“I told him that, yes.”
“Did you believe it was true or were you lying to explain to him why his plan wouldn’t work?”
The moonlight did not help Phoebe see Remington’s face clearly when the brim of his hat shadowed his features, but what she heard in his voice made her think he was serious. Patiently, she said, “I explained to him why his plan wouldn’t work because what I said was true.”
“My father invited you to come to Twin Star. You said so yourself. Do you really think he wouldn’t pay a ransom demand?”
“I like your father, and I had an opportunity to spend time with him when he was courting Fiona and she was in rehearsals. I formed the impression that he is a hardworking cattleman with a good sense for business. In New York, he was generous to Fiona but not foolish with his money. Paying ransom would be foolish.”
“Because it might not guarantee that you would be released?”
“There is that, of course, but more to the point, your father has no obligation toward me.”
“You think so little of yourself?”
“No, not at all. I simply think there is no reason your father should part with money on my behalf.”
“You’re Fiona’s sister.”
“That would be a reason for her to consider paying the ransom.” She briefly raised a hand to stop the comment she was anticipating. “I know. Fiona has no money in her own right so that brings us around to your father.”
“You really don’t know him,” said Remington. “If Shoulders puts the demand to him, my father will pay, then, regardless of whether you are safe or not, he will hunt them down and take his money back from their cold, dead hands.”
Phoebe stared at him. “I did not imagine he was so ruthless.”
“Practical, I would say. Not ruthless. A great believer in justice, is my father. As I said, you don’t really know him.”
Phoebe conceded the point and asked, “How well do you know Fiona?”
Remington recognized dark and dangerous waters. “Not particularly well. It’s been six months since—”
“Seven. Seven months since they were married.”
“Right. Seven. I travel some for the ranch. Purchases. Sales.”
“Your father told me you are a lawyer.”
“I am a rancher who went to law school. There’s a difference. Ask my professors.”
Phoebe didn’t believe his professors thought he was anything but brilliant. Thaddeus certainly thought so. She considered saying something to that effect, but he was going on.
“I do the contracts because my father would rather not.”
“So you don’t have occasion to spend much time in Fiona’s company.”
“That’s right. When I’m around, I’m out of doors. There is a lot of land to cover, always something to do. I often take my meals with the hands in the bunkhouse so the newlyweds can be alone.”
“You still think of them as newlyweds?”
“Sometimes. It depends on your sister’s mood.”
“Mm.”
Remington could make nothing of that noncommittal reply, but he thought it probably signaled the end of conversation regarding Fiona. For that, he was grateful.
“What sort of name is Remington? Family name?”
“Someone’s family. Not mine. It’s the sort of name given to a child whose father was threatened with a shotgun if he did not do right by the child’s mother. At least that’s the story I’ve been told. Never changes.”
