Amiville.
This morning I walked into town and saw Frank, Rosa and Logan standing in the street. “Morning, Callaghan, Rosa. Frank,” I greeted them.
“Good morning Miss Paige,” Logan tipped his hat.
“Hello Trin,” Rosa greeted.
“Well Rosa you would certainly add some class to the establishment,” Frank chuckled a little and I wondered what they were talking about as h greeted me.
“I already do Frank,” Rosa smiled. “Would you like to see how classy I can get?”
“Frank, pleasure to see you,” I smiled at him.
“Rosa, any class you want to teach I will bring an apple for,” Frank smirked.
“Oh yes...” Logan nodded.
“Frank, I do believe you owe me a drink...” I looked at him as Mel walked over and we greeted her.
“An apple, I dun ned a damn apple!” Rosa laughed and then looked at me, “Trin, bugger off. He’s busy.”
“Do I now? I will go out of business at this rate,” he laughed.
“When we first met I walked you to the saloon and said we should have a drink but there was other business to attend to,” I laughed.
“Now Frank.... are you the demdanding sorts of man?” Rosa asked.
“Take her up on the offer, before she has to go dashing off into the line of duty,” Logan said and I chuckled.
“Frank?” I asked and then saw Rosa leaning against the post. “Rosa are you alright?”
“Mmhmm, jes leanin’,” she smiled.
“She’s under the spell of a full moon I think,” Logan whispered to me.
“Demanding not really Rosa, busy yes, any of you that wants a drink should follow me to work I shall endeavor to provide,” Frank looked around.
“Was kinda hoping we could be alone?” I smiled at him.
“Oh lord here she goes, with the alone line,” Rosa shook her head.
“Miss Paige! without your chaperone?” Logan laughed.
“You wanna come, Logan?”
“That will depend on wether they are thirsty I believe,” Frank raised an eyebrow.
“No Logan is staying here, right Logan?” Rosa looked at him.
“Alright... no I’ll stay Miss Paige,” Logan grumbled.
“Alright then,” I chuckled. “Alright Frank, compromise. We’ll go to the saloon, public place, but get our own table?”
“As you wish,” he bowed a bit and said, “Follow if you dare to be alone, Trin.”
We started walking down the street but not in the direction of the saloon. “Frank I was kinda hoping we could go to the saloon?”
“Hope springs eternal my dear,” he said and led the way to a building just outside of town.
We walked inside and I looked around, “Nice place.”
“Do please sit,” he motioned to the couch. “I will get a drink. Brandy?”
“Whiskey? Coffee would be even better. With whiskey mixed in.”
“No coffee sorry, just the whiskey then,” he said and went to pour the drinks before walking back to me. “Chocolates on the table; help yourself.”
I sat on the couch and took the drink but ignored the chocolates for now. “Thanks, Frank.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Paige. Now down to business... You wish to seek a story?”
“Just wanted to touch base. We haven’t talked in a while... and you still owed me that drink...”
“And as a newspaper woman you like to know what’s going on in your ‘patch’ so to speak?”
“Let’s put business aside and just talk without the agenda for once, hmm? I try to get to know new people in the town and we really haven’t had the opportunity.”
“Ahh but can you do that/” he laughed quietly.
“Well sure.”
“So be it then,” he nodded.
“Trin Paige,” I reached out my hand. “Nice to meet you. I write novels based on stuff going on around town. What is it you do, Frank?”
He accepted my hand and brushed his lips across the back of it. “Frank Drevon. Harbour master for Amiville and part owner of this establishment.”
I swallowed and let him release my hand first as I asked, “And what exactly is this.... establishment?”
“A house of ill repute, shall we say.”
“Define?”
“A whorehouse,” he chuckled.
I coughed on my whiskey and asked, “You have a lot of... ladies working for you yet?”
“Our first just arrived off a boat last night,” he smiled.
“Oh really?”
“A charming woman from San Francisco.”
“Hmm... No one I know probably then.”
“Wasn’t afraid of Bill when he came busting in last night. Quite a woman.”
“Bill was here?” I looked over at him and he nodded. “You must get all sorts of men here.”
“Would you like a tour?” he asked and then said, “We do yes. So we take some precautions.”
“What kind of precautions?” I asked and he stood, walking to the wall. “What kind of precautions, Frank?”
He moved a curtain aside and unlocked the door behind it, swinging it open. “So those drinking don’t annoy those here for... other things.”
“I’m listening,” I nodded.
“Come, I won’t bite... Usually. Would hurt business to get a bad review.”
I sighed and figured I should go anyway, with the ideas floating around my head. He showed me around the building and then I asked, “Frank can I ask you a financial question?”
“Certainly.”
“Do you pay your girls?”
“Of course. I know a lot don’t pay much but we don’t want every pox-ridden creature here. We want our girls to have a reason to take care of themselves.”
“What if things get... violent?”
“We will be seeking security,” he said and motioned downstairs again. “Shall we?”
“Sure Frank, I need to check on some things at the office... One question though.”
“Hmm?”
“This girl from San Francisco... I’m guessing you won’t tell me her name?”
“Why not? Her name is Alice.”
“Alice what? So Frank... This Alice person... She have a last name?”
“Alice.... something. I am sure she will tell you herself if you visit her.”
“Where could I find her?”
“Right here when she is on duty.”
“Thanks Frank, you’ve been mighty helpful. Guess I should head to work. And thanks for the drink.”
“You are very welcome, Trin,” he smiled and I held out my hand for him. He brought it to his lips once more and looked in my eyes as he kissed it.
“You do that so well, Frank,” I smiled.
“If you ever need to undercover or earn extra money...... just come see me,” he grinned and I wondered how he could read my thoughts so well. “I won’t tell the busybodies.”
“I’ll be honest, Frank, I’m considering it. I want to talk to this Alice person first though.”
“Word of warning if you do consider it seriously, you may end up under someone like Bill.”
“I had thought it. Is why I’m second-guessing the idea.”
“Honestly Trin, as you are walking down the street look at every man you see and think if you could do the most intimate things with him you can imagine. And if you can’t, then don’t. I don’t believe you have the temperament for it right now. It would harden you.”
“We’ll talk soon, Frank,” I reached up to caress his cheek and walked outside.
I walked over to the sheriff’s office and sat down at the desk to work on some reports when I heard talking outside. I heard Sara looking for me and went outside to see her.
“Ah Sara, hello. Are you okay? Sorry I was just getting some paperwork done.”
“Yes, was hoping you had a minute.”
“Sure. Come on in,” I said and she walked in, sitting down at the desk. “So what can I do for ya?”
“Well, yesterday I heard an interesting discussion about miss Mai... and I was hoping you could confirm, or expand.”
“Oh did you...”
“Yes, apparently she was injured the other day? In the shootout?”
“Investigations are still ongoing. To be honest Sara I’m not sure how much information I can divulge at the moment...”
“Ah okay. Well, I just thought, because of that other woman trying to intimidate me about her earlier. So trying to get a read on miss Mai... but if its part of an investigation, I understand.”
“It is; I’m sorry hon. I wish I could talk to you about it more but...”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll just be careful about either of them.”
“Sara, I do wish I could say more, and I know we need to be careful around them.”
“It’s okay. I’ll assume the worst and act accordingly. Better safe than sorry.”
“Probably best,” I chuckled. “That’s what we have to do every day. Expect the worse.”
“Well, thanks Trin. Appreciate the time.”
“No problem, Sara. Be safe.”
“You too. Have a good day, or try anyway,” she winked and headed out of the office.
Adder came inside then and I smiled. “Hey taurus. Sara wanted to tell me she had heard an interesting discussion about Mai, that she was injured the other day in the shootout. She said she’s trying to get a read on Mai.”
“What did she get?” he asked, interested.
“Nothing she was just trying to ask me if we could tell her anything about Mai. She’d heard that she was injured in the shootout...”
“Ah.”
“I told her we couldn’t tell her much because the investigation was still ongoing.”
“Aye. All sounds mighty intriguing.”
“She said she’ll expect the worse and just be extra careful. I told her that’s what we have to do every day. She seemed to take that okay and headed out. How’s the leg, Taurus? I see you got yourself a crutch”
“I made it myself,” he grinned as we heard Pablo yelling advertisements from the cantina. “It’s sore, the second bullet went in near the first and the leg tore between them.”
“Reckon we should go talk to Pablo hmm? Want me to go get him here for you?”
“Aye, please Trin.”
I walked down the street and found Pablo standing in front of his cantina. “Ah Pablo, fantastic.”
“Hola senorita. Can I help you?”
“I sure hope so.”
“Miss Trin, good morning,” Lali said coming over and then looked at Pablo. “Senor Espinosa? I got your summons.”
“Ahh hola senorita. Si, ah good. I theenk we need to talk.”
“Yes of course. You are interested in the cantina?”
“I was hoping you could come talk with me and Taurus,” I looked at Pablo.
“Si, well I have sort of been entertaining here already,” Pablo admitted.
“Yes I have heard, well I will make you a very good price,” Lali said.
“He’s at the office and can’t move because he’s on a crutch due to the knee injury...” I said.
“Si, I can do that in a while.”
“Oh, you need to go with Miss Trin?” Lali asked.
“Really...” Pablo rubbed his chin. “What you call a good price? Si, in a while. But first to business.”
“I can wait,” I nodded.
“Miss Trin, I will not take long,” Lali promised.
I sat down at a table and listened as Lali and Pablo talked about the business. I remembered I needed to talk to him for the paper too. I looked at Pablo and told him I really wanted to talk to him, and he and Lali completed the transfer of ownership so that Pablo was now running the cantina.
“Pablo,” I said when it was obvious that he was ignoring me now.
“Si Senorita, can I help you?”
“Can we go talk in the office?”
“You know this is my busy time,” he sighed. “You keep getting me to go to the office.”
“I do, Pablo, but was under the impression you still want to talk to us too.”
“Not more burritos I hope.”
“Because Taurus can’t barely walk. And he wants to talk to you.”
“Who?”
“Adder. And Logan, I’m sure.”
“Adder... Adder... Oh, the sheriff.”
“We won’t take long, I promise.”
“I’m waiting for my brother to arrive,” he sighed.
“Leave him a note where he can find you. Please, Pablo.”
I looked over and saw Logan walking over to us. “Ah good, Logan.”
“Ahh, hola sheriff.”
“Callaghan, we have business to do.”
“Yes yes... of course.”
“Taurus wanted to talk to Pablo about something but he seems reluctant on leaving the restaurant.”
“Pablo... I wondered if you might be able to come to the office for a moment. If you’d like, I can stay here and watch it for you. I don’t mind. I’ll even serve the burritos.”
“Is he okay?”
“Taurus? He’s fine, just on a crutch so he can’t walk well.”
“Okay well, what you want now? Time is money, senor.”
“I’m very serious! I’ve always wanted to try my hand at being a chef,” Logan insisted.
“I have a new cook senor. A Mexican one,” Pablo insisted.
“No I mean, I will watch your establishment while you go to see Adder. Are you trying to imply that the irish cannot make burritos?”
“Of course they can’t,” Pablo said and I coughed at that.
“I’ll have you know that we are fine chefs at Mexican cuisine.”
“The Irish.”
“Of course,” he said.
“I’m honored to see so many lawmen in the cantina at one time,” Pablo said as Adder walked over then.
“This better be good Pablo. I’m not supposed to be out the office,” Adder grumbled.
“What? Oh thaaat.”
“You said earlier you wanted to talk to me?”
“Ahh is a sensitive matter. Si, I do. I forget.”
“That offer still goes for me to watch over your grill,” Logan said.
“You know a marshal called Nate?” Pablo asked and then said, “No, senior. I just bought this. I no want it burned down yet.”
“Hermano?” a voice shouted then.
“Yeah I know him,” Adder nodded.
“Juan, my brother! Over here! The cantina!” Pablo shouted back.
“Hermano! Hermano! eez you!” Juan came over excitedly.
“Right, well I had a little accident earlier,” Pablo said and then looked at his brother. “Si, is me... my brother. Is good to see you. Come in, sit down. Ignore the lawman... I try to. Come drink, I be with you in a while.”
“Eez very good to see you again, Brother,” Juan smiled and stepped into the cantina.
“This is my brother Juan. Is a good man. Anyway, sheriff.... he try and bribe me earlier, the marshal that is.”
“Juan! Pleased to meet you. I’m Sheriff Calaghan. Your brother has told us such nice things about you,” Logan smiled at Juan.
“Juan, Detective Trin Paige,” I reached out to shake his hand as well.
“Eez very nice to meet you too Senor!” Juan exclaimed.
“The marshal Nate, he try and make me shoot two lovely senioritas. I say no...”
“And then you shot him?” Adder asked.
“He try and give me moneys. I give the money to the senoritas.”
“For senoritas, he means bandits,” Adder summarized.
“He get mad and draw his guns and try and shoot me so ...I sort of shoot him down.”
“Eez a pleasure Senorita,” Juan shook my hand firmly.
“Si, tu es muy guapo, señor,” I smiled and spoke in Spanish to him.
“What more can a man do?” Pablo asked.
“What.... guacamole? This is not time to be snacking Miss Paige,” Logan looked at me.
“I always knew you were good shot, Brother,” Juan looked at Pablo.
“See, that’s not what I heard Pablo,” Adder said.
“Wasn’t talking about food, Logan,” I chuckled.
“Si well you know me weetht he ladies..i can’t see a senorita in distress,” Pablo said.
“Which ladies, Pablo? Do you know their names?” I asked.
“Si, I’m not surprised senor..is because I am Mexican.”
“Eez always been your speciality, Brother,” Juan nodded.
“I heard the Marshal was trying to make an arrest of a known and wanted outlaw. Another outlaw stepped in to fight the Marshal,” Adder said.
“One was called Kitty, I theenk,” Pablo said.
“The Marshal offered you money to help him, and you attacked him instead,” Adder said.
“No, is not true.”
“Kitty? What kind of a name is that? Does she work at the brothel?” Logan asked and I thought he might have meant Cathy.
“He ride into town no word ..just try and fight the lovely senoritas.”
“Nate was trying to arrest Cathy,” Adder explained. “On a legal warrant. Another female bandit tried to stop him.”
“He should of said that instead of trying to bribe me senor.”
“Nate offered Pablo money in exchange for help,” Adder said. “Pablo sided with the outlaws.”
“He did not just ride into town. He said why....” Rayce put in then as she walked over.
“Really, he offered me one thousand dollars.”
“Eez this your Cantina, Brother?” Juan asked.
“I remember what you say and I turn the money down. I no want the trouble senor.”
“Don’t give me that rubbish.”
“I geeve the money to the ladies you can ask them. Is true. Then he try and shoot me so I defend myself. Nothing more.”
“You shot a US Marshal, and tried to free a wanted criminal,” Adder looked at him. “I should lock you up right now.”
“I no free nobody they were free anyway. I wouldn’t try tha senor. Not good idea right now. I no want to be arrested right now.”
“No?”
“I have a cantina to run senor.”
“Tough.”
“And my brother, he is just back home.”
“Pablo, I don’t give a damn.”
“Eez real nice to see you brother,” Juan smiled.
“You too, Juan.”
“It could be your brother, your mother and your aunty’s cat, it makes no odds,” Adder said seriously. “We told you to stay out of trouble and you shot a US Marshal.”
“You shot a Marshal, and didn’t stop until he was down,” Rayce said.
“In self defence like you say,” Pablo said.
“Rubbish.”
“Eez no problem Brother.. They just lawmen.. they won’t hurt a fly,” Juan looked at Pablo.
“If I no shoot heem he shoot me,” Pablo said.
“I saw you, I heard you,” Rayce looked at him.
“Well we would rather not hurt any flies... or your fellows either,” Logan put in then.
“No I wont hurt a fly. A cantina owner? Maybe,” Adder said and I looked at Rayce, knowing we had a witness.
“Then go away and leave us alone senor and nobody get hurt,” Pablo insisted.
“Eez a lot of lawman een town at the moment, Hermano,” Juan looked around.
“I am just a local business man senor,” Pablo said. “I protect my business is all.”
“You are an extortionist, a liar and you shot a marshal,” Adder looked at him.
“He kept chasing the Marshal down,” Rayce put in. “I. Saw. You.”
“No is not true he come after me,” Pablo promised. “The doc here she no like me because of her store..she is bias. You no see it all senorita. You must of been drunk or something.”
“Sheriff Nate will collaborate. I fixed him,” Rayce said and I tried not to laugh as Adder began writing something down.
“I fix him too,” Pablo laughed.
“See,” Rayce sighed.
I looked at him and said, “That sounds like a threat, Pablo.”
“Look is just one less marshal. I no see the problem.”
“What are you writing Senor? eez not about us eez eet?” Juan looked at Adder.
“One corrupt marshal, at that.”
“None of your business,” Adder said.
“That doesn’t give you the right to kill a man. You’d be charged for murder. And we’d all know it was you since you just threatened it,” I said.
“Everytheeng eez my business Senor,” Juan insisted.
“Is not your will is eet senor?” Pablo asked and I raised an eyebrow at that. “I theenk it best for you all to go away and theenk about this problem.”
“It’s an arrest warrant request,” Adder told him. “I’d suggest you stop the threats.”
“Eez arrest warrant Request?” Juan asked.
“Is not a good idea like I say... I no in the mood to be arrested today senor.”
“Unless you want me to add more charges?” Adder asked.
“People like you make this town dangerous,” Rayce pointed at him.
“Making burritos?” Pablo smirked.
“Shooting law.”
“Wait, I’m in possession of a dangerous taco?” Pablo laughed. “He was corrupt. He try and bribe Pablo.”
I sighed and wished we could talk to Nate as Juan said, “Eez against the law to make Tacos? Thees place eez veery different..”
“Eet is if your mexican Jaun,” Pablo said.
“It’s against the law to make them as badly as Pablo does,” Adder said.
“So you no going to arrest me then sheriff,” Pablo asked.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to see a judge,” Adder finished writing and walked into the courthouse.
“You have a nice time trying to find one senor!” Juan chuckled and waved.
“Pablo, was wondering if I could talk to you about the newspaper...” I said hesitantly, staying where I was.
“Si, senorita.”
“I was wondering if you wanted to put together a new ad for me for this restaurant since you’re the new owner?”
“Come have a seat. And Logan, if you are staying and not arresting me..have a seat. You a good man when you not hiding behind the badge.”
“Si Hermano.. ¿Qué pasa con esta mujer detective?” Juan nodded to Pablo.
“Ella está bien .. no hay problema ...” Pablo said.
“So Pablo. Maybe you could do a quick writeup about you and your brother taking over the restaurant...”
“The cantina, si.”
“Perhaps take a new picture as mine wasn’t the greatest... Maybe of the two of you together in the restaurant.”
“Write something nice.”
I handed him the sheet with the prices for advertisements on it and he took it to look it over. “It’s not due until a couple of weeks so you have some time.”
“Si si well I theenk the double spread is good...200 dollars si?”
“If the writeup is long enough,” I smiled.
“If I no get arrested first,” Pablo laughed as Adder walked over.
“Well then you’ll have something to do while you’re in the cell; write an advertisement piece that is.,” I chuckled and winked over at Logan and Adder who were being remarkably quiet.
He paid me for the advertisement but I said, “You can pay me when you give the ad, Pablo. No rush.’
“Is done I no want to be in your debt,” he said and handed me the money.
“Okay then, thanks Pablo. I appreciate it.”
“On the table in the middle ...go look is all there.”
“Thank you for your business, Pablo. It will look good in the paper. Will help to know your story,” I smiled and took the money.
Logan nudged Adder then and I stood. Logan excused us and I followed after him and Adder towards the office. Tessa walked close behind and we sat down at the desks.
“Okay so what is up?” Tessa asked.
“How are your little ones?” Logan smiled.
“They are fine.”
“Good to hear... I’ve heard that you’ve taken in the little boys that lost their father. Quite noble of you.”
“Yes I did.”
“You seem rather short Miss Tessa. I can assure you that you are in no trouble at all. I heard that there was an issue with the Black brothers, and that you were also one of their victims.”
“I’m going for Pablo,” Adder said then.
“I got shot, yes,” Tessa nodded. “But I am fine.”
“Want help, Adder?” I offered.
“Aye, please.”
“Oh I’m glad that you were able to get medical attention. Why did they shoot you?” Logan asked.
“And Logan? I’m sure Miss Tessa won’t mind waiting five minutes,” Adder looked at him.
Logan followed us out of the office and Tessa waited while we headed for the cantina.
“I told you sheriff I no want to be arrested right now,” Pablo said the second he saw us.
“Eez not going to happen!” Juan argued.
“You should be arrested for murder!” Lali exclaimed.
“There are children in here amigo,” Pablo insisted.
“He’s under arrest for shooting a lawman, and possessing an unholstered weapon,” Adder declared.
“Then don’t make this hard, Pablo,” I looked at him.
“Is no going to be hard no being arrested.”
“Pablo. You are under arrest. It’s not up for negotiation.”
Juan moved his hands closer to his shotguns and said, “You better stay away Senors!
“Come now, and we wont add attempted extortion to the charges,” Adder insisted.
Pablo drew his guns and we all drew our weapons as Lali took Tyler’s hand and excused themselves from the scene. I held my gun on Pablo but Tyler wouldn’t move. Lali offered candy and Tyler finally followed her. We started to run around and ran after each other while shooting, but the brothers ran while throwing dynamite in the street to block our path.
“Well then.. back to Tessa,” Logan holstered his guns and we sighed, following him back to the office.
We closed the door and Logan asked what Tessa had witnessed with the Black brothers as we sat, frustrated with how that went down. “
“I was going to following them by they shot me and ties my hands to a bench,” she explained.
“Did they say anything to you?” Logan asked.
“They wanted to fix her up. They shot the doctor that was with me and tied her to a post I think.”
“Rayce correct?”
“I don’t know what her name is.”
“I see. And then what did they do with you?”
“I told u they shot me and tied my hands to a bench.”
“Yes... but you are obviously in here now so surely you are not still on the bench. What else happened?”
“Well they did a crappy job of tying me ..probably in a rush. I managed to get my hands free.”
“And then?”
“I tried to untie the doctor and left.”
“Did you wait to see if she escaped?”
“No. I probably should have.”
“No no I don’t blame you at all for running.”
“But I was carrying a baby and was worried.”
“Did you hear them say anything else while you were there?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. If I think of anything or remember anything, will let you know.”
“I would certainly appreciate it,” Logan smiled.
“Can I go now?”
“Of course,” he nodded and opened the door for her. “Thank you for coming in.”
“So did you get anything useful from that conversation with Tessa?” I asked when we were alone with the three of us.
“I’m going to go get a little nap. Wake me in about 10 minutes.”
“Bye boss,” Adder said and we got to work on some paperwork.
***
I knocked on the door of the marshal’s office and saw Stacie sitting at her desk. The door was open so I walked in and said, “Ah Stacie, good.”
“Howdy Miss Trin.”
“Was wondering... What are the charges on Juan? We only have a warrant on Pablo at the moment.”
“Something I can’t help ya with. Unholstered weapons and shooting law,” Stacie said.
“Excellent, that’ll do.”
“And anything else ya wanna throw at him.”
“We appreciate your help greatly,” I chuckled. “Well we’ll go with those charges then. Thanks again, Stacie. I’ll head back and tell Adder and Logan.”
“Okay, you have a good day, Trin.”
“Thanks, Stacie, you too.”
I walked out of the office and walked towards the sheriff’s office. “How they doin back there, Callaghan?”
“Ah, they’ll live,” Logan assured.
“Ah Rayce, hello. More peaceful of a situation this time?” I asked her.
“Can I beat them?” Adder asked.
“Thank you Sheriff. They are all patched. Yes Detective Trin,” she nodded to me.
“So now what, I pay and go home?” Pablo laughed from in the cell in the back.
“Glad to hear it. Taurus you need help translating in there?” I smiled.
“Nah, the boys are just telling me how sorry they are,” Adder said. “Now then, now then. What’s the times and bails...”
“With Pablo back there... seems you two aren’t seeing eye to eye,” Logan said.
“Adder in case you’re wondering... We’re holding Juan on unholstering his weapon in town and shooting at law,” I relayed the message from Stacie. “And well, anything else we can throw on him.”
“Vamos a salir de aquí y dar a ese mariscal stacie lo que se merece, y luego quemar este lugar hasta los cimientos si ,” Pablo told his brother in Spanish. I smiled as I understood what they were saying in English: “Let’s get out of here and give that quarterback stacie what you deserve, and then burn this place to the ground, yes?”
“For your efforts,” Logan handed her a bag of coins.
“Thank you Sheriff Logan,” she smiled and then said something softly to here.
“Vamos a hacer más de lo que el hermano, quiero hacerle pagar .. Corté su garganta como ella lo hizo a Juan,” Juan said back to his brother and I thought about its translation: “We will do more of what Brother, I want to pay .. I cut her throat as she did to John. “
“Creo que tenemos que secuestrar a ella primero, hacerla sufrir , pero en silencio me gusta para ejecutar la cantina.” Pablo replied, talking about kidnapping Stacie, though Pablo wanted to keep it quiet as he was running the cantina.
Pablo said something in Spanish about leaving the newspaper lady alone as he’d like to take me to bed and I chuckled, looking over at Adder and Logan. “Remember when I told you I speak fluent spanish?”
“Aye, Miss Paige,” Logan nodded.
“Is a country dialect..you no understand these is lost in translation,” Pablo told us.
“Stacie said we’re holding Juan on unholstering a weapon in town, and shooting at law, and whatever else we can throw at him,” I told Logan.
“Good enough for me,” Logan nodded.
“And Pablo, I understood every word,” I looked over at Pablo.
“Sounds like someone is in trouble,” Logan smirked.
“You hear that, Juan. Trumped up charges,” Pablo muttered.
“By my count, Pablo has 3 counts of Unholstered weapons and 3 of Shooting law. Juan has two of each,” Adder declared.
“Is that all? Is just a misdemeanor,” Pablo complained.
“Can we add harassing the newspaper lady to that list?” I asked.
“Unfortunately I can’t charge you with being a pain in the ass,” Adder said.
“Eez you who comes to our Cantina..” Juan said.
“Eez you who pulls a gun on me,” Adder replied.
“Self defense. You were wearing a badge.”
“You drew first. Both of you did,” I pointed out.
“You also fired first,” Adder said.
“Is best way to not get killed, si?”
“Best way not to get killed is to come along when I ask you to.”
“Only reason we come back is because I have a business to run here.”
“Bain triail as a shábháil fear asal agus féach cad a dhéanann sé. Roinnt buíochas,” Logan muttered, which meant “Try to save her ass and see what it does. Several thanks.”
“Or you would be back to sleeping on your porch,” Pablo said.
“So ok how much I pay to get out sheriff? All you lawman have a price no? Is ok I know how eet works. I pay you... I no tell anyone.”
“Can we also add threatening Marshal Rage to that list, Logan?”
“We deed not threaten anyone!” Juan exclaimed.
“I geev you all ten dollars si? And you let us both go,” Pablo guessed.
“‘Creo que tenemos que secuestrar a ella primero, hacerla sufrir’... Is what you said, I believe?”
“The man is right, if he pas the bail, he is out,” Logan began to count on his fingers.
“Pablo’s bail is $450... Jaun’s is 300,” Adder counted.
“Oh bail..si si bail is that what you call eet?” Pablo asked.
“What eez the time?” Juan asked.
“Pablo’s time is eight hours.”
“HOW MUCH!??” Pablo exclaimed. “I’m worth way more than that. You can add another few more zeroes.”
“Eez eight hours!” Juan sputtered.
“Juan’s time is five hours, twenty minutes. A few more zeroes? ok Pablo, 800 hours,” Adder said then.
“Whaaat?”
“You said add more zeroes.”
“You do realize that we’ll be stuck in here with him right?” Logan looked at Adder.
“At least I’ll be able to understand what they’re saying,” I chuckled .
“Eef you like to say with us.. eet eez no problem,” Juan said.
“Hey, can I have my trombone in here? Or my trumpet?” Pablo asked.
“Sure, but I’ll double the sentence. And burn your cantina.”
“Are you kidding? How about I give you a string and you can make yourself a guitar,” Logan laughed.
“Logan, you didn’t take away his violin or his trombone,” I muttered.
“I’m sure I can make an instrument from something. Or maybe I just sing.”
“Can we gag him?” Adder asked.
“Ah, we ought to give the man some entertainment. He’s going to be here for awhile,” Logan laughed. “I’m going to go get some paperwork done...” he said then and disappeared into his mound of paper.
I continued to listen to Pablo and Adder banter back and forth and I told Pablo he could forget about the ad in the paper. He said I was corrupt as the law here and I went out to do some paperwork.
“Well that was fun,” Adder came out eventually as Pablo and Juan went to sleep.
“I may give it to him when he pays his own bail, I may not. Haven’t really decided yet after that comment about wanting me in his bed.”
“He said what?”
“Dejamos esa señora periódico es muy bonita .. me gusta llevarla entre las sábanas = leave that newspaper is very nice lady .. I like to take it between the sheets.”
Frank came to the office then and he said, “You know the senseless attempt to burn down the marshals office of which I helped to putt out?”
“I do. Do you have new information?” Adder asked and stepped outside to talk with him.
When he came back in the office Logan asked, “And what are you doing running around on that leg?”
“Well?” I chuckled at Logan.
“Scuse me a second you two, just need to write it down,” Adder said.
“Of course,” Logan nodded.
“I’ve just been across the street! Calm down, mom!” Adder muttered.
“I’m going to tell Katherine,” Logan laughed.
“I had to do it cause you weren’t here. Want to tell her that?”
“And just where were you, Callaghan?” I looked at Logan.
“I had to use the outhouse.”
“For an hour?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Two hours,” Logan looked at his pocket watch.
“Has it been THAT long?!” I looked at Adder.
“Aye, I reckon so.”
“Sheesh I’ve been sitting here writing for two hours... Time for a break. What did Frank tell you, Adder?”
“Let me write it up, woman!” Adder grinned and I shushed.
We sat for a while and then heard crackling sounds and saw the occasional flashes. “Something going on out there, Callaghan?” I looked over.
There was knocking on the door and I kept my hand on my gun as Logan went to open the door. “Yes?” He looked at the woman’s torso and said, “You sure do quite a few wardrobe changes.”
“Me come to talk to you, Logan,” she said and looked around the room. “Cloth hurts me. Cuts on me tummy.”
“What can I do for you?” Logan asked.
“You need help in town. You not have enough man power to keep town safe from outlaws,” she said, going over to take a seat next to Adder.
“This is not news.... We do indeed have an issue.”
“Me think you should hire some people Mr. Logan,” the woman said.
“I intend to. Just waiting to find the right people suitable for the task.”
“What makes a person skeptical?”
“They would have to have no prior history with outlaws, for at least a couple of weeks or involvement in any crimes. Also, they would have to be able to communicate properly...”
“Having a notorious outlaw call you an associate doesn’t help,” Adder said and I suddenly realized they were talking to Mai.
“So, you not interested in Red Skins?” she asked and looked at Adder. “What outlaw you speak of?”
“Their skin color has nothing to do with it. However, they must be trustworthy and clean as far as their record goes.”
“We not associates silly man. You not pay attention very well,” Mai rolled her eyes.
“He said so himself,” Adder said.
“He sure did,” Logan nodded. “Multiple times.”
“He did? What were the exact words?”
“‘She is my associate,’” Logan replied.
“Well, all me can say is that... I’m a valuable asset.”
“We aren’t manipulating words here at all. He claimed that you both share the same enemies therefore you work together as associates,” Logan laughed. “You would be indeed, but at the moment, considering your involvement with a man who is set on killing the deputy here...”
“Aii... We both loathe Buckshot. He a bad man.”
“As is Buu,” Adder put in.
“Me not say he a good man. But, if you play cards right, you can make him ally,” Mai said and I coughed, so she shot me a look.
“He’s made it perfectly clear that he has no intention of being friendly with us,” Logan shook his head.
“I’d sooner castrate myself than have a man like that as an ally,” Adder said.
“Look, let me explain it this way. You Pale Skins are not experienced warriors. You can’t hold off Buck and his gang alone. Even with Marshals. You need some one who fought Buck many times in battle, and know how to beat him quickly before people get hurt,” Logan said.
“But Buckshot Bill did all that to you,” Adder nodded to Mai’s injuries.
“At the moment... I don’t think you realize. We have a serious issue of trust in this town...” Logan shook his head.
“Aii, to me. But, not to Buu. Bill ambushed me, stupid man,” Mai looked at Adder’s leg. “You no stronger than me, apparently.”
“At least mine is just my leg.”
“Now look... What would you do if Buu were to come in here and start shooting? Tell me that...” Logan looked at her.
“All me saying is, let the outlaws kill the outlaws. This make it safer for you both.”
“I’m happy to let them do that. Outside of this town,” Adder said.
“By all means,” Logan agreed.
“I try to talk to him. He won’t shoot me. We have an understanding. This is all.”
“And what about us?” Logan frowned.
“If you allies of mine, you be safe. Me plan on making it to where Buck can’t sneeze in this town without being sacred. Cathy too.”
“You banging him Mai?” Adder asked and I coughed.
“You serious?” Mai rolled her eyes.
“Not particularly. He didn’t seem to like my joke yesterday either,” Adder laughed.
“I’m afraid, that at the moment, you cannot be trusted in the slightest. Not after having Buu in here yesterday declaring you as an accomplice. Our job here is to arrest the outlaws, not fight beside them,” Logan said.
“Look Adder, just because I not scared of the opposite sex, doesn’t mean I a whore,” Mai said.
“I never said that,” Adder shook his head.
“Could be monogamous...” Logan grinned.
“You implied it. Don’t insult me intelligence, stupid pale skin,” Mai said.
“Nope, I asked if you were banging one person. I’m clearly not that stupid. I wanted to wind you up, and I have.”
“Is that all that you came here for?” Logan glared at her.
“I have only man I share me bed with, and it ain’t Buu,” Mai sighed with anger and nodded. “Aii, that all. And me want to know what you plan to do about Buck?”
“What makes you think we’d tell you?” Adder asked.
“That is for us to worry about... by all means, do your part in helping the town if you wish. It would be appreciated,” Logan sighed.
“Uh he almost kill me, that why you should tell me. Fine me help, and prove to you me honest about turning over a new leaf, as you pale skins call it.”
“Plus theres your issues with the Cherokee from Wyoming,” Adder put in. “I don’t particularly want to fight them off.”
“Two weeks of good behavior, and then we can discuss this again,” Logan nodded.
“We come to understanding as well,” Mai shrugged.
“I might ride out when I’m fit and ask their chief in person,” Adder said.
“You will be receiving a thorough background check as part of the hiring process. So if you have any loose ends... tie them up. Not literally of course....” Logan nodded.
“Go ahead, we tired of war. Me tired of being bad. It take to much work,” Mai said.
“You lot have the easy part. We have to tidy up after your little bits of fun,” Adder laughed.
“Well I do hope that you are serious about it Mai...” she smiled. “It get me tortured. It not worth it.”
“Well, Ol’ Bill wants to give me some of what he gave you,” Adder said.
“Me serious, I promise on Great Spirit.”
“Yeah, it seems everyone is after the deputy lately,” Logan said.
“Most of it’s unwelcome but er...” Adder said.
“This not surprising, that man is all about revenge, and marking his territory like wild wolf. He is a man of low self esteem.”
“If you are serious about turning over a new leaf, prove it Mai. I’m sure you’re aware of this towns opinions of the Marshals. We don’t need that kind of talk about this office,” Adder said.
“Look, me sorry for calling you stupid, and other names I not repeat. I be nice to you now,” she smiled sweetly at Adder.
“We’ve worked very hard to gain the confidence of the townsfolk,” Logan shook his head.
“What about the Marshals?”
“If you’re serious, then I will not insult you anymore either,” Adder nodded.
“Well, the townsfolk seem to have a lack of faith in them at the moment. Though we aren’t sure as to why... just yet,” Logan said.
“Hmm, maybe cause one Marshal is related to a gang member. Or maybe it’s cause, another Marshal is a woman beater. They a messed up group of people, who only interested in getting ahead. They lazy.”
“You think you can do this, Mai? No more fraternizing with the likes of Harley Buu? No more fighting illegally?” Adder asked.
“I know me can do it Adder. I tired of hurting people for no reason.”
“Well, I cant speak for Logan or Trin, but i’m prepared to give you the chance to prove it.,” Adder said.
“I’m fully supportive of it as well,” Logan agreed but I stayed quiet.
“Aishen Adder, me appreciate that. You not so bad after all,” she patted Adder on the shoulder.
Logan laughed at me not responding and whispered to me, “She needs a little time to heal.”
“From what, me do nothing to her,” Mai said as if hearing Logan but I folded my arms across my chest.
“You’ve done it to this town though Mai,” Adder said.
Mai sighed, “Me sorry Trin if I hurt you in some way.” I stayed quiet and she said, “Oh, one more thing.”
“Yes?” ogan looked at her.
“Me hear some of you and Frank’s conversation. Me think I should tell you, the woman who burn Marshal office has the exact same body build as Rayce.”
“Oh?” Logan cleared his throat and said quietly.
“That is interesting information,” Adder nodded.
“Aii, and i know she in Buck gang. she to friendly with them. She bitter about being fired, she makes snooty comments all the time.”
“Anything else you can tell us Mai?” Adder asked as Logan looked toward the wall.
“Me know everyone knows I was the masked bandit. So, keep lookout for the woman who started the fire,” Mai sighed and looked over at Logan scratching his arm. “What matter with you?”
There was a knock on the door and a woman walked in, wanting to talk to a lawman. Adder and Mai continued to talk and I decided to go get something to eat and headed out of the office.
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