"Yoo hoo, Mr. Biggs, is that you?" Miranda called from the swing seat in front of her unit. Warren looked up and his face fell inside the automatic smile. She got up and, pulling her sister behind, toddled across the patio to where the two men had just seated themselves.

"I said to Betts, didn't I Betts, I said, that's Mr. Warren Biggs from the Mayor's office." Betty nodded eagerly.

"I'm flattered to be recognized. Thank you."

"Oh, I said to Betts, didn't I Betts, I said, let's just go over and asked Mr. Biggs about the coming annual parade. We love the parade, don't we Betts, and we go every year." Silently, Betts fairly bubbled over.

Wilfred sank back in his chair trying to disappear into the cushions while Warren expended his political showmanship, assuring the sisters that Santa Gordo wouldn't be the same if it didn't have the annual parade and that they could carry on with their day complete in that knowledge.

"Do you shovel that bullshit all the time, Biggs?"

"Can't have the troops breaking ranks, Wilfred. Next thing, you've got full lifeboats."

"Jesus."

The door to Mindy's room opened and she stepped outside, shaking the hand of a squat, square man with long grey hair braided and peeking down the back from under a felt, round domed hat. His jacket was trimmed with what looked like straw and his cowboy boots were bright red with black trim.

"Shit, it's Redbird," Wilfred muttered.

"The lawyer?" Warren said.

Wilfred snorted. "More like the bushwhacking Indian he is. This is not good."

"By golly if it isn't Wilfred Putnam, the exclusive retainee of Mr. Clifford—all I care about is golf—Whyst." Redbird waddled over to the lounges and stuck out a leathery hand. "And the Mayor's finest right hand. Howdy, Warren, T.L. Redbird at your service."

"More like that young lady's service I think."

"Well now, gosh, that's quite true. Yep, quite true. So I guess you're here to sorta enlighten Miss Cowls to the dangers of the path she's taken against your boss."

"We would like to speak with her, yes. And it's not my boss, T.L. it's his wife, just so we keep things straight."

"Of course. Clifford isn't interested at all." Redbird cocked an eyebrow and gave Wilfred a knowing smile. "I'm thinking of possibly representing her to the state judiciary for the extradition of Jeannette Whyst back to Kansas to face fraud charges."

"We would still like to have a word with her."

"Be my guest, counselor." Redbird touched the brim of his hat, winked and waddled off toward the front exit. Mindy stepped out of her room and called to see if they wanted to come in.

"She asked if she could stay another night." Deborah remarked, watching the parade of guests.

Gordon blew out a breath. "Why not. Might as well make something out of all this unwanted traffic."

"It's not that bad, Gordon."

"We have long term guests here who like to sun on the patio without a parade of lawyers and politicians traipsing in and out. And that Redbird, Jesus, the man's a walking cliché! It's off putting, Deborah."

She shot him a look then turned back to watch Mindy's room.

"What do you think they want?"

"They want her to go away would be my guess."

"Gordon she's got a good case against Jeannette. The woman is a crook."

"She's also the curator of a video museum that would have most of the high profile men in this town slitting their throats if she released any of it."

"How did you get in there then?" The remark came out before she could think and they stared at one another in stony silence. Gordon's face showed real hurt and he stood and left the office. Nice move, West, you idiot! She watched through the window as he walked down to the pop machine and helped himself to a cold drink. A couple of guests spoke to him and he answered but without his usual enthusiasm.

Deborah chewed her lip. She had blundered big time with her sarcasm and she could see that repairs were going to be needed . . . big repairs.

Mindy sat and listened to the points of view of the two visitors. She could feel the pressure that Redbird had mentioned, mounting when he told her, with an ironic chuckle, that they would be sharpening their spears and that she should be prepared to have her will tested.

"In our judgment, Miss Cowls, leaving the resolution of this situation to those of us in Santa Gordo with equally pressing reasons to see justice done would be your best option." Wilfred described a fatherly expression with warm eyes and a comforting smile.

"Judgment is exactly what I'm after, sir, only in Kansas where her crime was committed."

Warren coughed politely and leaned forward, forearms across his knees. "Miss Cowls. We are not in any way diminishing the culpability of Mrs. Whyst in this matter and I can assure you that the officials of Santa Gordo are arms locked in our stance against letting her get away with anything. What my colleague is suggesting is that you let us pull the switch here, in Santa Gordo.

There are too many important reputations that could be painted with a nasty brush if the case left our jurisdiction." He spread his hands and adopted Wilfred's smile. "Is it really worth picking the scabs off old wounds? We would be more than amenable to making compensation to your clients for their loss and putting a lid over the whole pot." He looked to Wilfred who nodded solemnly.

"Are you saying that you will buy my interest in this case with full restitution to the people I represent?" Both men sat up nodding eagerly. "You don't even know the amount!"

Wilfred held up a hand. "The amount would be the least of our concern should Mrs. Whyst be allowed to publicly face her accusers. You are an intelligent woman, Miss Cowls, you can fathom, I'm sure, the underlying reasons for this offer. There would also be a substantial benefit for your own tireless work in this matter."

Mindy stared thoughtfully at the men wondering if this might be the best solution after all. Jeremy Callum had touched on this in his list of options. She could put almost any amount, within reason, on the sum to be paid back and a bonus for herself would go a long way toward her own expenses. She stood and straightened her skirt.

"I would need to consult with my clients. They may well wish to see Mrs. Whyst reside in our own jail where they can extract maximum satisfaction for her deceit."

"Of course, I understand. I would only caution that to avoid nullifying our offer, you don't reveal the reasons. Just advise them that you have managed to regain their losses and that Mrs. Whyst has been judiciously dealt with." Wilfred stood and extended a hand. "Do we agree on that much?"

Mindy shook his hand and then Warren's.

"Peace among the tribes." He beamed. "Always the best outcome."

Wilfred presented his card and asked that she call as soon as possible with her decision.