★ XIX ★
The ride back to Absalom’s was not a pleasant one. Bonniger’s face was stony now. He seemed more sorry than sore, and that made Neill feel like hell. Bonniger rode with Mattingly and Neill had the back seat to himself. There was no talk on the way.
When they got out in front of Longcope’s store Neill faced Bonniger frankly. “Mark,” he said, “I’ve got a favor to ask of you.”
“What’s that?”
“I want to talk to Buckless alone. We could see last night that he wasn’t telling the whole truth, and I think maybe I can get something more out of him.”
This request surprised Bonniger. He thought it over, stroking his chin. “All right,” he said at last. “Mattingly will row you out.”
Neill thought, He means to give me plenty of rope.
Bonniger spoke quietly to the constable and went in
