Sunday, March 22, 2015

October 4, 1869

Amiville. 

This morning I played poker with Adder, Logan and Rayce in the newspaper office. I h Heard Kitty and Pablo talking outside the window about setting the place on fire. I ran out of the building when we heard the flames and smelled the smoke. Logan had gone off to let Juan out of jail and I ran out and tried to find Adder or Logan but couldn’t find them anywhere. 

“Adder?!” I shouted, seeing Bravo standing in the street. He was near Nell, though and I hesitated. I turned around and ran around in a panic and found Ida. “Ida! Did you see Adder or Logan?!”

“No. Try to look in Georgetown.” 

I nodded and ran that way, hoping to find them. 

Georgetown. 

I found Adder and a woman and called, “Adder!” 

He turned to me and said, “They got away.” 

“You know what.... Never mind. Hey there. I’m just getting this man to the clinic,” the woman said. 

“Oh my gosh Adder! What the...”

“And that crazy fake doc stuck something in me.” 

“Leave him to me. I’ll take him.” 

Amiville. 

We went to Amiville where we found Logan and I exclaimed, “Logan! He said that doctor injected him with something.”

“What was it... do you know?” Logan’s eyes narrowed. 

“Ma’am, let him go. We’ll take care of him,” I told the woman. 

“We can keep on about this or we can pay me and let me be on my way,” she nudged Adder with her boot. “Now maybe your friends will pick up the tab for ya?” She looked at Logan and said, “You know.. that man that did that i cant get a reading on him.. wont even tell me his name that fella just is keen on insults.. but don’t you worry when I’m not being a hero for downed men I intend to find that one and give him my thoughts. Fifty coins and I’m out of the way,” she smiled. 

“How much do you want?” I asked. “Fifty? Done.”

“Hand him over now,” Logan said firmly. 

The woman smiled and put the money in her purse. “Deal’s been honored.” She leaned down and whispered something to Adder and then walked out of the clinic. 

“Are you okay, Taurus?” I looked at him with concern. “Now go on, ma’am. You’ve got my money. Leave us alone.”

“I need a doc,” Adder groaned. 

“Come on Adder, we’ll get you to a doctor.” 

I followed them to the clinic and glared at the office as we walked. “Damn mexican,” I muttered as we passed and then sat on the bed, feeling lungs being clouded by the smoke. “Logan... ya might want to... find a doctor..” I coughed. “Tell me you saw Kitty and Pablo outside...”

Logan walked outside and I looked over at Adder. “I heard Pablo talking about setting the place on fire through the windows...”

“I saw them running away. They both shot me.” 

“Thank God. Then we know it was them.”

“Did Logan let his brother out yet?”

“No idea.” 

“I hope not.” 

“Was the doctor who injected you the same one who was here the other day?”

“Yes.” 

“Goddamnit Deputy!” Rayce walked into the clinic. 

“Howdy Miss Rayce,” Adder tried to grin. 

“Are you alright Detective Trin?” Rayce asked me. 

“Just coughing from the fire... Are you okay?”

“It will last for a few hours....” she nodded and cleared her throat. 

“I’m more worried about Adder. And getting those sons of... who burned my building.”

“All I saw was Adder lying in the street... I didn’t even see the doctor.”

“I don’t work here....Sheriff....” Rayce looked at him with raised eyebrows. 

Logan looked around and asked, “Does it matter in this moment?”

“She wants paid,” Adder groaned. 

“Order me to....” Rayce pursed her lips. “I don’t want to be paid!”

“Fix him now woman...” Logan grinned. 

“I don’t want to get put in jail for practicing in here when fired. I thought you were healing everyone now, Rayce. No matter whether it was here or not. You’ll get put in jail for not practicing when that man obviously needs your help, and you told us you’d heal anyone.”

Rayce washed her hands and gathered the supplies. “Not in here, the hospital. I could be in trouble for practicing here....now outside, I can do it.” 

I looked to Logan for help and he said, “Well, I’ll take the blame if there is an issue.” 

“Who’s gonna know, Rayce?” I asked. 

“Karan hates me, she would do anything to see me in jail. I am not taking chances, but if I am ordered by the Sheriff to do it,” Rayce smiled at me and looked over Adder. 

“Not about to see the deputy die due to lack of doctors,” Logan said and looked over at me. “And Miss Paige, what do you need?”

“We saw them running away. Kitty and Pablo. We heard them through the window talking about the fire before they started whispering. What I need, Logan, is for them to be behind bars. I want my damn office back.”

“Well, at least we know who is responsible,” Logan said as Rayce continued to work on Adder and gave him medication for the pain. 

The door opened and Fritha walked in and said, “Ah, hello. And what have we here today, now. Why, hello Trin. Sorry to see you’re here.” 

Rayce smiled at Fritha while she pulled the bullet out of Adder and dropped it into the bowl. “More outlaws.” 

“They burned my newspaper office. Then Adder went after them and they shot him down. This was personal, Fritha.”

Logan backed up to give Fritha room. “Oh thank God you are here... the deputy has been injected with something by a deranged man.”

“That too,” I nodded. 

“Injected, Trin?” Fritha looked at me with concern. 

“Cathy and Pablo, Logan,” Adder said. 

“Not me, Adder was,” I clarified. “I was just caught in the fire trying to get out.”

“I’m going to sew now, Deputy,” Rayce told Adder and got to work. 

“What immediate symptoms did you have?” Fritha looked me over. 

“The other one Miss Fritha,” Logan cleared his throat. 

“I’m more worried about Adder, Fritha. My throat will clear,” I told her. “I just needed to sit and calm down from the shock of the fire.” 

“Sorry, Adder was the one who was injected?” 

“Now, no shooting for a bit,” Rayce finished working on Adder. 

Logan went over to get a glass of water and took it over to me. “Drink...” he ordered and I nodded, taking the water from him. 

“Do you still have enough herbal tea for pain?” Rayce stepped back and I looked at her, thinking I’d prefer to drink tea. 

“Well, I’d give laudanum or morphine for pain myself, but mm, maybe different approaches,” Fritha suggested. “Now, Adder, what happened? You were injected, I hear.” 

Rayce got a small bag of tea and brought it over to me with a wink and I smiled. 

“A man, he’s done it before in here,” Adder nodded to Fritha weakly. 

“What were your immediate symptoms afterwards?” Fritha asked. 

“Oh, I didn’t think he wanted to be out until after the statement....” Rayce said to her. 

“He was here just the other day. Wouldn’t tell me he is name or what he injected... the man with,” I said. “I saw him with the outlaws though...”

“Have you suffered any convulsions?” Fritha asked as she examined him. 

“Perhaps you need a little rest,” Logan tried to help me lay back. 

“I don’t feel good. But I dunno if thats the shot I got in the shoulder or not,” Adder said. 

“Logan they...” I tried to sit up. 

“Have you vomited at all?” Fritha asked. 

“I’ll get you a compress...Miss Paige! Lie down....” Logan said firmly and I sighed, finally lying back as I glared at him. 

“Mr Adder, is your vision blurred?” Fritha asked. 

Adder closed his eyes and opened them, then shook his head. “I see.. spots.” 

Logan found a cloth on the table and dipped it into some water, wringing it out. He folded it and carried it over to me, placing it on my forehead. I felt the cloth and finally started to relax, though I was still being stubborn. 

“Right. That is symptomatic of poison,” Fritha felt Adder’s skin. “Do you have diahhorea and do you have difficulty in swallowing?” 

“My throat hurts,” Adder said. 

“I see. Now, how long ago were you injected?” 

Logan smiled at me and leaned down to speak to me quietly, “Get yourself together and calm your emotions so that we can work on this.”

“But they... And it was on my...” I started, ignoring the others. 

Logan held his finger to his lips and said, “Shh... rest.” I nodded and closed my eyes, falling asleep. 

While sleeping I had a dream about the fire and saw cards flying everywhere as we jumped to leave the building. I shot up out of bed and breathed hard. I heard Adder gag and looked around, seeing Fritha work on Adder’s stomach. 

“Logan...” I cried for him, not wanting to see Adder in pain but wanting to know what was happening. 

Logan came over and put the cloth over my eyes. “Don’t look. Adder is being.. washed out.” 

I reached for his hand and asked, “From...?” 

He took my hand and patted it. “Miss Paige, you’ll be fine. Just be glad that you aren’t Adder right now.”

“The fire was a warning, Logan,” “I told him. “They did it when we were inside. They wanted us to go down with it.”

“I know it... I had no idea tat Pablo could be so vengeful,” he nodded. 

“Guess he really didn’t like me shooting his brother. Though in all fairness... Stacie and Jake are the ones he should be targeting.”

“This is true... I can’t figure it out.” 

I looked at him, trying to use our conversation to distract myself from what was going on with Adder. “I don’t think it had to do with the newspaper office.. .I think they wanted us all to be together.”

“Fritha, he’ll be alright won’t he?” Logan looked over his shoulders. He then looked at me and nodded. “We’ll get to the bottom of it.” 

“At least we saw them outside.”

“I hope so Mr Logan, but I shall keep an eye on him,” Fritha answered Logan. 

Logan lay my hand on the bed and patted my forehead. “Just relax for now.”

“I am relaxed. I want to get out of here and go arrest them.”

“Good good... I feel badly as I left the three of them in the newspaper office to go check on a prisoner. Had there been two of us to fight them off....”

“But they were talking about it when you were still here.” 

“I hadn’t noticed.... I was distracted.” 

“Don’t blame yourself, Logan. I just hope that’s the last time Adder goes to Georgetown by himself.”

“I LIVE in Georgetown,” Adder coughed. 

“Just tryin to lighten the mood, Taurus.”

“Thank you for helping Adder,” Logan said to Rayce. 

“Georgetown is one of those places where you never expect to hear anything good from,” Fritha said. 

“Of course. Always will help you Lawmen,” Rayce smiled at Logan. 

“Sounds like here too Doc,” Adder nodded to her. 

“You are a kind woman,” Logan smiled. 

“Sometimes,” Rayce winked at her. 

“Now, Adder, I have misused your stomach enough. Rest, I think,” Fritha suggested. 

“More often than not,” Logan shrugged. 

“Thank you,” Adder nodded. 

“Fritha, can I go?” I asked her, sitting up. 

“I meant with certain law...I’m not very nice when fixing them, Sheriff Logan,” Rayce laughed. 

Logan patted Adder on the belly and asked, “How you feeling buddy?”

“That just got pumped, it doesn’t feel so hot,” Adder swung at Logan and he stumbled backwards. 

Logan pinched his nose and said, “It doesn’t smell so great either. What have you been eating man?”

“So Callaghan, I got shot AND poisoned today. How you going to explain that?” Adder asked. 

“Suppose Katerine will have my head in a noose by sundown,” Logan groaned. 

I stood and stepped beside Logan, feeling more relaxed. “Logan, we need to find Pablo and Cathy. But I want Pablo. He thinks he’s gonna get me between his sheets he’s got another thing comin’.”

“Is that so?” Logan turned to me with a smirk. 

I nodded and said, “He tries to blow up my office I don’t take that lightly. Especially not when my friends are inside with me.”

Logan gave Fritha a few coins and said, “I owe you a debt doctor.... for saving the deputy here.”

“Can I go back to the office now? Please?” I looked at Logan. 

“And if Juanito gets in my way again, I’ll make so his mother wouldn’t recognize him,” Adder threatened and I chuckled. 

“Well I merely took precautionary measures, no more. I don’t claim to have saved him,” Fritha said. 

“If you are feeling well enough...” Logan nodded to me. 

“I am. Throat is a bit dry but that tea was magic.”

“Be careful out there,” Logan smiled at me. 

“Thank you, again, Fritha,” I said to her. 

“Well either way... it was good work,” Logan said to her. 

“How long should I stay in for doc?” Adder asked. 

“You’re all most welcome, Trin,” Fritha said and looked to Adder. “Until you feel well enough to move.” 

“Is that if I’m honest, or if I pretend?” Adder asked. 

“Guess we’re stuck on desk duty again, Huh Taurus?” I teased. 

“Don’t you go getting yourself worse off for moving around too soon,” Logan chuckled. 

“Aye till I get promoted after the mysterious violent death of the undersheriff,” Adder grinned. 

“Er...” Logan looked at him with worry. 

“Oh don’t worry, Logan. I got your back. And your front...” I winked at him. 

“Well... that’s reassuring I suppose,” Logan laughed. 

“Seeing as I got a couple hits on Pablito’s brother, I say it ain’t that bad is it?” I chuckled. 

“For a reporter turned detective with a gun? I’d say it was pretty darned good,” Logan nodded. 

“Actually, a novelist turned a dancer turned publisher turned detective, but who’s counting?”

“Now, about that whisky?” Adder started to sit up and looked between us. 

“Your stomach alright to handle it?” Logan grinned. 

“Think you could make it to the saloon, Adder?” I asked him. 

“Nope,” Adder grinned. “I need to rest.” 

“You want me to carry you?” Adder laughed. 

“He’s got strong arms, he could handle it,” I winked at Logan. 

“Half the time we go to the saloon we get shot at. The rest of the time, we get umm... Female interest. 

“True story,” I chuckled. 

“Logan let’s just let him rest and see if we can find our arsonists,” I suggested. 

“Well maybe we could get you a dose of female interest to lighten your spirits,” Logan laughed. 

I looked over at Adder and winked at him. “You ever need a personal medical adviser, adder, I’m sure Fritha here could give me a few tips.”

“Or I could dance for you,” Logan suggested. 

“Oh please, Logan. Not again,” I groaned. 

“What? Comic relief,” he laughed. 

“Trin? Can I?” Adder pointed at Logan, wanting to shoot him. 

“No,” I looked at him. 

“That’s it..” Logan said and started to dance right there in the clinic. I laughed at him and started to dance along beside him. Adder, meanwhile, simply pulled his hat over his face as he lay back down. 

“See, dancing makes you feel better,” I smiled and we started to waltz around. 

“Alright, we should get back to work,” Logan laughed. “I think Adder already passed out.” 

“No fun at all,” I sighed. I saw that Adder was sleeping and looked at Logan. “Onward, Callaghan?”

Adder peeked out from under his hat and quickly closed his eyes again. 

Logan pointed to the direction of the door and ordered, “Forward march.”

“Aye aye, captain.” 

We walked outside and heard Rayce shouting from somewhere down the street: “STOP RIGHT THERE!”

Logan and I drew our guns and we saw Cathy running down the street. I took a few shots at her and we saw Chelsey running around shooting as well. I saw Rayce get shot down and holstered my gun, running over to her. “Rayce are you okay?!” 

“Ow....” Rayce whimpered. 

“Where is she??” Logan cried in confusion. 

I saw a note pinned on Rayce and asked her, “You’re okay, Rayce. I’m here. We’ll go to the clinic.” I took the note and read: “To whom it may concern... Rayce tried to take me down and I just couldn’t let that happen. So sorry, had to do what I had to do. Cathy.” I looked at Rayce and said, “Come on Rayce, let’s get you to the clinic.”

I saw Adder limping over to us and said, “Adder!” 

“What happened?” 

I handed him the note I’d got off of Rayce and said, “This was pinned on her. I’m taking her into the clinic. Wait.. What are you doing out of bed?! Logan!!” I said then, seeing him come over. “Adder, show him the note. I’ve gotta get Rayce inside.”

Logan looked worriedly between me and Adder as I took Rayce into the clinic. “I didn’t see where she went!” We walked into the clinic together and Logan read over the note, following in after us. 

“Rayce tried to get Cathy...”

I looked at the doctor and told Ida, “Ida... Rayce was just shot down. We need you over here when you’re free.”

“Oh... damn...” Rayce saw the arrow out of her shoulder and leg and coughed again. 

“Okay I’m ready now. Where she hit?” 

“Rayce, calm down honey. Calm down. She has arrows out of her shoulder and her leg.”

“Calm down, Rayce. Ida will take good care of you,” I looked at Rayce. “Can you tell me what happened?” I asked, not believing the note that Cathy left. I looked over and saw a man laying on the bed and asked, “What happened to him?”

“Fall off his horse,” Ida replied as she filled a syringe with morphine. “He did fall down on his shoulder.” 

Rayce pursed her lips and didn’t look at the needle. “I saw her, and tried to turn her in. She needs to go to jail....the longer she waits the worse off she’ll be....”

“Rayce you need to wait for law to help you with that,” I told her. 

“I thought, because it was me, she’d go....” 

I looked over to see Logan walking into the room and asked, “You hear that? She was hit in the shoulder and the leg by an arrow.”

“Aye... I heard it,” Logan nodded. 

“I didn’t think she’d take me down.”

“Did Adder show you the note?” I asked Logan. 

Logan smoothed Rayce’s hair back and looked down at her. “You ought to know better than to try things like that. I saw the note... I’m quite surprised that she had time to write that out so quickly. This must have been premeditated.” 


I watched as Ida worked on healing Rayce and then headed back to the office. 

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