“Well,” said De La Cruz, gritting his teeth, “now that the cat’s out of the bag, you want to let me know about the bank robbery that happened here yesterday?”

He stared intently at Sheriff Reynold who played it off as no big deal. “You’re here to catch specific criminals. Didn’t think it would be of any great concern for you. Besides, we’re handling it.”

“Like you’ve been handling Ghortfash’s disappearance? Then you'll still not have the bank robbery solved in twenty years.”

“I certainly hope it’s solved sooner than that, sheriff!” cut in Claudius, “as I said, my sister and I need to speak with you in privately...at once!”

“I can assure you the bank robbery has nothing to do with your outlaws, marshal," Reynold replied, “witnesses saw the criminal. He was clearly acting alone and looked nothing like either-“

“-Sheriff, how much crime happens in Fox Den in say, oh, a given week?” the marshal interrupted.

“What?”

“Would you say there’s a lot of crime?”

“I…I wouldn’t say there’s a lot, no.”

Classie gave a big smile in the direction of Reynold. “I must say, as a private citizen, Sheriff Reynold does a marvelous job keeping us safe. Why, when I’m walking home at two, three, even four in the morning I feel perfectly fine out on the streets. Even on nights I’ve had a few too many drinks.”

Her brother shot a concerned glare. “Haha, you must mean like that time when you went to Miss Diana Dupree’s bridal shower! Yes, I suppose you were out quite late for that party, but you girls get up to the silliest things when together!”

Classie began to reply but was cut off by De La Cruz. “What was the last major crime here, sheriff. I mean, apart from my reason for coming here today and, apparently, this major bank robbery that happened just yesterday.”

The sheriff went quiet. He was unsure how best to answer to satisfy the marshal and what De La Cruz seemed to be getting at. Deputy Alcott, however, had no hesitation to answer.

“Oh, there was the case last month involving Old Maid Margaret!” he cried out with certainty, “Where some unknown fiend was using her garden as a shortcut and trampling all over her flowers! She was beside herself with grief!”

“Oh, I remember reading about that in the paper,” nodded Claudius, “I felt so sorry for the poor woman.”

Marshal De La Cruz stared blankly at the boy deputy.

“Don’t worry, marshal,” Alcott continued, “Sheriff Reynold caught the guy. Turned out it wasn’t a guy at all, but rather a stray coyote that for some reason took a liking to Old Maid Margaret’s yard.”

“So, to my point,” the marshal remarked, “the crime rate here is nothing. Then, in a matter of twenty-four hours, the bank is robbed in broad daylight and two known fugitives from justice go missing. That sounds to me like the cases may be related.”

“Flat and Sam are involved with the bank robbery too?!?” exclaimed Alcott, his eyes going wide with surprise. “I never would have put two and two together! You’re so smart, marshal!”

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“Wait, Sam and Flat? The two drifters who hang out by the General Store?” remarked Claudius with equal surprise, “they were involved in the bank robbery?”

“I don’t see them as bank robbers,” sighed Classie, “I mean, maybe Sam. The way he kisses is criminal, certainly, but Flat? He doesn’t kiss like a man driven to do anything that extreme-“

“-Classie, I’m sorry, we need to talk to the sheriff at once about your delicate matter,” Claudius insisted, trying to redirect conversation.

“Flat and Sam were not involved with the bank robbery yesterday,” said Reynold with confidence. The marshal continued to glare.

“And how do you know that, sheriff? They tell you as much?”

“No, of course not. But there was only one man involved in the bank robbery. Many witnesses to that. Flat and Sam work as a pair. That’s clear proof right there they aren’t involved.”

“And this bank robber couldn’t be a friend of theirs? They’re criminals, surely they know others like themselves.”

“Wait a moment,” said Claudius, holding up his hand, “Flat and Sam, the two drifters who hang out by the General Store…are those the men you’re here seeking for federal crimes, marshal?”

“Yes, I’ve come to town to collect them for horse thievery in Kansas.”

“I walk by those two men every day when I come into town!” the would-be lawyer shook his head. “All this time I’ve been passing by wanted men and never knew...”

“Well, your sheriff here has known they were wanted for a week,” grumbled the marshal, “and apparently did not feel there was any reason to apprehend them on just my word. Same as he doesn’t feel there’s any reason to think Flat and Sam were connected to the bank robbery.”

“-I don’t like the way Sam looks at my sister, sheriff,” continued Claudius with concern, “if he is connected to the bank robbery I absolutely must insist we talk right now over here in private-”

"-Flat and Sam are not connected to the bank robbery!” Reynold yelled, albeit with a bit more obvious frustration that intended. It startled all present, leaving an awkward silence in its wake.

The sheriff collected himself. “What I mean to say is…I have very good reason to know the two are not connected to the bank robbery.”

“…and you have evidence? Some sort of proof?” pressed Marshal De La Cruz.

“Yes, I do.”

“Well, what is it?”

“I do not feel like sharing at this time. But when the time is right-”

“Oh, poppycock!” the marshal stomped his foot. “There’s something not right going on around here, Reynold. It’s started ever since Gabriel Ghortfash went missing. Out with it! You know things that you don’t want us knowing? You better start sharing or so help me God, I will pull every string I can to have you arrested.”

“But he’s the sheriff!” defended Alcott, stunned that one of his heroes would be talking that way to his supervisor, “Sheriff Reynold has been a fine sheriff in Fox Den! You can’t arrest him!”

“He's not gonna arrest me,” nodded Reynold, turning his gaze back to De La Cruz. “I don’t what it is you think I did back then, marshal, but you’ve got me all wrong. Don’t be throwing threats around you’re going to regret later.”

Classie seemed to be enjoying the arguing men with a devious smile on her face. “Ooo, look how handsome they both get when they’re hot and bothered,” she cooed to her brother.

Claudius ignored his sister. He took the opportunity to step in between the sheriff and marshal.

“Fellow, it’s a hot day out here,” he said sagely, “I can’t say I understand fully what’s going on. But I think it’d be best for us all if we step back a minute and cool down. Marshal, please, why don’t you come over here to the shade. Sheriff, why don’t you come over here and my sister and I can talk to you in private about our sensitive situation. Because if you have information about the robber, however private you want to keep it right now, I think it’s imperative you know how badly we need your help and discretion in this matter-”

“-Claudius,” grumbled Reynold, “I’m standing where I’m standing. If you got something you want to talk about with me, spit it out.”

“But…but…” Claudius glanced to the others present, “out here in the street…it wouldn’t be proper-“

“-It’s here or not at all, Claudius. Let the marshal hear too. I wouldn’t want him to think I make a habit of keeping more secrets than I need to.”

“Oh, you’re going to like this, marshal,” purred Classie, seemingly unconcerned about everything, “it’s reallllly scandalous.”