"Sheriff, I really think this is unacceptable to be talking to you like this in front of everybody..." remarked Claudius, looking suspiciously at everyone and turning slightly red preemptively at the thought of the subject matter he was about to discuss.

"Go on, Claudius," Reynold replied, though his eyes remained on Marshal De La Cruz, "we're all trustable, no doubt. What is your issue?"

Claudius seemed to waver as to go on. Finally, he let out a sigh. "Very well. But if any of you so as mention this to someone else, I will take you to court."

Classie smiled wide at her brother. "Aw, Claudius, you're so good at knowing what is or isn't worth going to court over."

"What's the sensitive subject you keep mentioning?" pried Deputy Alcott. The suspense was killing him ever since it was implied it pertained to grown-up matters.

Claudius began: "Well, as is the case for many Fox Den residents, the Cavanaugh family banks at the Fox Den National Bank. We even have a safe deposit box there for more physical valuables besides money. You know, jewelry, watches, deeds, and so forth. We only have one deposit box so we all share it- but we are respectful of one another's items; for example, I noticed a few months ago my sister Classie had put a large envelope in the box but, as it was hers, I dared not see what it was as I expect the same courtesy of her for my things. All I knew was she felt its contents were of value, so I never thought to look at it further."

"But then yesterday, the Fox Den National Bank was robbed, and many safe deposit boxes - the Cavanaugh family's included- were pilfered by the robber with extraordinary strength. Of course, I knew what items of mine were in the safe deposit box and went missing, but I did not know all that Classie had put in. I asked her to make an inventory so that when the robber is caught we know. She at that time revealed the contents of the envelope- oh, if only I had asked sooner!"

Deputy Alcott had little patience for the dragged-out suspense. He turned to Classie. "So, what was in that envelope?"

"Topless photos," she replied equally blunt with a nonchalant giggle. Claudius, however, was less enthused.

"-Oh, Classie! How you try and play it off like no big deal, but I know you are hurting! You needn't feel compelled to describe them that way. Your reputation is in the hands of someone else!"

Her reputation is that she's always in the hands of someone else, mused Reynold, though kept his mouth shut.

"Well, it sounds like your sister is comfortable discussing her...adult photos," remarked De La Cruz, "she put them in the safe deposit box. Why, she even must have willingly posed for them."

"Are you judging my sister's character, marshal?" Claudius turned with an accusatory finger. "I may respect your bravery when hunting down dangerous criminals, but I will not tolerate slander against my family and its members."

"I did pose for them," shrugged Classie, again not sharing her brother's concern. Claudius spun back towards her.

"Yes, my dear, you did, but you did it for personal use. To capture the spirit of youth while still youthful yourself. Not for public consumption like some prostitute. Rather, for artistic merit."

"Yes," she nodded, "I took the photos for Art."

Sheriff Reynold rolled his eyes. Incidentally, Claudius was missing his sister's meaning. He was assuming she meant art for aesthetic sake. What she really meant, the sheriff could glean, was the photos were taken for Art, as in Arthur "Art" Aurelio, a well-proportioned farmhand who was as skilled at Faro and she was at charming women, even those far more prudent than Classie. No doubt if there were reason for the sheriff to search Art's bunk, a copy of the very photo in question would be found.

"So, you see, if only I'd have known in her young foolishness she was thinking of taking such photos I would have never have allowed her, even if they were just for herself! If I had known prior to yesterday, I would've told Classie to destroy these prints now that her artistic enjoyment was done," explained Claudius, "but I only just learned of their existence yesterday, after that robber made off with them, too late for my legal guidance. Who knows what he'll do once he discovers them amongst his haul or how he'll try to use them to besmirch my poor sister!"

"...how would he besmirch her?" asked De La Cruz. It wasn't hard for him to pick up on the kind of girl Classie was.

"Why, by sharing her picture around town! Think of her virtue!" Claudius sounded serious.

"What virtue?" Sheriff Reynold softy slipped out before catching himself. Luckily, Claudius did not hear.

Alcott was fascinated by Claudius's tale and Classie's immoral pictures, as a young man typically is. "Say...Classie," he said, slightly blushing, "I think in order for the sheriff and I to find your photos we're going to need to know exactly what we're looking for; did you keep any copies outside of your safe deposit box?"

"-Okay, well," the marshal clapped his hands together, "that's it then? The important matter you'd like kept discreet?"

Claudius seemed slightly taken aback at the lack of emotion. "Well...yes. Lost photos like that of a family member are always cause for concern."

"We will be on the lookout for your sister's photos should they come up in the evidence once the bank robber is found. Which, frankly, I believe will also be at the same time we find Sam and Flat, as despite the sheriff's insistence, I believe all these men are working together. Strange how Flat and Sam have coincidentally gone missing at the same time the robber has."

Classie suddenly perked up. "Oh, you don't know where Sam and Flat are? I saw them this morning."

Everyone's eyes lit up, but for different reasons.

"I was hanging the laundry up to dry," she continued, "and I looked up and saw them heading up the mountainside. "

Reynold had to clench his jaw. It was true, the Cavanaughs lived on the south side of Fox Den and would be able to see some of the happenings by the mountains.

The marshal did not disguise his interest. "Really? You're certain it was them?"

"Yes, I never forget the face of a man I've kissed and I've kissed both."

Claudius began to cough in a failed attempt to drown out his sister's less-than-innocent confession, though it didn't work.

The marshal pushed further: "do you know why they were going up the mountain this morning?"

"No, all I could see was they were talking to each other. There's nothing up there except Cheyenne Crossing Caves, though, and I have no idea why they'd want to go there..."

The marshal gazed at the sheriff. "Cheyenne Crossing Caves. I guess we know where we're heading next."

Sheriff Reynold did his best to keep a straight face.