She went into the bathroom and checked her makeup, hair and did a detailed inventory of her outfits, deciding on the translucent blouse and the snug skirt to go with the high heels. This was her battlefield and it was here she controlled the action. She strode back to the living room and selected her music then called down to the desk for a selection of wine to be sent up along with a tray of appetizers; the chef would know what she liked.

She decided that if they both showed up and overlapped, she would put Wilfred off until another time; Rob was the one she needed at the moment. His clout with the police and the courts would be needed if she hoped to evade the attack by Mindy Cowls.

The door chime sounded and she went and admitted the room service waiter, directing him to place the cart alongside the settee adjacent to the sofa. He efficiently placed the appetizer tray on the table between them and set out the wine selection, asking if she wished any particular one opened first.

"I think the chardonnay. We'll probably move to the reds a little later." He allowed a minute smirk and bowed gracefully, opening the wine and setting it in the silver ice stand.

"Can I do anything else for you, Mrs. Whyst?" His proximity blared the double meaning of his question and she patted his cheek in a motherly fashion and steered him from the room.

Jeannette poured herself a small glass of the wine and mused about accessing the young man later if things went well. It certainly couldn't hurt having a hotel employee to be her fly on the wall. The phone rang again and she was informed that she had a visitor who would be arriving at the service entrance and taking the service elevator to her floor. Since they had no idea who it was the desk manager wanted confirmation before admitting anyone to the hotel on her behalf.

"It's fine, Rodney. I'm expecting the party. We are having a business consult and identities are a desired currency with regard to our meetings."

"I understand completely, Mrs. Whyst. Your meeting will be off the record with our staff."

"I appreciate that, Rodney and see that my husband's account reflects that would you."

"Thank you, Mrs. Whyst that is very generous."

"And Rodney, the young man who delivered my order . . ."

"Carter, ma'am. Lonnie Carter."

"Yes. Thank you again, Rodney."

So, she smiled, Rob decided what was in his best interest after all. She checked the mirror again and then paused near the door and awaited his arrival. The chime went and she shook her head, assumed a smile and opened the door.

"Mayor Brewster, what a pleasure."

Rob barged in and stood staring around the room. He saw the table with the appetizers and the ice bucket of wine and set his jaw defiantly.

"I'm so glad you decided to come." She took his reluctant arm and led him to the seats. He broke free and chose a spot on the large sofa. Jeannette smiled and sat on the settee, turned toward him and crossed her legs.

"Can I offer you a glass of wine?"

"I didn't come here to socialize, Jeannette."

She reached over and took a tiny cheese covered cracker and placed it in her mouth, chewing thoughtfully.

"No, Mr. Mayor, you came here because you are concerned about my request for a favour."

"Okay fine. What favour?"

Jeannette poured two glasses of wine and pushed one across the table toward him. Rob didn't move, he just stared at her.

"I have a story to tell you. It's not a pretty one and it leaves me quite vulnerable but it's necessary to explain my request."

"I haven't got all day, Jeannette."

"Relax, Rob, and have some wine. It will take a few minutes."

When the story was finished so was a second glass of wine for Rob and now he sat with his mouth agape, musing over the possible advantage of her confession but suspicious as to why she made it. He filled his glass again and helped himself to an appetizer.

"That's one hell of a tale, Jeannette. Why are you telling me this?"

"That's the favour part, Rob. I need you to use your influence with the chief and Judge Wilks to come up with a way to stop her. Tell her she can't practice here because she's out of state; her license is no good. Drown her in paperwork- something. Or failing that, convince Clifford to let it all be shoved well under the carpet."

"That's a non-starter. I have absolutely no pull with your husband."

"Okay then, my first suggestion."

"Why should I do this for you? You threatened to expose me and endanger my position as Mayor. What's the game, Jeannette?"

"The game is on of big stakes, Rob. I don't plan on having everything I've achieved here in Santa Gordo to go down the drain over this business. There's a possibility of a very advantageous partnership if you can get this buried."

"A partnership with you? That would be like curling up with a cannibal."

"If you don't want your reputation on the internet for all to admire you had better do this favour and do it fast, Rob."

"I can't guarantee the law will just bend over for me, hell, I'm only just in the damned office, Jeannette. Besides, what would keep me from doing the same thing to you with this fraud business?"

"Without proof it's slander, Rob. Just call in some of your favours."

"My favours! I'm the one who owes bloody favours. These people agreed to support me for their benefit for Christ's sake."

"Then speak to Clifford."

He dropped his head and sat slumped. Jeannette rambled on about his options and how long he'd be in office if she released her video and how, if they worked together, they might find each other a very useful ally.

Cornered and defensive, Rob reluctantly agreed to see what he could do, all the while thinking ahead to the moment he could rip Jeannette's head off her shoulders. She softened her attitude and saw him to the door with a tentative peck on the cheek then hurried back as the room phone jangled again.

"Yes. Rodney?"

"A uhm- another gentleman to see you Mrs. Whyst. A Mr. Putnam."

"I'm expecting him, Rodney. Send him right up please."

Another rush to the bathroom to check her appearance. A quick clean up of the wine glasses and appetizers and then a deep breath as she walked to the door and admitted Wilfred Putnam, Clifford's lawyer.

"Willie, how grand you look." She gave him a brief hug.

"This is not social, Jeannette." He marched across the room and sat on the settee, briefcase on the seat beside him.

"My, my. So serious, Willie." She sat where Rob had been and felt the warmth still on the cushion.

"It's serious business, Jeannette. This felony you have been accused of is the basis for Clifford's charge of fraud in the case of your marriage."

She looked stunned. "Are you joking? He was the one pursuing me on the ship, ask anyone- the other passengers. The crew for God's sake. Fraud? That is patently absurd, Willie."

"I rather think that Clifford's word will carry considerably more weight that that of a fugitive felon. If this Miss Cowls gets her case before the courts, I fear you will be back in Kansas on charges and likely in jail thereafter." Wilfred eyed the wine bottle and the empty glasses. "May I?"

She nodded absently and watched him fill both, handing her one.

"Clifford wants this all to go away. He wants me to bury Miss Cowls in paperwork if she gets to court, or he wants me to find another way to deter her attempts."

"What did he say about me?" She clutched the wine glass like a life preserver.

"You are, I'm afraid, now relegated to a no profile golf widow with your only privileges being those granted by Clifford."

Jeannette saw her future likened to a nunnery. "That is just not on, Willie." She went into survival mode, her wile kicking in, summoning all the ammunition she had stored over the years.

"First off, you will bury this woman and secondly, you will change Clifford's mind or he will have a complete record of your behavior behind his back and I mean complete. Videos. Audios and hard copy communications."

"You can't—"

"Oh yes I can, Willie, and in heartbeat. If I go down, a lot of big names in this town go down with me. Clifford had better realize that."

"This will come back to haunt you, Jeannette. Someday—"

"I'm only concerned about today, Willie." She banged her wine glass down on the table, spilling the contents, and stood, arms folded, eyes burning.

"You know what this would do to Gwen..."

"You should have thought of that when you were under my bedcovers."

"You are really evil, Jeannette." He stood shakily, retrieving his briefcase and shuffled toward the door.

"Give Gwen my love." She called cruelly after him. The door closed quietly and she stood a moment fuming before retreating into uncertainty and fear. This could not happen to her. Not now.