“Oh now, that’s just swell!” Goetz spat. “You know, Captain, if there’s anything I hate more than soldiers who think they can bust up things without answering to civil law, it’s rich boys who think they can buy their way out of anything. Well, let me tell you, mister, the law in this settlement isn’t for sale. If your soldier boys keep their noses clean, they’ll get no hassles from me or mine, but if they get out of line …”
“You’ll turn them over to me without a mark on them, as we discussed earlier,” the Legionnaire finished. “That is what we were saying when the phone rang, isn’t it, Chief?”
“Oh, there won’t be a scratch on them … unless, of course, they resist arrest.”
“If any of my troops get hurt resisting arrest,” Phule said coldly, “I’ll want to see the injuries done to the arresting officer … just to be sure they ‘resisted’ before they were cuffed. “
Goetz’s face purpled again.
“My men don’t rough up suspects after they’ve been handcuffed, if that’s what you’re trying to say.”
“Then there shouldn’t be any problems between us.” Phule smiled. “Really, Chief. I didn’t come in here to pick a fight with you or to try to bribe you or anyone on your force for special considerations. If you’ll recall, the subject of money didn’t come up at all until that call came in from the Plaza, and even then only when you questioned me about it directly. I just wanted to let you know we had moved into town, and that my company will be willing to help the police on an auxiliary basis if any trouble should arise.”