earlier statements.
Peter Henshaw was cooperating.
His family remained safe.
But Nathaniel Briggs had disappeared from the area.
That concerned them.
Without Briggs, some of the questions surrounding the quarry would be harder to answer.
Caleb listened.
Then asked whether Voss had been questioned.
Amos nodded.
"Through counsel."
"What did he say?"
"He denied directing any falsification or violence."
Caleb's expression hardened.
The sheriff continued.
"He claims employees may have made mistakes without his knowledge."
Clara looked up.
"That may be his defense, but the records should show who approved the changes."
Amos nodded.
"Exactly."
They discussed the available correspondence and what additional records might establish.
Then the sheriff stood.
As he approached the door, he paused.
He looked toward Caleb.
For a moment, his expression became serious.
"Thomas would've been proud of you."
Caleb froze.
Amos continued.
"For what you're doing now."
The mountain man looked away.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then whispered, "I hope so."
The sheriff nodded.
He looked toward Clara.
"Good evening, Miss Whitmore."
She smiled.
"Good evening."
Then he left.
Caleb remained beside the door for a long moment.
When he turned, Clara was watching him.
She didn't ask whether he was all right.
She could see the answer.