Saturday, March 14, 2015

October 1, 1869

Amiville. 

This morning I limped into town, still feeling the pain from the bullet wound the night before. I went over to the saloon, desperately needing a drink. Logan and Adder were standing outside of the saloon and we greeted each other. 

“How are you feeling, Callaghan?” I asked Logan. 

“I did... got a little a sleep. And yourself? How are you feeling this morning?”

“Limping around from the bullet in the leg last night. And I’m sure that any loud noises will bring 
that headache right back to me.”

“I need to get an arrest warrant for Cathy, and one for Buckshot Bill,” Adder said. 

“I was attempting to gather statements but people were leaving without giving them to me,” Logan commented. “I know who you need to talk to about that.” 

“What the hell’d they do now?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. 

“Kidnapping by Cathy, and Bill nearly killed Mai,” Adder explained. “Beat her, drowned her, beat her again.” 

“Did he?” Logan asked. “So the outlaws are working against each other then...” 

“I got a statement from Trax this morning,” Adder said. 

“Okay can we have this conversation sitting down? I don’t want to put too much weight on this leg.”

“Aye, you two don’t look too good,” Adder nodded. 

“To the office?” Logan asked. 

“Saloon first. I need coffee,” I shook my head. 

“Let’s get coffee for Miss Paige,” Logan laughed. 

“Finally,” I said and we limped into the saloon. 

Gramps served us coffee and we took our mugs to the office so that we could sit down and talk. They joked about how I have the best chair in the office. Logan lifted me up and carried me into the office when he saw that I was having trouble walking. 

There was a knock on the door and Mikk walked into the office. “I heard a lot of things went down in here yesterday?” he looked between us. 

“Busier than usual it seems,” Adder nodded. 

“Aye... we had a rough day to be sure,” Logan nodded. 

“Well as I heard it, a fella died in your care.” 

I raised an eyebrow and looked to the others, not having heard about this. “Christian?! He was just there when I went to the hospital with the others...”

“Miss Paige asked for someone to let him out...” Logan said.

“That must have been when I was off duty and out of town. What happened?” Adder asked. 

“As I hear the rumors, he was left tied up in his cell. Bled to death in his cell with no medic care whatsoever. With no medic care what so ever. Despite several of you.. points lawmen and ladies.. KNEW he was in there badly wounded.” 

“That would be medical personnels fault, as we were badly wounded and requested that they tend to him,” Logan said. 

“Is that not so?” 

“No, it isn’t so,” Logan shook his head. 

“Mikk I told them I was back there with a prisoner who was down too,” I explained. 

“Did you tell the medics that he was IN there?” 

“They didn’t come back and help so I had to dang limp out here to get help. They were so focused on me and Jake they didn’t go in to help the other guy. I tried, Mikk. I did!”

“I heard Trin tell them,” Logan nodded. “She said it multiple times, in fact.” 

“That’s also what I heard, Trin... I’m not blaming you,” Mikk looked at me. 

“I was attempting to open the door to let medics in,” Logan said. 

“Sounds like ya are, Mikk,” I said. “We were pretty down and hurt ourselves. I could barely walk.” 

“I think you owe these two an apology Mikk,” Adder said. “Or you can pick a window to leave by.” 

“I merely just wanted to see if I had my facts straight, that he was left unattended. And in fact he was.” 

“No, you came in here pointing fingers,” Adder said. 

“Now I hear that it is the truth that Trin told the medics several times he was in there. So...” 

“Yes it is,” Logan nodded. 

“Plenty times. Not a damn one of them heard me.”

“And I made many attempts to get back to the office to check on him, but I was being thwarted,” Logan said. 

“Now that I know the law is not to blame, I wish to file a complaint against the medics,” Mikk said. 

“They should’ve come back to where we were in the cells...” I said. 

“I still haven’t heard you apologize,” Adder looked at him. 

“The door was unlocked already. They knew they could’ve come back,” I pointed out. 

“Because the fact is... Christian Morgenstern is my brother in flesh and blood.” 

“That’s fine... but you did walk in here accusing us,” Logan frowned. 

“What?!” I looked at Mikk, surprised. 

“He was, aye,” Mikk nodded. 

“He is? The gypsy?” Logan was as surprised as I was. 

“He admitted to setting the fire, Mikk. He was an arsonist,” I told him. 

“He ain’t no gypsy.” 

“That’s what he told us.”

“He was a no good fer nothing. Never worked in his life. Claiming to be one... In fact, one time he and my other brother and my sister sprang me from jail down in Tombstone. My guess is he claimed to have set a fire just to get free room and board.” 

“I understand... I am sorry for your loss Mikk. We did do our best... we assumed that medics had him under there care as it was requested for them to see about him and we were in no shape to take action ourselves,” Logan nodded. 

“In any case... whatever he did has nothing to do with the fact he was left unattended. So therefore I wish to file a complaint against the medics. Will ya take my complaint?” 

Logan nodded and took out a sheet of paper. “That’s what we’re here for.”

“Thank you,” Mikk said. 

“We’ll take your apology...” I said then. 

“Fer what?” he turned to me. 

“You still haven’t apologized for blaming us for murdering your brother, as you put it. When I tried several times to get help to him.”

“In fact... I was incredibly grateful for the way he put himself out for us in attempt to take down Buu,” Logan pointed out. 

“I don’t believe I did,” Mikk shook his head. “I merely wanted to come in here clearing up he was in your care and I learned in fact was, but that you did make the medics aware he was in there.” 

“Sounded like you were...” I said, looking over to Logan and Adder. 

“I wasn’t,” Mikk shook his head. 

“You damn well were,” Adder nodded. “You were pointing fingers.” 

“You said now that I know it wasn’t law to blame... Which means you came in here blaming law.”

“I don’t recall raising my finger even once,” Mikk looked at his finger. 

“You can blame without pointing a finger, Mikk.”

“You did raise your finger,” Adder nodded. “Pointed at each of us.” 

“Well then I guess you can accuse me for slander when you have filed the report of complaint against the medics.” 

“It was in your words, your body language...” I rolled my eyes. 

“Where was he bleeding from by the way?” Adder asked. 

“Are you asking me Adder?” Mikk looked between us. 

“I’m asking me, Adder?” 

“Im asking anyone who can tell me where he was bleeding from.” 

“Well, I cannot tell you as I do not know.” 

“Well apparently none of us cared enough to look after him so he must be asking you,” I said somewhat bitterly. “Since we were too, as you say, focused on our own problems instead of getting help to your brother.”

“I still haven’t seen his body,” Mikk said and then looked at me. “I was not in town.” 

“As there are some wounds that the Docs just can’t save a person from,” Adder continued. That could be why they didn’t come, if they knew where he was hit, they may have known they couldn’t help him.” 

“Then don’t come in here acting like you know what happened,” I glared at him. I looked at Adder, knowing it was true that the docs didn’t even try to look at him. 

“Perhaps that was the case. We will investigate the matter for you Mikk,” Logan nodded. 

“Well they could not have known if they did not even look at him,” Mikk said. 

“How do you know that they didn’t?” Logan asked. “I mean, there are so many unanswered questions here

“If someone told them where he was hit,” Adder put in. 

“Also, I’ve been told several startling accusations regarding the medical team... which I intend to get to the bottom of,” Logan informed him and I raised an eyebrow. Logan raised from his seat and held out his hand to shake Mikk’s. “We will be looking into this... I’ll let you know if we make any progress.”

“Thank you Logan... always kind,” Mikk nodded and smiled at me. 

“I still haven’t heard a verbal apology, Mikk,” I ignored his smile. 

“If you’ll excuse us... we’ve got quite a bit of work to do,” Logan smiled at Mikk. “Also, if you hear any more ‘gossip’, please share it as it could be valuable.”

“I stayed in there as long as I could until I had to limp for help for myself,” I said. 

“Point a finger at me again, I’ll take it off,” Adder muttered to Mikk as he headed out of the office without another word. 

“They didn’t know what kind of injury Christian had,” I said when Logan had closed the door and it was just the three of us. 

“Okay then...” Logan flopped into his seat and sighed heavily. 

“I told them I had a prisoner back there with me who was down and needed help,” I went on. “No one came. I had to limp out of the cell and go to them out here to get help for myself. Kept saying constantly there was a guy back there... Never once saw medical personelle walk into those cells.”

“Well, Rosa and Rayce were tending to us...” Logan said. 

“Were there any medics available to treat him? Or were they just too busy treating others?” Adder asked. 

“Am I right, Logan?” I looked at him. 

“Were any other medics here at the time?” Logan asked. 

“Tabitha was here too but she was new and she was helping me calm down,” I said. “Since we’re friends. So I didn’t expect her to go back there. But Rayce and Rosa were here... and they were tending to Jake and Logan. Jake seemed fine though.” I set my coffee mug on the table, hard, still frustrated. “And he never once gave me a damned apology!”

“Sorry has too many syllables for him,” Adder muttered. “So, who were the docs treating you? The ones Mikk reckons let his brother die?” 

“Rayce and Rosa were here treating me, Logan and Jake... Tabitha was here too but she was brand new to the staff and she was focused on helping me calm down while the other two looked at the men.”

“Karan was supposedly somewhere in town refusing to help...” Logan nodded. 

“She refused to help?” Adder looked at him. “And a man died?” 

“Have no idea why she wasn’t here,” I shook my head. 

“This is what I’ve heard... through the grapevine,” Logan said. 

“The good doctor isn’t so good,” Adder said. “But thats not my point. Mikk said his brother only confessed to the arson to get a bed for the night. He was wounded, and bled to death ‘cause he didn’t get medical treatment.” 

“So he didn’t really set the fire?” I asked. “Because Buu came into the cells and shot at him for coming out and throwing punches at Buu.”

“Who was our leading suspect before the confession?” Adder asked. 

“We didn’t really have time to make one. Karan was pinning it on Rayce. But Kitty came in saying that Rayce... Sorry, Cathy came in saying that Rayce had been treating something for her at the time.”

“Kate also said she saw Rayce acting suspiciously around the marshals’ office,” Adder put in.
“Remember, Logan?”

“But Karan said she saw Rayce from the window of the saloon...” I said. “But the thing is, Trax said you can’t see much from the window at the saloon. Except for the base of it. So there’s no way Karan could see Rayce out there carrying hay or whatever.”

“Kate was outside gathering herbs for medical supplies,” Adder said and Logan nodded. 

“When was this Taurus?” I looked at him. 

“Much less matches...” Logan added. 

“She told us yesterday, not long after the fire,” Adder said. 

“But she simply said that Rayce was standing near the office looking nervous,” Logan said. “That’s not credible either... especially taking into the consideration that she was attacked... I mean. She should look nervous!” 

“What I’m getting at is this. A man confesses to something his brother says he only confessed to to get a bed, the same man is later wounded and a Doctor who was previously a suspect in that crime doesn’t treat him and he dies,” Adder summarized. 

Logan paused and thought about that, and then rubbed his blackened eye, grumbling. “Unfortunately.... you are right deputy..”

“Handy way to make the fire investigation stop, don’t you think? Let him die, no one asks anymore questions. He confessed, cant take it back when he’s dead,” Adder said. 

“Taurus you’re bloody brilliant,” I nodded. 

Logan sighed and folded his arms across his chest, leaning back. “I would really hate to think that Rayce did this.... “

“So would I Logan,” Adder agreed. 

“Either Rayce or Karan...” I summarized. 

“I’ve lost count of how many times she’s patched me up,” Adder said. 

“Karan would have wanted him to live though...” Logan said. “So that his story could be proven wrong.” 

“True.... To take the blame,” I nodded and Adder agreed. 

“I just want to point out... that we have an incredible team here,” Logan grinned. 

“So it had to be Rayce. How do we prove it?” I asked. 

“Don’t know that we can prove it,” Adder shook his head. 

“I wish we had some evidence from the fire... Something... Or a witness... A credible witness,” I added. 

“We can say that for a fact just yet... remember, innocent until proven guilty. Being that it is Rayce we are talking about here, we have got to be sure beyond a shadow of a doubt,” Logan insisted and we both nodded. 

“Unless someone comes forward who is reliable and says they saw who started it, I don’t think we’ll get the culprit, Rayce or otherwise,” Adder said. 

“That is a fact,” Logan nodded. “We really didn’t get to finish questioning Karan yet. To be sure of what she saw.”

“I think I’ll pass on that one,” Adder said.

“Yeah, she don’t really respect me much in this role...” I agreed with Adder. 

“Really, you two?” Logan groaned. “Fine, I’ll do it.” 

“Well I’ll come... But she won’t like me talking to her,” I said. 

“Looks like you’re on your own there boss,” Adder said and Logan laughed. 

“I’ll just sit and observe. I’ll just sit and observe. But don’t blame me when she says she doesn’t want me there.”

“It’s all right... I’ll talk to her,” Logan promised. 

“Great, we could do with a secretary,” Adder suggested. 

I glared at him and said, “Don’t even think about it.” 

Logan handed over a pile of paper and Adder grinned. I guessed that he had some pages hidden in there too. The laughter stopped suddenly when we heard a scream of agony coming from outside. The three of us stood instantly and went to find who was screaming. I pointed out that I could barely run and they suggested that I stayed at the office in case someone would come looking for us. 

As I waited for something to happen and worked on the paperwork. Mel walked in and I told her about the woman who had screamed and how I was working on paperwork. I told her what happened last night and Mel left the office to help the boys. 

An hour later, Logan walked in with Rayce close behind. “Detective Trin, how are you healing?” Rayce asked. 

“Leg’s pretty sore and have a bit of a headache but...” I answered. 

“Have you been drinking the tea for the pain?”

“Coffee,” I looked at her and she laughed, sitting at the desk. 

“I mean, the herbal tea, for pain, that I gave you,” she asked. 

“I had a bit last night before bed... Still had nightmares though.” 

“I have a feeling a lot will be...” She replied. 

I got to work on witness reports as Logan looked between us and asked, “Regarding the incident with the fire yesterday Miss Rayce, can you tell me what you saw? I ask you think, because several people have pointed at you saying that you were there.” 

“I was treating a ripped stitch that Miss Cathy had. When I was done, I walks toward the saloon seeing smoke, and the fire. I joined an already growing crowd. Mister Drevon was there, as was A masked woman, and a few others I have not met,” Rayce answered. 

“And exactly where were you when you treated Cathy?”

“It was the room above the blacksmith, the same room I treated Marshal Nate in last night.” 

“Right across the street from here correct?” 

“Yes, she pulled me to a private place as the wound is high up on her leg.” 

As I listened to them talk, I realized we needed to talk to Marshal Nate and clarify the time he was treated. 

“I see... Well Karan recalls seeing you carry a bundle of hay just the saloon just before the fire. Any comments on that?” he asked and I still wanted to know how Karan saw that much from her window in the saloon. 

“Why would I be carrying hay anywhere.?”

Logan shrugged, “That’s what I was wondering... but she claims to have seen you doing it.”

“And my grandmother claimed to see Jesus every week,” Rayce said and I chuckled. 

“You know I have put my life in your hands several times Miss Rayce... you’ve never given me any reason to doubt you...” Logan smirked. 

“MY question is, where the hell was she last night, when all these people were hurt. I was stuck in the hospital, and other people kept bringing patients in. Where was she?”

“Don’t worry Miss Rayce, that issue is also being looked into,” Logan winked. “But you didn’t answer my question... Why were you carrying hay in the direction of the marshals office?

“I didn’t, and I wasn’t.”

“I see... so you were nowhere near the office?”

“Only after the fire was already going.”

“Because I have another witness who claims to have seen you there before the fire started,” Logan said and I smiled at him. “Which would in turn lead me to believe that perhaps you are not giving me the whole truth.” 

“I walk by the Marshal’s office every day gathering herbs. I do not loiter there unless there are Marshals there and I say hello.”

“Yes, but you told me that you weren’t there until after the fire started,” he said and I thought to myself that Rayce had just incriminated herself as she didn’t deny being there before the fire started. 

“And now... you say that you were.” 

“I said I walk by there every day. I do not loiter. I was not anywhere near the Marshals office before the fire started. I may have walked by much earlier in the day, it’s right by the Saloon.”

“I’m afraid that this witness states that you were there... just before the fire, Like as in, minutes before.” 

“And I say I wasn’t. There is no way. I was with Miss Cathy.”

“So two seemingly unrelated people have put you at the scene... and your only witness to you not being there... is an outlaw.”

“I forget she is an outlaw,” Rayce sighed a bit. “Yes, my only witness, is an outlaw....”

“Then I assuming that you realize my dilemma here,” Logan nodded. 

Rayce nodded and slumped in her chair. “Doesn’t look good for me, huh?” 

Logan shook his head solemnly, “I’m afraid it doesn’t... at the moment.”

“I can only tell you the truth. If people want me to go down for it, there is nothing I can do about it.”

“I can assure you that I want to help you the best that I can, as you are a faithful doctor and I consider you a good friend. However, I have my hands tied in this matter,” Logan insisted. 

“I understand,” Rayce looked down and spoke in a small voice. 

Logan drummed his fingers on the table and leaned in, looking at her with a smile. “However, I don’t yet have enough evidence to detain you.”

“Yet. I’m sure someone will be sure to make some up for you.”

“Ah but Miss Rayce, you have little faith in me.” 

“No, I have faith in you. I don’t have faith in other people...”

“I can weed through concocted evidence like nothing you’ve ever seen....” he smiled at her charmingly, “And I will put an extra effort into your case for you.”

“I put all my trust into you, Sheriff Logan,” Rayce smiled. 

Logan straightened in his chair and grinned. “Good. Now unless you have anything else that you would like to add....?”

“There were two other fires, one of which I was in the building as a witness for a trial, the other I was with a group of people when it started. What if it’s the same person who did those...” 

“Actually, I had that suspect in here just yesterday. She was raving and ranting that she saw who did the one yesterday.”

“First the Sheriff, then the Courthouse, then the Marshal. Someone doesn’t like the law.”

Logan stood from his seat then, and extended his hand to Rayce to help her up. I told myself not to react to the interaction and focused on the paperwork as Logan smiled and led her to the door. “Don’t worry Miss Rayce, I will do all that I can to preserve your innocence... if you are innocent that is,” he winked at her. 

She flushed a bit and smiled, Thank you...Sheriff Logan. Detective Trin. Both of you, let me know if you need anything, or your stitches break.” 

“Thank you for your tender care and concern,” he smiled and closed the door behind her. 

As he turned around to face me I looked at him and asked, “What do you think?” 

He folded his arms across his chest and stared at the floorboards. “It was her..”

“How are you going to prove it?”

“She whispered to me in the clinic, that if I knew the truth, it would change so many things.” 

“Sounds like a confession to me.”

“It isn’t exactly a confession you see... Because she could be hiding the facts to save someone. But it couldn’t be Mai.” 

“Doesn’t leave much wiggle room does it?” I asked. 

“Because Mai was flapping her gums last night saying that she knew who did it and that this person was ‘A very important person’,” he said and I rolled my eyes. “Mai may be a liar, but I believe her on this one.” 

“Have you talked to Mai about who this person is?”

“No, I stopped her because I didn’t want her to say too much in front of everyone. The place was packed you see.” 

“We need to talk to her in here.”

“Well she is currently broken to pieces in the clinic.” 

“Think we could talk in the clinic to her when she wakes up?”

“We will.... and I also want to know why Bill beat her up after i released her last night. I’m thinking that it could be linked to this case. Do you know if Bill has any connection to Rayce?”

“Yeah that’s a good question... I have no idea if Bill is connected to Rayce. I try to avoid him as much as possible. He and I have a ... uh ... history. And I don’t mean romantically.”

“See if there is a connection, he could be doing this to Mai to make her stop talking... or, it could be someone else that we are looking for.”

“So we need to talk to Bill... Isn’t there already a warrant out on him?”

“Um...” Logan turned and shuffled through the mess papers on his desk as Adder walked into the office. 

“Any news?” he asked and I looked over to Logan to fill him in. 

“I’m 99% certain that it was Rayce. Adder, we have to lean on that 1% as much as we possibly can.” 

“What makes you so certain now? You seemed a little dubious earlier.” 

“Because she lied to me.” 

“And unless she started the fire, she’s got no reason to right?” 

“Right,” Logan nodded. “Not to mention our two witnesses... Her alibi is the testimony of an outlaw.” 

There was a knock at the door then and Logan went to invite Kate into the office. “Just who we needed to see,” he smiled and invited her to have a seat. 

“Your face still looks awful Logan. No offense.” 

“Why thank you,” Logan laughed at her. 

“It’s no better without the bruising,” Adder grinned. 

“Hey now...” Logan chuckled and then looked at Kate. “Now about this incident yesterday... the fire. What do you know about it?” 

“Not much, I just saw Rayce going upstairs at the Marshal’s.” 

“You are sure of this?” Logan asked. 

“I didn’t stay around, because I always thought Rayce was such a sweet person. I’m sure.” 
Adder looked from Logan to me and Logan asked, “Was she carrying anything?” 

“I’m not certain. She didn’t appear to be. I was only there for a moment, I was on my way to collect herbs for my healing supplies. There were a lot of injured yesterday and I needed more Arnica.” 

“On the stairs... you’re absolutely positive...” Logan nodded. 

“Yes. All I recall is walking past the Marshals’ and seeing Rayce look around a few times and then head up.” 

“Well...” Logan closed his eyes briefly and sighed. 

“I didn’t see her light the fire, but I also didn’t see anyone else over there.” 

“I understand,” Logan nodded. “Well, is that all that you have to offer?” 

“Well, I suppose I could give you a bandage for your face,” Kate laughed. 

“Now don’t get cheeky Miss Katherine,” Logan smirked and rubbed at his eye. “I think it makes me look... distinguished.”

We said goodbye to Kate then and she headed out of the office. I looked from Logan to Adder and Logan closed the door, groaning. “Up that percentage to 99.9% certainty.”

“Can we arrest her yet?” I chuckled. 

“Aye. all we need now is the smoking gun, or in this case, smoking match.” 

Logan kicked the door violently and I groaned at the headache it caused. “Logan, please...” 

“I don’t understand as to why she would do it. And she lied... To me.” 

“I have a theory, and I don’t like myself for having it. I really don’t,” Adder said. 

“I know the feeling,” Logan nodded. 

“Just say it, Taurus. We’re all probably thinking it anyway.”

“We’re looking for a mole right? The Blacks’ inside man or woman?”

Logan and I both nodded and I said, “It has to be all connected otherwise why would they target law buildings.”

“Burning down the Marshals office would sure help Levi and his brothers,” Adder said. 

“Burning down the courthouse made them stall the trial for Liberty...” I agreed. 

“Maybe our mole is Rayce,” Adder suggested. 

“And Mai was there for that incident too; I just read the statement she gave about that,” I said. 

“That would clear the marshals of any wrongdoing at least... if that were the case. But I hate to even believe it,” Logan sighed. 

“Mai’s involved somehow... I know she is. She has to be,” I said. 

“No logan, not necessarily,” Adder shook his head. “Marshals and the Blacks could have had a recent falling out. But been on league previously.”

“Ah yes!” Logan smiled. 

“You know who we need? Pablo...” Logan suggested. “He would know something if that were the case. He hears everything.” 

“Ah yes, that’s true,” I nodded. “But I thought...”

“Ah yes. We have to speak to Mai on that matter first to get her statement, or Trax.” 

“Any idea when she’ll be fit to speak to us?” Adder asked. 

“Adder you just showed me the affidavit on Bill this morning. Oh it was an apply for warrant. Never mind.”

“Rayce,” Logan shuddered a bit, “Told me that she is stable and almost ready to talk.”

“No that was a request for a warrant that I filled in,” Adder said. 

“Same page now,” I nodded. 

“Remember... Mai tried to pin the blame on Kragobi. I don’t think she’ll be honest,” Adder said and I nodded again. 

“Oh I know she’s a liar, but I want to know why Bill beat her up,” Logan said to him. 

“Let’s focus on Pablo... have I informed the two if you on his involvement?” 

“Not yet?” I looked at Logan. “Oh wait. Rosa and you and I were in that meeting with him. About the whole Louisiana thing. I remember now... He knows something.”

“Will you enlighten Adder?” Logan asked and I nodded. 

“Well Taurus it all started when Pablo came to me with a complaint... He said the marshals had beaten him and arrested him when all he was doing was announcing a crime to them. I told him I’d talk to Callaghan and Rosa and we went out to talk to him a few hours later.”

“That sounds a bit excessive, even by the marshals’ standards,” Adder commented. 

“Rosa got in his face and made him come to the courthouse. She tried to get him to tell us what he knew about Louisiana.” 

“Oh?” 

“He denied knowing anything at first... Then Rosa gave him a bunch of money. But that wasn’t good enough and he still said he didn’t know anything. Finally Rosa leaned in on him and he asked what we wanted to know. She said she wanted to know about Tristan being hurt. He still seemed to not know anything, said he kept away from the marshals as much as possible.”

There were gunshots outside then and I looked at Adder, jumping at the sound. “I’m off!” he exclaimed and ran outside. Logan grabbed his gun belt and ran off after him. 

An hour later, Logan and Adder returned to the office with Pablo. Logan asked him, “The marshals.... have they had a recent argument with the Blacks? Or something that would cause the Blacks to be upset?” 

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Pablo said. 

“Thank you, Pablo,” Logan nodded. 

“For what? I no tell you anything.” 

“For answering my question of course. That was all that I needed to know.” 

“Hey, I no say anything.” 

“You said that you wouldn’t be surprised.” 

“What? I no say anything. You no go telling people that I do. Si, is true.” 

“No, not at all,” Logan shook his head. “It has nothing to do with you in the slightest.” 

“That’s what you say last time and then I get accused of murdering a marshal.” 

“Who did that?” Logan asked and I raised an eyebrow. 

“You were there. The judge.” 

“She wasn’t accusing you of shooting Tristan,” I said then. 

“Well I didn’t accuse you did I?” Logan asked. 

“She try and blame me for the marshals murder... then I find out he no dead at all. She say... eef I no talk she make a murder charge stick.” 

I looked at Logan, remembering that Rosa was just trying to get information, and Logan shook his head to Pablo. “She wouldn’t really do that, Don’t worry.”

“Is easy for you to say senor. You ave the badge.” 

“And I’m here to serve the people Pablo... you are the people.” 

“So anyway you want burrito? How many?” 

“Three, if you will.” 

“Tres... Si... You come get them though.” 

“I will. Thank you for taking the order.”

“Is two of you though...” Pablo looked from Logan to me. 

“One more on his way,” Logan smiled. 

“Ahh, well then I go now,” Pablo shrugged and walked out. 


I told Logan that I was going to head home and take a break for a while and he went back to one of the cells to lie down. 

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