November 30, 1869

Georgetown. 

I went into the Spread Eagle and talked with Chane at the bar. We talked about the grand opening and how so many people had been there. We talked about Sam and how I was curious about the Pinkertons and how I might work with them and about a new gang in the area, but Chane didn’t know much about it. We danced for a while and then I headed home. 

Nebraska. 

I sat in front of my office and then read a telegram Dianna gave to me: “A person, dressed in a confederate uniform, was observed hiding in the rocks near the burial rock mounds in Iowa STOP. The uniform was that of a cavalry officer, possibly of the rank of captain  STOP. A very odd aroma was most apparent coming from in his direction (He stunk real bad)  STOP. He was observed sniffing around the fort’s primary defensive weapon STOP. Do not approach this individual, unless prepared for a fight  STOP. Upon observing this person, women, kids and pets should “Run Like Hell” to the nearest sheriff, marshal, or soldier STOP.” 

Wyoming. 

I went to the Cherokee village and talked with the tribe there and about Ahawi and the chief had gotten married. We talked about my friend Lonely Eagle and how Ahawi really wanted to meet him. 

Colorado Springs. 

I rode out to the sheriff’s office and found Adder standing in front of the porch. “Ah good, you’re here.”

“Hey Trin, how are ya?”

“I have something for you.”

“Oh?” he said and took the note. “Thanks,” he read it and raised an eyebrow and chuckled a bit. 

“Feel like takin a ride?” I winked as he finished reading and folded the note away into his pocket. “It said to run to the nearest marshal... You’ve got jurisdiction out there right?”

“Now I thought those ‘good ole boys’ had been, shall we say, dealt with? Iowa? Aye I do.” 

We rode out and headed towards Nebraska. 

Nebraska. 

Adder stopped and I looked around, wondering why we were stopping in Nebraska. “What we doin here?”

“End of the line for you. If this fella is wanting a fight, you’re not coming to Iowa.” 

“But... Maybe I can lead him out... Being a female and all... And then you can nail him.”

“Nope, no risks.” 

“But Taurus..” 

“No,” he said and I sighed, muttering that he and Logan ruined all my fun. “Wait here. If I’m not back in an hour, get help.” 

“Fine. I’ll make meals or something domestic,” I said sarcastically. 

“Or ya could start writing an article about sightings of this fella,” he chuckled. “I mean... it IS your job.” 

“Don’t play cute with me now, Sheriff,” I looked at him. 

“I’ll be back soon, I don’t expect this guy to be confrontational. That note sounds like he’s got bigger plans.” 

“Go on. I’ll start this article even though I have absolutely nothing to put in it because I don’t have any testimony.”

He waved and rode off and I tried to start writing an article. Then I realized that Patrick was covering stories in Iowa and sent him a wire about it. I leaned forward, resting my head in my arms, feeling bored. 

There was a knock on the door and I called out, “Taurus?” 

“Aye.” 

I opened the door and asked, “Find anything?” 

“Aye and no. Place has definitely had a visitor.” 

“Oh?” 

“Footprints around the cannon, looks like someone may have slept in one of the army tents around the back, and one of the cots inside the fort looks used too. But no one there when I was there.” 

“I’ll talk to my writer in Iowa and get him to poke around.”

“Can he shoot?”

“He’s a ranger so I suspect so, yeah.”

“Good. Might need to use his guns.” 

“I’ll tell him. Thanks, Adder.” “If this fella is wanting to play with that cannon, we have trouble brewing. I tested it. It’s serious stuff.” 

“Should I start wearing my gun again? Then I won’t be defenseless.”

“I wouldn’t risk it,” he shook his head. 

“Okay.” 

“Hopefully he’s one of those ‘old fashioned southern gentlemen’ I’ve heard so much about.” 

“Just thought that if he’s looking for defenseless women...”

“He’s looking for men. He’s still wearing his uniform. As far as he’s concerned, the civil war isn’t over.” 

“But the note said...”

“Might have to work on dropping this damn yank accent I’ve picked up the last ten years.” 

“I should let you get back to your office. Not much else we can do here...”

“The note said he’s wearing his uniform, sniffing around the main defensive weapon, and stinks. Suggests to me he ain’t interested in women.” 

“It also said that children and women and pets should run like hell.”

“Aye. Whoever wrote that note obviously cares more for sensationalism than for deduction.” 

“That’s the burning question isn’t it? Who wrote that note...” I chuckled. 

“If we get mass hysteria in Iowa, you know who to blame.” 

“Mmhmm”

“Oh, I guess you don’t.” 

“I’m confused,” I chuckled. 

“Who wrote it? Who saw the fella?”

“You don’t think...” I looked at him. 

“That’s an accusation that has been leveled at me before, aye,” he chuckled. “C’mon, out with it. You’ve obviously got an idea.” 

“She seems to have her hand in everything else lately... Is the only one I’ve been hearing about the past week or two... Unless it’s this new gang I’ve heard about...”

“Who?” 

“It’s probably a stretch,” I shook my head. “I don’t want to make assumptions. I’m just going to tread lightly.”

“Do I have to shoot you?” 

“Cathy, Adder. She’s all I’ve heard about,” I sighed. “Whenever I ride through Amiville she’s the only outlaw I see. Harley and Rebel are still in Georgetown but other than that...” 

“HE. Cathy is a lot of things, but she’s no man.” 

“There’s another new gang runnin around but I don’t know who else it would have been. Not what I’m saying, Taurus.”

“What are you saying then?”

“My point is that she might know who he is, or she might’ve been the one to write the letter to create fear.”

“Or I’m just crazy and she has nothing to do with this at all,” I looked down. 

“Not her style. To create fear, she’d blow something up, shoot someone, kidnap someone. She’s direct.” 

“True,” I nodded. “I’m just covering all my bases, Taurus. Making sure they’re not even remotely involved before I go poking around.”

“And she does stuff that she can gain from. She wouldn’t gain from creating hysteria. I’ve heard of fellas getting a little crazy cos of war. Years after its over they cant accept it and they carry on, waiting for orders. I think thats what we’re dealing with.”

“You think I’m crazy,” I looked at him. “Paranoid.” 

“No, it’s understandable you’d worry she might be involved,” he shook his head. 

“This is what it’s gonna be like from now on, isn’t it?”

“It’ll get better,” he shook his head. 

“I’m gonna be treading thin ice and making sure the coast is clear before even pursuing a story.”

There was a knock on the door and I went to let Pat inside. “Pat, good to see you. This is Sheriff Adder Taurus. He’s also a US Marshal...”

“Long time,” Pat nodded to Adder. 

“Howdy,” Adder said. 

“You two know each other?” I looked between them. 

“How are ya?” Pat asked. 

“Not bad. Just been in Iowa. Apparently some old confederate soldier is hanging round the fort. Seems very interested in the cannon,” Adder said. 

“Pat, I don’t suppose you got the note from the pony express that’s been goin around?” I asked and handed him the note. 

“No sign of him when I was there though. Did look like someones been sleeping there,” Adder said. 

“I was wondering if you could poke around the area... Being my writer in Iowa region.”

“Well that and I patrol Iowa... Sure,” Pat nodded and read over the note. “Oh aye, aye’ll hang round that way. Gotta stop in and check on the Indians anyway,” he said, sipping his flask. 

“Great, thanks Pat,” I nodded. “Let me know if you find anything.” 

“Sure thing,” he grumpled. “Aye, wish Johnny Reb would remembah war done. If ya be needin’ anythin’, let me know eh?” he said to Adder who nodded. 

“Safe paths,” I said as Pat walked out and I looked over at Adder. “I’m glad we got that taken care of so quickly.”

“I doubt its ‘taken care of’,” he chuckled. 

“I just meant the getting ahold of Pat part. My writers are so punctual,” I winked at him. “Helps he’s a ranger too. He has to do it,” I chuckled. 

“Never heard of the rangers anywhere outside of Texas till now,” Adder shrugged. 

“I should let ya head back. Need to collect some things for meals here.”

“Be careful out there,” he nodded and tipped his hat. 

“Thanks, Sheriff. You too,” I said as he headed out the door.