It was buying time for Adam Steele. Bookcases, writing bureau and wardrobe, a whole slew of kitchen utensils and china, a crate of carpentry tools and four water colors: all bought at auction and previously the property of a once upright citizen recently turned horizontal ex-citizen. And then it became a trying time for Steele. Seems he'd caused offense—grave offense—to some hard eyed, hard living locals by befriending a Mexican family. Quite soon it looked like it might just be dying time for Steele.