Judge Wilks ordered his aide to track down Wilfred Putnam and get him into the office post haste. He then settled himself behind his large desk and took several deep breaths. Desperate times called for desperate measures and for a number of men in Santa Gordo, Jeannette Whyst was creating desperate times.

Twenty minutes later Wilfred Putnam entered the judge's Chamber and took a seat across from him.

"Bernard, your aide said this was extremely urgent."

"He was right. Without the sugar, Will, Jeannette Whyst has found herself in a mess of trouble and is twisting balls-- hard."

"You surprise me, Bernard, I was hoping there was at least one pillar of our community she hadn't sullied."

"Be that as it may, I'm proposing a joint effort to thwart this woman's threats."

"How exactly?"

"We trade all the unsavory material she has collected and a signed confession by Jeannette of her guilt in the fraud, in exchange for squashing the charges here in Santa Gordo and removing the threat of extradition. If she reneges at any time we just take a stand and fire her off to jail and extradite her to Kansas faster than Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz."

"It's risky, Bernard." Wilfred framed a concerned frown, thinking of how he might make it work.

"Either way, Will, I'd sooner go down in fiery heap with her as the tinder than face my wife if Jeannette contacted her."

"This is very interesting because I just left her a while ago and she threatened me with exactly that if I didn't get the charge tossed or at least buried the detective in so much legalese crap that she surrendered on her own."

"What about this woman, is there chance there of doing anything?"

"I was going to track her down and see but that would leave Jeannette in control still. I think I like your plan better." Wilfred sighed and stood in front of the desk looking down at his old friend. "Clifford wants the case squashed as well, which might make our scenario a little more difficult."

"Find out who else she's squeezing on this and we'll join forces and present a united front to Clifford. He has to see the havoc she could create in this town."

"Christ, Bernard. We'd be telling the man we'd all been with his wife!"

"Hell I can't see where he would really care; Clifford is probably the only one who hasn't been with her. His golf fetish does more damage to his so called marriage for heaven's sake." Bernard heaved a noisy breath and leaned forward on his desk. "We could say something about the family reputation, blah, blah. The standing in the community etcetera. If she refuses, Will, then we are all sunk-- some deeper than others."

Wilfred's cell phone vibrated and he checked the screen before asking permission to answer.

"Go ahead." Bernard waved a regal hand.

"Warren, I'm a little busy at the moment, can I call you back in a few minutes?"

"Not too long, Wilfred, we've got some horses to wrangle."

"Give me ten minutes." He closed his phone and looked at the judge. "Warren Biggs. I think the endangered males of Santa Gordo are circling the wagons."

"I can tell that was Warren by your analogous reference. Maybe this will be easier than we thought."

"I'll keep in touch, Bernard." Wilfred left and when he was outside the courthouse he called Warren back.

"I'm at Cutter's, Wilfred. Can you meet me here now?"

"A little early in the day for that isn't it, Warren?"

"I like the privacy."

Wilfred took his car and parked behind the popular men's club, entering through the rear doors and finding Warren in a secluded corner booth.

"Care for anything?"

"Just a coffee."

Warren raised his hand and a bosomy server glided up to the table to take the order.

"I'll cut right to the chase, Wilfred. Jeannette Whyst."

Wilfred sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I assumed as much."

"What's Clifford's position?'

"Honestly? He wants the investigator squashed along with any and all charges and Jeannette's life will be one of a dutiful domestic with a strict allowance."

"No way."

"Yes, way, Warren." They paused while Wilfred's coffee arrived with tip-seeking attention and a generous display of cleavage.

"Can you do that? That still wouldn't be a grand solution for a lot of people. It might lower the heat and keep the fat from splattering but--"

Wilfred winced at the analogy, smiling regretfully at the server.

"Jeannette has threatened a counter attack, which will, if you'll permit, splatter more than fat."

Warren's smile faded and he nodded slowly. "I understand."

"There is a possibility we might cap this well," he gave Warren a small smirk. And went on to outline the scheme he and the judge had devised. "But everyone has to be on board, sink or swim."

"I say go for it." Warren enthused. "The Mayor will wave the flag at the barricades along with everyone else."

"Your sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Right. Next thing, or first thing actually, is we confront this Miss Cowls and explain where the lines are." Wilfred scratched his neck and gave a small cough.

"Uh- about that. I've heard that Jeremy Callum has been to see her."

Wilfred sat up. "What? Why? Oh no- she's looking for the state police to poke their noses into this. Dimes'll get you dollars he's recommended his lawyer buddy."

"You mean, T.L. Redbird?"

"We need to get to her right now." Wilfred whipped out his phone and advised the judge what was happening and that he should make some moves to block whatever Redbird might try.

"She's at Posada de Jardines. That's the place that young Hardy owns, the one she used to lodge her friends for Rob's party."

"Set up camp in the middle of the opposition, did she?"

"We're not sure. Hardy has a woman partner and they're pretty close according to the drums." Warren said, with his usual ad-speak.

"Let's go."

"What, you want me there?"

"I thought you were on board, Warren."

"I said Rob would be carrying the flag."

"If you want a continuing career in this town you'll come with me." Wilfred's threat landed with a leaden thump.

"I'll drive."

"Who are those two men coming in the back and across the patio?" Deborah shaded her eyes and looked out the office window. Gordon peered around her and recognized Warren Biggs, one of the town councilors.

"Councilman Biggs. I don't know the other guy."

"What do they want?"

"Well I don't know, do I?"

The men came through the glass doors from the patio and into the tiny office.

"Mr. Hardy? Good morning. Warren Biggs and this is Wilfred Putnam." A politician's hand shot out and gave Gordon's a vigorous shake before turning to Deborah. "You must be Miss West, pleasure and delight." Hands shook all around.

"You wish to rent a room?" Gordon asked, eyeing the acid look from the man named Putnam.

"Hah, ha, no- no we'd uhm- we'd like to speak with one of your guests. A Miss Cowls." Warren beamed broadly.

Deborah looked at Gordon and he gave a subtle shrug.

"I believe Miss Cowls already has a visitor." Deborah stalled.

"Could you call her and see?" Wilfred asked, sensing the reluctance. He felt there was a defensive posture building and wondered just how large the forces aligning with Cowls might be.

Gordon dialed the room number and told Mindy there were two gentlemen wishing to see her and who they were. He listened for a moment and then hung up.

"She says she will be through in about ten minutes if you would care to wait . . . out on the patio."

Warren smiled through clenched teeth and opened the door for Wilfred leading him outside and in an indecisive circuit of the lounges looking for some shade.