“But what guarantee do I have that you won’t change your mind and sell to somebody else in the meantime?” Tex said. “Or raise the price on me? I think we need to draw up a contract to protect my interests.”

“A contract?” Waterson echoed with a worried frown.

“Yes, a right of first refusal. That way we’re both protected. I can’t back out and you can’t sell to somebody else without giving me a chance to buy the land.”

“And what recourse do I have if you do back out?” Waterson asked.

“I have to put down some earnest money, and you’ll get to keep it if I don’t buy the land, but don’t worry. I wouldn’t pay a lawyer to draw up this contract if I wasn’t sure I wanted this deal. Nothing could stop me now.” He pulled out his gold pocket watch. “If you aren’t busy now, I can telephone my attorney and he can draw up the papers while we wait.”

“I don’t know . . .” Waterson hedged.

“It’s for your own protection,” Jake said. “And it won’t cost you a thing.”

That seemed to settle it for Waterson, and they went downstairs so Tex could use the public telephone. Jake begged off on the trip to see the attorney, saying he had to get back to his office, and Tex and Waterson set out for the venerable offices of Devoss and Van Aken.

—

This was shaping up to be an interesting day, Gideon decided when Smith announced that Mr. Waterson and Mr. Coleman were here to see him. He recognized Waterson’s name from Cybil’s visit, but he had no idea who Coleman might be. The confidential message Mr. Coleman had given when he telephoned to make the appointment was that he had been recommended by Jake Miles. Since Jake was unlikely to be recommending an attorney to his friends for legitimate business, Gideon knew this was part of the Madame Ophelia project. Gideon wasn’t sure if he should be flattered or insulted that con men now trusted him to support them in their shenanigans.

Gideon had no problem guessing which man was Waterson. The side-whiskers were a dead giveaway. The other man must be Coleman, and apparently, he was an old friend of Gideon’s.

“Bates, good to see you,” he said, coming forward to shake his hand. “Thanks for seeing us on such short notice. I know how busy you are.”

“Never too busy for you, Mr. Coleman.” Gideon could see the glint of appreciation in Coleman’s eye before he turned to introduce his companion.

When the men were seated, Gideon said, “Now what can I do for you today?”