June 26, 1869

Amiville. 

Today was spent exploring the town and getting acclimated to my new surroundings. It was comfortable here, a peaceful place but yet busy enough that I wouldn’t lose myself in thoughts of the past. The people were friendly and everyone seemed eager to show me around. Even amidst all this welcoming, I found myself no closer to discovering Dutch’s killer. 

The saloon was clearly the center of most of the activity, and it wasn’t just because of where it was located. It was where people started and ended their days. It was the place to be for casual conversation, business meetings or a dance with someone you fancied. Everyone here seemed to know where they belonged, they had a place. It had been a long time since I’d felt that kind of belonging. 

In light of this sense of home I went out to search for a small cabin to call my own. I found one that was available just behind the livery where the horses were kept, and decided it was time to settle in there. I looked around for some furniture at the stores with the little money I had and before long I created a quaint little home for myself just outside the center of town. 

Walking into the saloon that evening, I hoped to gain some more wisdom on the story I was pursuing. Gramps stood behind the bar as he usually did an I went over to order a coffee with whiskey mixed in. I told Gramps that if I ordered whiskey straight, he’d know something was wrong. I talked with him about my search for information and all that he could offer me was that he and Stacie had taken Dutch to the clinic and he hadn’t heard of anything since. He did suggest, however, that he didn’t remember them actually identifying the body as Dutch. 

This presented me with a whole new line of questions. When Corri Beaumont walked in, the woman who lived with Joshua Solo (Dutch’s brother), she told me that Gaide had been out of town for a while and that she and Josh talked to him the other night. She explained how she and Josh had been seeing each other. 

When I told Corri about the ghost that Rosa had seen, she became interested and said, “The brothers haven’t seen the body; they aren’t sure it’s Dutch.” There seemed to be growing confusion about the body’s true identity and I began to wonder if there was a bigger story here than I’d anticipated. Even Gramps admitted that he hadn’t looked at the face, but someone else had said it was Dutch. 

Going out to lean against the railing, I thought over all I had heard that evening. While standing there I met a rather handsome man named Sayler and we struck up a conversation about writing. He was good company and I had the feeling that we would quickly become good friends. 

Peep walked over and I knew I had to have another conversation with her, especially with the recent question to the mystery. We said goodnight to Sayler and I suggested that we talk in my cabin where it was more private. I led the way and closed the door behind us when we were inside. 

“Alright, so...” I hesitated when we were seated. “There’s no easy way to lead into this. I’m not positive that Dutch is dead.” 

“They found the body,” Peep looked at me, confused. “It had a hole in the head. How can you not be positive?” 

“Did they? ‘Cause from what I hear around town, they weren’t sure it was him or not.” 

“I got the arrest report saying it confirmed it was him.” 

Looking at her, I thought about that for a couple of seconds. Arrest report would at least confirm that it was a murder, but who was the warrant for? 

“Some people are sayin’, ‘If I know Dutch, he’s up in a house somewhere with a lady, alive and well’,” I quoted one of the ladies I’d spoken to earlier in the saloon. Peep looked at me with confusion so I went on. “Rosa’s seen his ghost, but since I don’t believe in ghosts I’m not sure if-” 

“Why would he fake his own death?” Peep cut me off. 

“I told you about the ghost, no?” I asked, wanting to pursue my own line of questions but also because I hadn’t gained enough information to form even hypothetical answers. She shook her head so I told her about how Rosa had seen the ghost and what she’d been told. ‘I’ve also talked to Ms. Stacie about all this, by the way,” I continued when Peep didn’t seem urked by my ghost story, “but she just confused me even more.” 

“How did Stacie confuse you?” 

“Stacie said she knew who did it and that they were searching for them... and all will be revealed at the public trial.” 

“She knows who did it?” Peep sighed and looked a little concerned. 

“That’s what she said but I’m confused now ‘cause you don’t seem to know what she’s talkin’ about.” 

“Well I have the reports on me,” she dug into her breast pocket and unfolded the papers. “These might help you,” she handed them to me and added, “You didn’t get them from me.” 

“Well that’ll help Peep,” I took the papers from her and put them in my pocket to read later. “I’m more concerned about the boys at this point.” 

“Josh and Gaide can take care of themselves.” Then she narrowed her eyes and said, “If Dutch faked his death and is still alive, I’m going to shoot the bastard.” 

“Well I would assume so,” I nodded, thinking that she would be upset to hear if he faked his own death just to get away from her. “I’m just extremely confused about all this.” 

“Thank you for telling me this information, Miss Trin,” Peep nodded. “I’ll let you know if I find anything else out, and you’ll do the same for me?” 

“Absolutely, I’d appreciate it,” I smiled. “It may seem nosy but I think people need to know the truth. And if there’s some greater plot afoot...” I hesitated. “Well then we should be prepared, ya know?” 

“They do,” Peep agreed. “And if you find the bastard’s still alive, you tell me first. I wanna make sure I get to him before anyone else does.” 

“Of course, Peep.” 

“Thank you, Miss Trin. I hope these reports help you. I’ll be off now.” 

As she left my cabin and I closed my door, I was even more convinced that this deputy was very capable of murdering Dutch, had the most motive, and the best opportunity as she was the last known person to see him alive. I went upstairs to bed and wondered if I’d just made a deal with a murderer.