“I want to see the sheriff again,” Mason told him.
“All right. You wait here. I’ll tell the sheriff you’re here.”
Waner went to the door of the cabin and called the sheriff. A moment later Sheriff Barnes came out to see what was wanted. When he saw Mason, his face clouded with suspicion. “I thought you’d gone,” he said pointedly.
“I started,” Mason told him, “and came back. If you can step this way, Sheriff, I think I have something important to show you.”
Sergeant Holcomb came to the door of the cabin to stand just behind the sheriff. “What is it?” he asked.
“Something to show the sheriff,” Mason replied.
Sergeant Holcomb said grimly, “Mason, if this is a trap to distract our attention, I’ll...”
“I don’t care whether your attention’s distracted or not,” Mason interrupted. “I’m talking to the sheriff.”
Sergeant Holcomb said to Waner, “Waner, you stay here with Mr. Waid. Don’t let him leave. Don’t let anyone talk with him. Don’t let him touch anything. Do you understand?”
Waner nodded.