Amiville.
This morning I walked into the saloon and saw Fritha there amongst the group of outlaws. I asked her to check my bandages from yesterday and she said that the wound seemed okay and there was no infection. Karan and I talked about me getting shot and then she made me some tea to help me feel better. I thanked her for being there for me last night. I decided to ride to Kansas and saw a man in the street. He introduced himself as Bo and we talked about me getting shot and he said he used to be the commander of the marshals.
“I think I need to take a ride somewhere, Bo... Before I just decide to find somewhere else to live completely.”
“Well where ever your travels lead ya, be safe,” he said and I wandered over to the livery.
“Hey Clif,” I greeted him.
“Howdy Miss Trin.”
“Guess ya heard what happened I’m sure...”
“Heard there was another hairball last night.”
“Think I need a change of scenery for a while. But I have to put the paper out this week..”
“Well, the place will still be here I’m sure.”
“If I’m even gonna bother with it... I don’t know why I try anymore, Clif.”
“Yanno Miss Trin, I understand that. Guess it’s why I retired.”
“Think I’m just gonna throw this bandange on the ground and go somewhere else before I just want to give up and find another place to live permanently.”
“Well I i know up north a bit is an area still sorta wild...”
“What about Kansas...? Colorado...?”
“Aye, I can understand. Well I haven’t been out Kansas way, recently.”
“I know Hawk’s village out there...”
“Might be an interesting ride.”
“But I’m not sure I want to turn Indian... I just... They’re bullies, it’s all they are, Clif. If I just leave town am I letting them win? I already don’t write anything about them...”
“And sadly they seem to run roughshod. Reckon it’s time to fina a safe place.”
“I’d go take a ride miss trin, see what’s out there, and then see what I wanted to do. But in the end, it’s up to you. But in the end, ya gotta protect yerself.”
“And right now..” I nodded. “I just don’t feel safe right now.”
“I don’t reckon any of us are. I’m surprised they ain’t come after me.”
I ripped off the bandage and stuffed it in the pocket of my vest. “I don’t want the memory anymore, Clif. I need to clear my head.”
“Aye, then ride, my dear lady. That always helps me.”
“I’ll see ya later, Clif.”
“Safe Paths Miss Trin.”
I rode out of town and tried to decide what to do next. It felt like it was time to move on but I was still on the fence about the decision.
Kansas.
As I was riding near Hawk’s village I heard Clif riding behind me and we greeted each other. “You out lookin for me or just out ridin yourself?”
“Just out fer a ride.”
“Ah I see. Care to join me?”
“Sure.”
We rode around looking for Hawk’s village and found it just over the mountain. We met a man named Gideon Steel who said he was a friend of Hawk’s. He said that I could relax there for a while so I tied Cleetus to a post and went to sit by the fire while Clif rode on and Gideon headed of to take care of some things.
A woman walked over and said, “Haahee sister.”
I looked up from my writing and said, “Hello. I am a friend of Hawk’s.”
“Very nice.”
“My name is Trin.”
“My name is Black Shadow Wolf.”
“Good to meet you, Miss.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“I come out here for the peace and quiet... I feel safer here..”
“Yes is quiet place. Need to go now.”
“Safe paths.”
“Safe paths,” she said and waved as she walked away.
A while latr I was riding and saw a woman near a cabin. “Hello there Miss!”
“Hi Trin.”
“Just on my way back home. How are you doing today?”
“We met in the village the other night. Do you remember? Hawk introduced us.”
“You’ll have to forgive me... I kind of had a frightening evening last night... Oh yes of course, Sasha... I was just over in Hawk’s village getting some writing done. I come out here for peace and quiet.”
“It is nice up there..it’s where I’m headed now, in fact.”
“Kansas does not have many people, does it?”
“It varies.”
“Depends on the time of day I suppose.”
“But for the people who live here...it suits us.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“Only if you run into the boar or buffalo.”
“Maybe that’s why I like it so much.”
“We all avoid them now, when we can.”
“Not as many human threats, if ya know what I mean?” I felt my arm where it was still tender from the gunshot.
“Not here, no. There are no threats.”
“Well I’ll let you go on your way. Going to head back home.”
“Have a nice day miss.”
“You too. Was a pleasure seeing you again,” I waved and rode home.
Amiville.
I headed over to the sheriff’s office and noticed Rayce, Adder and Trax standing there. Trax wore a deputy badge and I congratulated him before heading into the office. I worked on reports. Logan told me he was going to head home and change and walked outside.
I wandered out when I heard Adder and Logan talking and went out to see them. “Whatcha all doin out here?”
“Enjoying the peace and quiet for the moment. Is it much work to make a trap?” Logan said and asked Adder.
“Nah not really. A little fiddly. you need to mine for iron, and make it into bars, you need cannabis for rope and cords. Wood to make into logs.”
“Ahhh I could use some rope and cords,” Logan grinned.
“I don’t wanna know!” Adder said.
I sat in the chair on the front porch and looked between them, feeling lost.
“Talking about trapping animals Trin,” Adder explained.
“No, you really don’t Adder,” Logan shook his head and laughed.
TJ walked over and Rayce asked him if he had set a trial yet for the fire case and he said he would. I asked which fire we were talking about and Rayce said, the one she was being charged of.
“I will need to get with you on that case as well Sherrif,” TJ looked at Logan.
“What case?” he asked.
“Rayce’s case,” TJ laughed.
“Karan won’t stop, so, I guess I have to go on trail with no evidence. Hopefully we can get all the witnesses this time....unlike when he missed you and Sheriff Logan for your assault case,” Rayce smiled at me.
“Ah of course. I’m more than happy to help in anyway that I can,” Logan said.
“So have ya found any new deputies Sheriff?” TJ asked.
“I did indeed. I’ve hired one and another shall return today,” Logan said.
“That’s great. Did ya warn them about all the outlaws so they won’t quit?”
“It is. Maybe it will help with the lack of attendance from the ones that were forced upon me by others. If I warned everyone of Bill... no one would want the job now would they?”
“That’s true,” TJ nodded.
“Trying to say something there lil fella?” Adder turned towards Logan.
“Lil fella...” TJ looked around. “Have ya seen Bill sheriff?”
“Know any good lawyers?” Rayce looked at me.
“Actually I do... he hasn’t been around town lately though,” I nodded.
“Not since he shot down the detective... no,” Logan shook his head.
“He’s in hiding,” TJ shrugged.
“He should be. He needs to be hung. As long as he is alive,there will be no peace for any of us,” Logan said and I smiled at his protectiveness.
I saw Gideon walk over then and I waved to him. “How are you, Gideon? Good to see you again.”
“I just hope when Bill is eventually in court, he’s in front of a judge capable of getting the job done,” Adder said.
“Was the warrant approved that I filed for? I didn’t see it,” Logan said.
“Nice comments from a quitter mister Adder,” TJ said and Adder spit at his feet. “But your words mean nothing to me.”
“That is not right, Judge, considering your last trial,” Rayce said. “Some would call you incompetent.”
“Nice to see you again, Trin,” Gideon nodded to me.
“And you mean nothing to me. It’s no wonder this towns going to hell if you’re the best they can drag up,” Adder grumbled.
“Don’t judge someone else...” Rayce growled.
“Adder...” I looked over.
“I’m not judging anyone, Rayce,,” TJ said.
“He’s not judging anyone Rayce,” Adder said.
“At least I’m not a quiter,” TJ shrugged.
“You called him a quitter. He has his reasons. Just as you have your reasons for not including the Sheriff and Detective in a trail about their abuse from someone,” Rayce said.
I stood up and went to put a hand on Adder’s shoulder. “Adder...”
“Shame you’re not. No one would be sad to see you go,” Adder said. “I bet the outlaws are happy.”
“Howdy, Deputy Trax,” TJ greeted the man walking over.
“I don’t blame him in the slightest for quitting. This job is not easy at all... we have constant stress all day long. and it isn’t scheduled, it could happen at any moment,” Logan said then.
“Please, be sure to let ME know when MY own trial is....won’t you?” Rayce said with contempt.
“I agree, it’s not,” TJ nodded.
“The biggest pillock this side of texas is a judge in this town. No wonder they think its a playground,” Adder said.
“Then let’s not call the man a quitter... he simply did what he needed to for his own peace of mind,” Logan said.
“This man insulted me first,” TJ pointed out. “And spit on me.”
“Besides, he may have killed Bill if he ended up in our cell again.,” Logan laughed.
“You should think yourself lucky,” Adder said. “I had far worse in mind.”
“So I have nothing else to say to this man,” TJ shook his head.
“Got that statement from Mai about the marshal’s office fire sheriff,” Trax looked at Logan as TJ and Adder continued to banter. “She saw the arsonist up close and could not recognize her, just said they had a similar build is all.”
“Let it go, TJ. Please. Just walk away,” I looked over at TJ coldly as they continued to insult each other.
“Meaning we both had these?” Rayce pointed to her breasts.
“No, this isn’t your fight. This is about Bill. Not you two,” I told them.
“A dress? Nope, arsonist wore brown... Rayce has a dress of green. Totally different,” Trax said.
“I appreciate it, Adder.. but this is my fight with Bill.. you two don’t have to....” I said and looked at Logan for help.
“You folks have a nice night. Sorry Adder had to ruin it.”
“Let’s discuss the details a little later,” Logan nodded to Trax.
“I meant breasts, cousin, breasts...” Rayce said as TJ walked away.
I leaned my head against Adder’s shoulder and then looked over at Logan. “I’m going inside,” I announced and walked in, kicking the desk in frustration. I worked on organizing files and then saw Logan and Rayce walk in.
“Are you alright?” Logan looked at me.
“No,” I shook my head as Trax walks in.
“You think you might be able to help find her a lawyer?” Logan motioned to Rayce.
“There’s a Jim something I met a while back.. I forget his last name. He hasn’t been in town much lately.”
Trax took out Mai’s statement and looked around the office. Logan asked for it and Trax handed it to him.
“Someone want to fill me in on which fire this is?” I looked around.
“Marshal jake and the new marshal Arvid came along and harassed my witness so I told em to back the hell off,” Trax grinned.
“Oh really? Trax, I think I like ya in this job already,” I smiled.
“Very good!” Logan laughed and read the paper over.
“Marshal’s office. Karan says she saw Rayce do it. Mai was there and says she couldn’t recognize who it was from close up due to different clothes and a mask,” Trax explained.
“Oh THAT fire... The one where she could’ve barely seen the marshal’s office from the saloon window...”
“Yes that one!” Logan laughed.
“That investigation is still going on?!” I rolled my eyes.
“TJ set a trial to sort it out,” Trax said.
“Apparently...” Logan nodded.
“I thought we ...” I looked around.
“The issue is that there is going to be favoritism playing here...” Logan said.
“Logan you said we were 99% sure...” I looked at him.
“I never even filed the report as there was insufficient evidence,” Logan said.
“Karan went to the marshals about Rayce and harassing her so he wants a trial,” Trax said.
“But, because Karan and the judge are friends...” Logan started.
“Of course they are...” I nodded.
“So, we need to get a lawyer for her and fast.”
“I wish my guy were more available. James and I talked to him a while ago about this whole Bill thing...” I nodded.
“Because my testimony and these statements aren’t going to be enough. Karan needs to be cross examined by an attorney.”
“He said he’d be there for me if I needed him... and I know he’s good. I just haven’t seen him....”
“There is another guy used to be an outlaw advertising being a lawyer”,” Trax said.
“Oh? Who, Trax?”
“Dunno... Didn’t pay much attention.”
“Gage Alvord or whatever his name is,” Logan said.
“Oh, Gage...” I nodded.
“Yeah something like that,” Trax said.
“I don’t much trust him,” Logan admitted.
“Yes, I’ve met him before too. I don’t know much about him either.. What about Lali...?” I asked.
“Is she friends with Karan?” Logan asked.
“She’s a DA though...”
“Yes, not likely to work.”
“Just trying to think of names of lawyers...”
“We need a literate one.”
“Not Mikk,” I winked at Logan.
“Not a yokel who can’t lace his shoes.”
“This is going to be helpful,” Logan said as he finished Mai’s statement.
“Can I see it, Logan?”
“Trax, mind you speak nothing of this outside of this room. There are ears everywhere.”
“Can’t Trax be my Laywer?” Rayce asked then.
“Trax is a lawyer?” I laughed a bit as Logan handed me Mai’s statement.
“Well he’s hard headed enough....” Rayce said.
“Not is he is a law man. Conflict of interest,” Logan shook his head.
“You forget I am up for harassment too,” Trax pointed out and I chuckled.
I started to read the statement from Mai and read outloud, “A body like Rayce?”
“You only harassed her because she’ a liar...” Rayce said.
“How the hell could she recognize ‘a body like Rayce’?” I asked.
TJ burst into the office then and Logan asked, “Tj... are you alright?”
“Oh I’m fine. Everyone okay in here?” he looked around.
“Just means they had similar body shapes, lots do,” Trax said.
“Yes, we are all well,” Logan nodded.
“Exactly, Trax. What, she’s looking at women’s bodies now?” I asked.
“Jus havin a little hot chocolate and talking,” Logan said to TJ. “Would you like a cup judge?”
“Good chance for you to talk to Logan bout the fire like ya said you would judge,” Trax looked at TJ.
“I shall,” TJ nodded. “In private.”
“Of course... would you like to meet now?” Logan smiled.
“If ya have time, yes.”
“I do indeed. shall we go to your office?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
“I’m going to jail, aren’t I...” Rayce muttered as the two men left the office.
“We don’t know anything for sure, Rayce,” I looked at her.
“Nope Rayce,” Trax shook his head and left the office as Rayce walked out after him.
Arvid and Mel came in to check on things and we talked about him becoming a marshal and then they left the office. Logan walked back in and I asked, “How’d that go?”
“Where did they go?” he looked around.
“Trax went off to patrol the streets.. Mel was here but went home to change out of her dancing outfit... Arvid was here to see what was up but there wasn’t much to tell him. And uh... Rayce went off to follow Trax.”
“Well it looks like you have everyone filed away,” Logan laughed.
“I try,” I chuckled. “The streets quiet? How’d the meeting go with TJ?”
“They are,” he nodded. “He... We need to get a lawyer for her...” Logan shook his head.
Logan went off to take care of something and I headed for the saloon. I saw a bunch of people in front of the front door but went around to the back entrance to see who was inside. I joined Rayce and the others and drank whiskey while people talked around me and then I headed home.
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