Gordon stared in awe at Deborah. Her story, via Mindy Cowls, was astounding and not a little unsettling. He'd heard the gossip around town about how Jeannette wanted to be in the Mayor's office but it was just gossip-- or so he thought. Now he could see a much clearer pattern of her behavior and the goal she was pursuing.

Marry big money. Use the position to manipulate and influence useful people and then extract favors for discretion. He reflected on his own brief dalliance at her party and worried suddenly why that might have occurred in light of Deborah's revelation.

"Santa Gordo could be on the brink of a huge scandal." Deborah said excitedly.

"I don't see Clifford Whyst letting Mindy Cowls drag his marriage through the mud, Deb. He could probably screw her case with one little phone call."

"That's why I suggested she go to the state police."

"Nnnggn-- you what!?"

"I got her the number for Jeremy Callum. He should be able to tell her how to approach the state police. She was quite worried when she got back here. She said Whyst threatened her with a golf club."

"Oh Jesus. Deborah, why did you get involved?"

"She confided in me and she needed help."

"Something we're going to need business-wise if this thing blows up."

"Sometimes people just have to do what's right, Gordon." She stood and moved off in a huff.

"First, people have to know what's right." he muttered after her.

Jeremy Callum strode through the glass doors onto the patio and stood, scanning the different unit doors. Mindy had said she was in number eight and he spotted the big number on the wall behind a short yucca plant. The door behind him opened and Jeremy turned to see the curious face of a younger man coming his way.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm calling on a Miss Cowls in unit eight." Jeremy's pale lips cracked a smile.

Gordon studied the weathered face and the colourless eyes and realized that this was the retired state policeman Deborah had mentioned.

"Right over there. I'm Gordon Hardy, I own this place."

"Pleasure, Mr. Hardy. Very nicely kept, hope business is good."

"Could always be better but we're doing not too badly."

"We? Would that be Deborah West?"

"As a matter of fact. You know her?"

"I think you know she put Miss Cowls on to me."

"I do... but do you know her?"

Jeremy widened his smile. We've run into one another in the past." He left Gordon gaping and strolled over to unit number eight.

Mindy opened the door a crack and nervously asked Jeremy his name then quickly pulled him inside and closed and locked the door.

"Should I be concerned?" He cracked, watching her actions.

"I don't find this funny at all." She went and sat on the edge of the bed wringing her hands.

"First off, do you have anything to drink?"

"This isn't a party, Mr. Callum."

"Certainly not for me." He wandered around the room and picked up a wrapped glass from the dresser. "Mind if I get some water?"

Her look was desolate and she almost started to weep.

"Hey, let me wet my whistle and then tell me your problem. Deborah said you wanted to report something to the state police. Something wrong with the local sheriff?" He stepped into the bathroom and filled the glass from the tap.

Mindy dug out her folder and spread it on the bed then launched into her tale, starting all the way back in Kansas. Several glasses of water later, Jeremy sat beside her on the bed leafing through the files and shaking his head.

"This is big, Miss Cowls." He tossed the file on the bed. "Clifford Whyst will be a formidable opponent."

"I've already experienced the temper of Mr. Whyst."

"That was probably more over interrupting his golf game than the news about Jeannette."

"You sound as though you are familiar with her... I mean on terms more than just knowing who she is."

"Let's just say I have acquaintances who know her quite well and in spite of our image bluster, men do gossip." He stood and stretched with a grunt. "Sat too long. Everything locks up."

"What can you tell me to do?"

Jeremy puckered his lips and frowned. "My advice would be to get a good lawyer and let him carry the facts through this minefield. You need some experience on your side, Miss Cowls, more than I can offer. As for going to the state police, it's a good idea but it will mean a lot of questions and an investigation of you as well as your facts before they would dare brace Whyst. Clifford Whyst has a very long reach."

"But it's not him I'm after!"

"Nevertheless, it's his property you're threatening."

"Property?"

"Read your own file. She hooked up with him because of his money and position. Don't think she got it for nothing. I'll wager she's locked up tight with a pre-nup. He owns her. She may not realize it, but he owns her."

"Then why would he worry?"

"He won't. He'll just rain bucks on the situation to make it all go away."

Mindy looked down at her hands and her shoulders slumped.

"I've spent so much time and effort on this. The people I represent are counting on me, they need the money."

"Get it from Clifford and save yourself the grief. He could probably build your client's building with what's in his wallet."

"I expected something a little more ethical from a former officer of the law."

"If you want ethics, get yourself a good lawyer like I said. Turn the case over to him and let him run with it."

"Do you know a good, ethical lawyer?"

"Nope."

Mindy sagged and her eyes teared up. "Great. Just great."

"I do know a lawyer that can get the job done though."

She gave him a cautious stare.

"He'll want a sizeable chunk of whatever he can wring from them but there should be plenty left for your clients."

"He's crooked isn't he?"

"Let's just say he's experienced and very thorough."

"You wouldn't put me out on a limb would you, Mr. Callum?'

"No ma'am, I wouldn't. I can safely say that if you use this source you will be completely protected in every way." He waited, watching her struggle with the idea then sat down beside her again. "Let me lay out a few options you might consider. It's not advice to be taken lightly but it might give you a different perspective on your problem."

It took nearly an hour before Jeremy stood again with a grunt and told her that was the best he could offer.

"I can still get you that lawyer if you want."

"Maybe I could talk to him first?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way. I'll set it up and give you a call." He held out his hand and they shook. "It might be a day or so, I can't promise."

"I'll try and keep this room for another couple of days. Thank you, Mr. Callum; you've given me a lot to think about."

He nodded and left her room, striding quickly across the court and out the front door.

"Wonder how that went." Gordon mused, as he watched the retired cop leave.

"I'll go and find out."

"Deborah, how about staying out of it. We really don't need to be poking sticks into Clifford Whyst's life."

"I got her the introduction; I'd like to know how it turned out. You just asked the same thing."

"It was rhetorical. How do you know him anyway?"

"We met quite a while ago."

"Yes? And?"

"And nothing. It was some business or other when I out with the girls one night... before I met you, Gordon."

"So am I partnered with some public enemy?"

"Gordon, grow up."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't know teaming up with someone meant not knowing their background. Will your mystery relationship solve your adopted problem?"

"Well I'm going to ask her."

"Fine, I'll work on a, for sale advertisement."

"Don't be so ridiculous." She pushed out of the office door and headed for Mindy's room.