"Dear Deborah West,

Enclosed is a cheque for a sum that we felt was fair and deserving for your assistance when I was staying with you. I know it didn't seem at the time like I cared but my introduction to Jeremy Callum has turned out to be a dream come true.

At the moment we are aboard a sixty-foot sailing boat heading for St. Thomas and, we hope, a long lazy honeymoon. You may think poorly of me when you learn that I took all the money, changed my name, and ran. It's ironic I suppose considering why I was chasing it in the first place but I salved my conscience by sending the church enough to rebuild their program so nobody really lost except Jeannette, I hear. Served her right I say.

As for Jeremy, when he came to see me we had a long talk about the options I had for succeeding with my case. One was exactly what we did- it was the best by far and he is such a darling man; we totally fell for one another and are now married.

Say hello to Gordon for me and don't feel awkward about the cheque; it is a very small part of what the good men of Santa Gordo paid me for my silence. In closing let me say that your hotel was a delight and I really did enjoy my stay in spite of the troubles. Perhaps Jeremy and I will get back there one day.

With gratitude,

Tania Squire (MC)

Do you believe that? Holy crap, what did you do for her anyway?"

"Just introduced her to Jeremy. Can you believe him! I wouldn't have thought in a million years . . ."

"She says she heard about Jeannette. How do you suppose that worked?"

"Same way this cheque found us while they were at sea. Did you check out the postmark?"

Gordon found the envelope and huffed in surprise. "It's from here!"

"Bet you a dollar that T.L. Redbird is Jeremy's source for local info and also his middle man for sending mail."

"Son-of-a-bitch!" He looked at the cheque again. "Guess this will keep you in plenty of little outfits for a while."

She set her drink down and wriggled her way over to his side, putting her arms about his neck.

"That money is going toward the things we need to get this place in shape."

"But that's not fair. She sent it to you, Deb."

"Listen, it's found money. Besides, with your generous remuneration from the council, we'll have plenty for little outfits."

They kissed and would have continued to another level except the telephone rang. Gordon jumped up and ran to the office.

"Yes, Posada de Jardines."

"Gordon, it's Miranda, I was just saying to Betts, we need Gordon for this task, didn't I Betts?" She obviously turned from the phone to question her sister and Gordon groaned.

"What's the task, Miranda?"

"The kitchen tap drips and we think you should get ahead of the problem, don't we Betts." A murmur from the background.

"I'll get to that as soon as possible, Miranda, and thanks for reporting the incident."

"Well we all have to be responsible to make things work properly."

"Right. Thanks again." He hung up before he was subjected to another grunt from Betts.

Deborah was laughing when he returned, having heard his side of the conversation.

"Go ahead, laugh. Maybe we could use that money to brick those two in their room and just close that part of the hotel."

"Let's have some dinner. Drippy taps can damn well wait."

*********************

"Your first official act will be to swear in the new council, Warren." Judge Wilks blew a fog of blue smoke from his cigar across his desk. "You know we've conceded a seat to this Hardy fellow and we know he's going to be a bit of a burr from time to time so diplomacy will be a large part of your approach."

"A thicker saddle blanket will take care of Hardy, Judge. I can handle the council business just fine. A bigger worry is Marchmount. His nose is considerably out of joint at being passed over."

"Bradley can disjoint his nose all he wants, we're thinking of even keeping him off the council and uhm- there's something you should be aware of." The Judge fussed with his tie and cleared his throat.

"Out with it Bernie, I'm steeled."

"Maybe. We have agreed, due to a series of correspondence with Jeremy Callum, that T.L.Redbird will have a seat on council."

Warren's face broke into a huge grin, which slid away as he looked at the Judge. "You're serious?"

"Afraid so. Seems Jeremy somehow got hold of the papers we signed with Miss Cowls and decided to lever his advantage. There really is no choice, Warren but Jeremy swears that's all he's after and will not bother us again as long as Redbird is on council."

"You know what this means, Bernie?"

"I do. Passing our little suggestions will be considerably more difficult."

Difficult! Shit, blankets and mirrors aren't going to satisfy that savage; he's gonna milk the Mayor's office dry."

"Life's challenges, Warren. Which is worse, Redbird or Jeannette?"

"Christ, we already gave away a seat to Hardy, that cuts our voting power to just one extra for a majority."

"Then it's up to the new Mayor to make things work for all of us, Warren."

"I guess I'll have to pack a lot more socks and underwear for the long haul."

"Don't forget those blankets and mirrors."

The inauguration of the new Mayor and council took place at the end of the summer and the town of Santa Gordo began seeing some interesting changes in the promotion of tourism for the hoteliers, restaurateurs and merchants. It was known as the Hardy Campaign and was supported unanimously.

Local Indian businesses also made gains through their own representative and a new negotiation for land leases finally passed a stubborn opposition. T.L.Redbird became a local hero.

Clifford Whyst increased his attention to golf, if that was even possible, and won the gratitude and friendship of those who played against him and lost, by enjoying the Colonial Palm entertainment suite. Opponents approached future games with the intention of losing and Clifford couldn't have cared less.

Jeannette and her few remaining women friends saw their world shrink to the Colonial Palms property and their social life an endless round of pleasing Clifford's friends. Two of the women divorced and another chose to leave everything behind and flee the state.

Posada de Jardines grew in popularity and with the extensive renovations made possible by Tania's cheque, began outdrawing some of the more established hotels. Deborah and Gordon continued their relationship as before, each acknowledging that now and then there might be some wandering but it was recreational only. Gordon couldn't believe his luck, not that he had many advantages, unlike Deborah who still dashed off with the remaining girls to lunches and sleepovers.

In the end, Gordon was content to sit in his office and muse on his good fortune and enjoy watching his guests enjoy themselves. Even Miranda and Betts couldn't dent the absolute feeling of solid comfort.

THE END