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will hand him over to you and nothing will be said.”
    â€œWill his criminal record be wiped clean?” Chet asked.
    â€œNo. That costs another thousand.”
    â€œI think we can get a new trial and his sentence set aside.”
    â€œBut that will cost you more money than their offer.”
    â€œBut it may straighten out this county court system and the sheriff.”
    Raines shook his head. “Not in New Mexico.”
    â€œWe’ll see. They’ve denied me access to JD. They’ve ignored my Marshal badge. They did the trial in Spanish and had no interpreter for him. The whole thing was a frame-up and the sheriff and deputies sold the horses for their own gain. I’m not biting on this buy-out offer. My lawyer is coming from Santa Fe.”
    â€œWho is that?”
    â€œHerman Thomas.”
    Raines’ eyes flew open. “He’s real expensive.”
    â€œI told you I was getting this straightened out. I’m not a lawyer, but I know a few things. And when I get done, the sheriff may have a new look at things. Perhaps from behind bars.”
    Raines gave up. Chet could tell the man had collapsed after the cash offer was turned down. His mention that a high-powered lawyer was coming might shake some fear into all of them. The threat of expensive lawyers had its way of impressing people.
    â€œThe meeting is at noon tomorrow in Judge Penso’s office. You don’t need your men there.” He motioned toward Jesus.
    â€œThey go where I go.”
    Raines shrugged. He left his half-eaten breakfast on the plate and hurried out the café’s front door.
    Their waitress shook her head. “He didn’t pay for his meal. Is he coming back?”
    â€œI’ll pay for it. He’s upset.”
    â€œHe must be.” She took his plate of food and went back in the kitchen.
    â€œWill we have trouble in the morning at the courthouse?” Jesus asked.
    â€œWith him for a lawyer, we may. If our man arrives, I think they will take notice and he may solve it.”
    â€œHe’s that powerful?”
    Chet nodded. There was something afoot and he wasn’t certain with Raines running around—maybe looking for a counter offer before the meeting. He had already cut it to half of what that Texan paid. But they still made no offer to clear JD’s name. That might come later.
    Back in his room, he wrote Marge a long letter about everything happening in New Mexico—but left Antoinette Carmichael out of it. Marge might think she was competition. He had no intention of telling her. It had been a nice interlude, but, in fact, he’d rather have been at home with her. The letter was about finished when there was a knock on the door.
    When he opened it, an out-of-breath Raines stood there.
    â€œWe are meeting in the sheriff’s office in ten minutes.”
    â€œOh? What for?”
    â€œHe wants to talk.”
    Jesus walked up behind Raines. “Need me?”
    â€œYes. Get your coat on. We’re going to the courthouse.” He turned to Raines. “I don’t intend to pay him a damn thing. You have that right?”
    â€œI understand. Oh, the courthouse is closed today, so go in the back door.”
    â€œWe can do that.”
    â€œSee you there.” Raines rushed off.
    â€œWhat now?” Jesus asked.
    Chet smiled. “I think we may have a deal cut.”
    â€œShould I wake Cole and get him up?”
    â€œSure. I’ll tag along.”
    Jesus threw the hotel door open. “Cole. Wake up. We’ve just got more news. The boss thinks they want to settle with him.”
    â€œYou serious? I’m getting dressed. Be ready in a minute.” Cole threw his covers back and reached for his pants.
    When they started toward the courthouse, the sun was warming things up. Chet figured it was close to ten. Not that time bothered him, but there was a lot to do and think about. Up in the north, Sarge was delivering six hundred