Amiville.
The next morning I walked into town thinking it was awfully empty around. The saloon was empty too and I decided to go check on Tristan. A man stood in front of the clinic and I asked him if he’d heard any updates. He said that he seemed to lay still and that he wasn’t conscious yet.
“You’s gots real problem with the law in this town though,” he told me then.
“Hmm? Problems with the law you say?”
“An Injun woman along with Marshal Jake chase me down and she done scalp the top of my head, leavin’ me for dead in Wyomin’. Just now made it back.”
“I can’t believe that,” I gasped. “Jake is a good cop.”
“Maybe so, maybe he likes Injuns’ women better.” I shook my head, not wanting to believe all that I
was hearing about Jake. He took his hat off to show me the bloody mess then and I couldn’t believe
it.
“I don’t like the sound of this, Sir. Did you get the doctor to look after you?”
“Not yet. I see she’s in.”
“Let’s go inside. I want to check on Tristan.”
We walked into the clinic and I told Ida that the man needed to see a doctor. He said his name was Jackson and continued to tell the doctor what happened, while I went over to Tristan’s bed, putting a hand on his arm. I slid my hand down his arm and sighed, looking down in his eyes and realizing that he was one of the first people I had met in this town.
“Tristan, can you hear me? It’s Trin... Trin Paige...” I tried to talk to him. His expression never changed and I sighed, wishing he could at least talk. make me look like an idiot when we first met.”
I shook my head and turned from the bed, looking over to Jackson. I asked if he would be okay and he said that he would survive. I told him my name and that I was trying to figure out what had been going on around here. I walked out of the clinic, wishing I could find some answers.
Walking down the street, I stopped in my tracks when I heard Bravo whistling Dixie. He said that he was a Confederate soldier so he liked that tune and I sighed, having bad memories from hearing that song months before.
“Well I s’pose you know I’m getting married, right?” he asked eventually.
“I heard that,” I nodded and looked away.
“Jus because I’m getting married to another woman don’t mean we can’t still be friends.”
“You’re marrying the woman who killed my best friend, Bravo.” I looked away from him and shook my head as I walked down the street toward the saloon.
“Do you have proof that she killed him?” he shrugged.
I found a girl who was looking a bit weak and she said she would be fine if she got some food. I told her about the candy store and the hotel and then continued on down the street. Greeting a man further down we talked about his horse that was a bit wild and how he’d been mining.
Jackson walked past soon and I asked him if he was feeling better and he said that he was. “Figurin’ best not stay round here too long. Law in town all a muck.”
“It used to be more peaceful,” I nodded.
“When the law works both sides, the town dies. Reckon head down to Texas, least with the outlaws, you know which side they is on.”
I looked down at the mention of Texas and he asked, “You been there, ma’am?”
“I used to live there... Before I moved here.”
“I see. Would be a nice town to grow roots, once the law is sorted.”
“It will be sir, we just have to find the source of the problem and eliminate it before this gets any worse.”
“Yes ma’am. Maybe the saloon be buyin’ tained whiskey.”
“Gramps wouldn’t do that. He’s clean,” I went over and leaned against the railing as we talked.
“Maybe some law been smokin’ that Injun whack weed. That stuff can drive a man to do just plum stupid.”
“Who knows. Somethin’ ain’t right, Jackson. That’s all I know.”
“Yes ma’am. Need to get a big hose and flush the rats, that I know.”
“Indeed, Sir. Indeed.”
“What be with that feller in the clinic? Doc say not much.”
“He was beatin, Sir.”
“Seem a right bit more than a head bump.”
“I’m still tryin’ to find out the rest of that story.”
Logan walked over and I smiled, “Ah, Logan. Good to see you!” I blinked twice and asked, “Is that a badge you’re wearin’, Logan?”
“Sure is, Ms. Paige,” he tipped his hat and smiled.
“Bout time this town got some good law around here. Congratulations, Logan. Can I buy you a drink to celebrate? Or can’t ya drink while you’re on duty?”
“Well honestly, I’m not a fan of the drink either way. But I do thank you,” he smiled at me.
“Well you can hang out here with us,” I chuckled. “Good view of the goings on in the town. I actually was hoping to talk to you about something serious,” I hesitated then. “Maybe we could just sit and talk in the saloon?”
“Of course, Ms. Paige,” he nodded.
We said goodbye to Jackson and he held the door open for me as we headed into the saloon. “Logan I... I’m worried,” I said when we’d sat down at the table.
“What is it, Ms. Paige?”
“Rosa came to me yesterday. She asked for my help in this whole thing that’s goin’ on with the marshals. She wants me to help her find answers... to figure out what’s goin’ on.”
“Well to be honest, I’m not quite sure myself of what’s going on with the marshals,” he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “Will you enlighten me, please?”
“Well this whole thing with Tristan...” I started. “What really happened to him? I heard he was beaten, that’s all I know. I don’t know by who or where or... Or what’s happened to Peep... or if she even knows...”
“Ah yes, the man in the coma. As I was only appointed yesterday, my knowledge on the case is rather limited, you see. Though I am aware that we are looking for a man that goes by the name of ‘Levi’, I believe?”
“Levi, hmm? I’ve never heard that name before.”
“That’s what I’ve heard Ms. Trin... though the grapevine of course. Not really official information.” He set his elbow on the table, as if attempting to look relaxed as he asked in a hushed voice, “So exactly what kind of help is this ‘Rosa’ asking you for?”
“I don’t know... She’s a judge and she needs help that’s all I know. I haven’t talked to her much since.”
“I see. Did you witness any of this incident?”
“No, Sir. I was out of town this weekend in Louisiana. Came home to find Tristan in a coma.”
“So what could she possibly be hoping for you to help with?”
“I don’t know. Guess she knows how hard I look for the story... I’ve been investigating things for a while with different cases around town.”
“Oh I see what you mean now,” Logan sighed.
“Why the sigh, Logan?” I raised an eyebrow.
Avery shook his head and tossed his cup in anger hearing the conversation. He walked out of the saloon angrily and I watched him with worry.
“Is he alright?” Logan turned as he heard the cup fall.
“Tristan was... is... a very well-loved marshal around town. I guess everyone’s taking it pretty hard.”
“That’s understandable,” Logan nodded. “However, on this matter of you digging for the story...”
“Yes...? You can’t stop me from doing it logan, it’s what I do. I find the truth.”
“I understand that you are a skilled reporter Ms. Paige, but you really must be careful with the particular case. You see, he took down a slew of people... Oh I’m not by any means going to tell you what to do... Only that you should use caution,” he added.
“‘He’ being...?”
“The gun man, Ms. Paige.”
“Levi,” I summarized and patted my gun, winking at him.
“Well if you are assuming that you can defeat a man who has shown his skill by taking down several men... I can’t really be the judge of your capabilities.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” I winked at him. “Thank you for the information, Logan. I should be on my way.” Standing, I slid my hand around the back of his neck slowly and said, “If you hear anything more, Logan... You’ll let me know?”
“You’ll be the first to know, Ms. Paige,” he stood and smiled at the contact and I went over to talk to Sara who had come into the saloon.
We talked about our trips over the weekend and how her aunt had recovered so she felt better about that. We talked about Tristan a bit and I said that I intended to find out what was going on, even though the deadline for the paper was in three days and I had nothing except now the name of a possible suspect.
“Yes, a Levi something or other, I heard,” Sara commented.
“Yes. I don’t know him but I feel like I’ve heard the name before, now that I think about it. He’s bad news, Sara, I know that much.”
“He sounds dreadful,” Sara walked out from behind the bar and came closer to me.
“I do have some good news though...”
“Oh?”
“Mmhmm...”
“Really, what?”
“I spent this past weekend with a certain man.... Told him I was falling in love with him... S’pose we’re courtin’ now .”
Her eyes widened and she said, “Oh Trin! That is good news! Lord knows you could use a bright spot!”
“It is good news. Bout time, wouldn’t you say?”
“I guess,” she laughed with a wide smile.
“His name’s James.”
“Oh! Fantastic!”
“He’s been protecting me, keeping me safe while I investigate things...”
“I was wondering,” Sara laughed.
“Was only natural that after we spent so much time together we’d end up courting.”
“That was going to be my first guess,” she smiled.
“It was hmm? Can’t keep anything from you, can I Sara?”
“Lucky guess,” she smiled.
“I feel like a school girl, Sara. I can’t stop smiling.”
“Wonderful to see you so happy.”
“Bout bloody time is all I’ve gotta say. God knows I’ve paid my dues.”
“Good things come,” she winks.
“S’pose they do.”
Mikk and JC came into the saloon then and we continued to talk, letting the morning pass on. We watched as Logan had a conversation with Jackson about the marshal situation, and I perked when Jackson said that they mentioned something about a woman claiming to be a Pinkerton agent.
“Pinkerton, you say? I’ve been wanting to look into them fora week or so now.”
“Yes ma’am, though I reckon I don’t know what it is,” Jackson admitted.
“They’re some investigating agents over in Georgetown. Word on the street is they ain’t very straight themselves.”
“Pinkertons... I see. So this Pinkerton indian, she is not a marshal, correct?” Logan clarified. .
“Correct, Logan,” I nodded. “Not that I know of anyway.”
“She wasn’t no law, sir,” Jackson agreed.
“Wahl, ah coululd’ny halp but over hear all ya’lll, and fer as ima concerned, all the law in this ole town is pretty near useless, aint got no grdges, ere hates any, but fer as law, hail, they dunt knows how ta does there job,” JC put in then and I nodded in agreement, as did Logan.
“Even if they do have outlaws in town, seems there’s only one law here and they just let them go. Cause they can’t do anything by themselves.”
“Well, I’m here now, and I intend to do my job properly...” Logan smiled at Jackson.
“Is why I’m relieved Logan’s here now,” I agreed. “I know he’ll be around more often.”
“Well been my experience when there be bad law, good law ends up dead,” Jackson pointed out.
“It aint tha isssue of bein round, its more ta do with the way they dunt follow up on thangs,” JC put in.
“True story, Jackson,” I nodded.
“Sounds to me like some of the citizens who have the best intentions ought to start joining the law team.”
“Ah was Law, left ‘em fer mah own reasons,” JC said.
Logan looked to Jackson with a slight frown and said, “I don’t intend to get myself killed. You see, typically in these cases, the ‘bad law’ aren’t as clever as they think themselves to be. And I plan to use that to my advantage.” His comments made me smile, and I realized I liked him already.
“Well you best keep yer head down then,” Jackson advised. “Seems these ain’t got no respect for nobody.”
“Well, I’ll stay quiet for now, until I get a better knowledge of what is going on here,” Logan smiled.
“I hopin’ you all figure this out. Fine town; shame to see it be corrupted like this,” Jackson sighed.
“Since you seems to know quite a bit on the crooked law folk, I’m wondering, do you know if they had something to do with that incident that put that man in a coma?” Logan asked him.
“Nupe, and them ah thought were friends, or used ta call ‘em thet, did somethin thet danged near left me ta die, sos no use fer any in general,” JC complained.
“That I don’t know, Sir,” Jackson admitted.
“I do appreciate all of the information you’ve given me. This puts a whole new light on things really,” Logan said.
“Think I’m gonna head home, gentlemen,” I looked around. “Logan, perhaps you could walk me home if you’re done here?”
“An’ Miss Trin,” Jackson turned to me. “I be knowin’ some Ute myself that are powerful good healin’s. Maybe I asks them come by. Look at that feler in the clinic.”
“That might be helpful, Jackson.”
“Of course, Ms. Paige,” Logan nodded.
“Thank you, Logan,” I smiled to him and walked down the street beside him. “Thank you for the escort. Don’t feel safe bein’ out on my own. Bein a newspaper publisher comes with its own dangers...”
We walked in silence and then I stopped in front of my office. “Well this is the place. Thank you for walking me back, Logan.”
“Very good then,” he smiled.
“Nice to know we’ve got some good law around.”
“It was my pleasure Ms. Paige. I want to do all that I can to help ease the tension between the citizens and the law... still not rightly sure as to what i’ve gotten myself into. But I’m going to do my best.”
“You’ll keep me posted if you hear anything more about this? I’m tryin to write an article about it for the paper and the deadline’s friday.”
“You can be sure of it,” he nodded.
I reached out my hand to shake his and he held it up, kissing it carefully. I blushed and he told me to have a good day and I smiled as I watched him walk down the street again.
***
Later that morning I walked out onto the street and headed toward the saloon. Sara was watching some activity in front of the marshals’ office. I headed off in that direction, hoping to find some answers. When I got there I saw Jake Stone, Logan and Chels as well as a woman I didn’t know.
“Howdy Miss Trin,” Stone greeted me.
“Jake, hey.”
“Howdy Trin,” Chels smiled.
“Ah, there you are again Miss Paige,” Logan turned to me.
“You need better name. Something to describe your tribe and fire hair,” the girl glared at Logan.
“Tell me, Miss Mai. What would you suggest?” Logan chuckled lightly, amused, then winked at me casually.
“Chels, have you seen Despres lately?” I asked Chels.
“Of course. Why do you ask, Trin?”
“Or Rosa?” I blushed at Logan’s wink and said, “Chels, maybe we should... talk inside.”
“Well going inside isn’t any more private.”
“I call you flame walker,” Mai said to Logan. “This good Shoshone name.”
“Flame Walker... now that is an interesting one,” Logan laughed.
“Well sure, and I guess they all know what I’m gonna talk to you about anyway,” I looked at Chels. “I’ve been hearing some things about Despres and I don’t like it.”
“Well Miss Trin, you know we never discuss our work with anyone,” Chels said.
“I know, Chels. But in the interest of full disclosure I heard Jackson tellin’ me that Despres and some Indian left him for dead last night.”
“Some Indian eh?” Mai asked me.
“Jake went to bed early last night, so you must of heard wrong,” Chels shrugged.
“That’s the story I’m hearin’,” I looked to Mai then. Turning to Chels I said, “I assure you, Chels. I didn’t hear wrong.”
“Who was it left for dead?” Mai asked.
“Jackson. I don’t know his last name.”
“I am afraid you did, Trin,” Chels said.
“All the same I’d like to talk to Despres when he’s around again.” I looked to Logan and then said, “You heard the same story I did, didn’t ya?”
“What they do to him?” Mai looked around suspiciously.
“Trin, are you law?” Chels shrugged.
“Forget it, Chels. Just forget it,” I shook my head and turned, making one more look between Jake and Logan.
“I plan on it,” Chels said.
“Yes, I did hear mention of the story. Involving a man named Jake and a native lady...” Logan said, looking obviously uncomfortable as I walked down the street and headed to the saloon.
Pablo came over to me while I was in the street and said that he had an idea for a story article. I suggested that we talk about it in the saloon and we went to sit down. He told me that he had been the unfortunate victim of the law. He told me how a few weeks ago he went to the marshals to tell them about one of their marshals being corrupted. They tried to arrest him on the spot and he resisted, so he was taken to jail.
“Now this in itself is wrong i theenk,” he continued.
“They arrest people too quickly around here,” I said.
“But that’s not all. I was not charged with anything... just let go... but before they did I was beaten and dragged from the jail and strung up on a pole and they throw rotten fruit at me.”
“Who was it that did this?!?” I gasped.
“Marshal Stacie, Marshal Chelsea, and one other marshal I forget his name. They all laugh at Pablo, but I was not charged. Now since I have a lot about the marshals being, shall we say, heavy handed with other people recently... like our own mayor. I think you have a story here.”
“This is getting out of hand.”
“Is about time they were held accountable for their actions.”
“Somebody damn well should be,” I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Pablo. I really am.”
“Now I have a checkered past, but now I am an honest Cantina owner. But they still sneer and treat me like I am on the bottom of their boots. All I want is for people to know what I have been going through...”
“I know, Pablo. That’s what I’m here for.”
I looked to the door and saw James walking in with Dutch Solo close behind. I felt my heart start to pound and gripped the table to stabilize myself. I looked over at James and Dutch greeted me. “Hey Trin.”
“Dutch...” I started. It had been so long... I looked back to Pablo and said, “I’m sorry, Sir. I will try and see what I can do about this.. story.”
“Miss Trin? You okay?” he asked me.
Rosa greeted me and then talked with Dutch for a bit. James walked in and waved to me as he saw me. Pablo stood and told me to let him know if I needed any more information. I told him he knew where to find me and I asked James if he wanted to join me. Dutch said something to Rosa about consistency and I couldn’t help but cough loudly as James sat down.
I asked Rosa if she wanted to talk to me and she said that it could wait. “How has the day been treating you, Trin?”
“I’m guessing life just threw me one hell of a curveball,” I said, looking in Dutch’s direction.
“How so?” James asked.
“James, you remember me telling you about the story I was writing when I first came to Amiville? The man who was murdered and then we all found out he was alive the whole time, as I’d expected?”
“Yeah I faintly remember.”
“Dutch Solo,” I nodded in Dutch’s direction.
“Yeah? What ya need, Trin?” Dutch looked over at me.
“Just tellin’ James who ya are,” I looked over at him, wondering how long he was planning to stay in town this time.
“Who doesn’t know who he is, is the question. He gets around,” Rosa said and then stopped.
“Surely seems pretty much alive and not like a ghost,” James noted.
“He sure ain’t no ghost,” I said, shooting Rosa a look with a smirk and Dutch gave her a look too. She stuck out her tongue and smirked at us.
“So Dutch. Ever figure out who wanted you dead?” I looked over at Dutch.
“I think it mighta been Rosa,” Dutch joked.
“Hun, if I killed ya... I woulda made sure you were actually dead.”
“She probably wants you dead now... I meant the first time. When your brother was mistaken for you. Gaide still in jail by the way?”
“Nope, he’s off to Texas helpin’ Ascot’s father out with some work.”
“Oh is he... How’d he manage to get out of jail?”
“Now you jes go on being a figment of my imagination mister ghost.”
“So what else been going on in town except Dutch appearing outta nowhere?” James asked and I focused on him as Rosa and Dutch kept talking.
“What’s going on with Tristan? I keep hearing mumbling about him?” Dutch asked then and I looked over.
“Oh Dutch, he’s in a bad shape,” Rosa hugged Brendan as he came over.
“What on earth happened?” Dutch asked.
“Is Tristan going to live?” Tessa asked.
“Least we do hope so,” James put in.
“I dunno, I jes know I’m trying to put it all together and figure it out,” Rosa said. “Got a few more folks to talk to.”
“Can we go home, James?” I asked James, not knowing how to be around Dutch. It felt so weird being near him.
“You sure, Trin?” he asked me.
“Yeah, I’m sure. Just havin’ trouble focusing.”
“Has it to do with a certain person?” James asked softly and I nodded. “I see.”
“Can we...?” I looked at James as the chatter continued around us.
“If it helps you clearing your mind I’d even drag ya to good ole Ireland.”
“Don’t tempt me,” I chuckled.
“Where’s the temptation in that?” James chuckled.
“James, before ya go, I’d like a moment with you,” Rosa said.
“Sure, for a minute Rosa,” James said to her.
“I’ll wait outside, James,” I looked over at Dutch and then just walked outside without another word.
Dutch came out after me and asked, “What’s on your mind, Trin?”
I looked at him, speechless. “I don’t even know where to start.” Mai and Jackson walked over and I asked, “Dutch.... Maybe we should...”
“Mister Jackson, would you mind coming with me for a moment? I have a few questions,” I heard Logan say as he came over.
“Let’s walk over to the Diner and talk,” Dutch suggested and I followed him. We sat down and he said, “So what’s on your mind, Miss Writer?”
“I never thought I’d see you again,” I said, keeping my eye on the group in front of the saloon. “‘Cause ya ain’t been here in months.”
“Well darlin’ I’m a bounty hunter gotta go where the bounties are. I been down near the Mexico border for a good long spell, and all the while tryin’ to figure out who killed my brother, and tried to kill me.”
“Right... Any leads on that?”
“Not yet. I won’t quit ‘till I figure it out. Well ya still ain’t told me what ya thinkin’.”
“I honestly don’t know what I’m thinking, Dutch.”
“Well, ya called me out here, doll.”
“Guess I did...”
“Aye, ya did.”
“I guess I just... wanted to greet you properly... Alone... So much has happened since you left. This whole thing with Tristan... I don’t like what I’m hearing.”
“Well catch me up. What’s been going on?”
James walked over and I asked him if he wanted to join us. As he sat down I said, “I don’t even know, Dutch. All I know is that Tristan was beaten down and he’s been in a coma ever since. I ain’t seen Peep around, so I have no idea if she even knows. He was one of my first suspects for your murder,” I chuckled at the memory.
“Yes, I recall that from the book.”
“Sure, if I don’t disturb the reconciling of old friends,” James said.
“Have a seat, James.I guess it’s a good time for you two to get to know each other too. Dutch... This is my.. uh... This is James.”
“How do, James,” Dutch nodded.
“James, the infamous Dutch Solo.”
“So much I already heard,” James said.
“Not sure how infamous I am,” Dutch shrugged.
“Anyway Dutch I hear they’re looking for a guy named Levi,” I said.
“Levi, huh?” he asked.
“Been lots of reports though that the law around here ain’t doin what they’re supposed to.”
“That’s old news,” Dutch shrugged.
“Arrestin’ people for no reason... Waistin’ their time... I’m done dealin’ with the marshals. I’ve got a source on the sheriff side of things.”
“Speaking of suspects,” James started.
“Yes?” I looked over at him.
“Rosa just told me they do look for someone named Bob in relation to Tristan’s case.”
“Bob. I don’t reckon I know any Bob,” Dutch said.
“Oh really? Bob? Not Levi?” I asked.
“That’s what she said, Trin.”
“Well Rosa is a pretty smart cookie,” Dutch said.
“The paper deadline is Friday and I have squat on this story,” I sighed. “I need help here, guys.”
“Well you can bet I’ll be asking about it,” Dutch promised.
“I know you and Tristan were close,” I nodded. “Are close.”
“Yes we are. He’s a good friend.”
“If you hear of anything Dutch...? You’ll tell me?” I asked.
“Trin, we will talk again soon. James, it was a pleasure to meet you,” he nodded. “I need to take care of some business.”
“We’ll be in touch then,” I nodded, watching him walk away. As he left, I reached over to hold James’ hand. “It’s just a lot to see him again. So much history...”
“Oh? Mind telling me then?”
“Well... shortly after we met in person... We were kind of dating a bit I guess. But he wasn’t around much. Then he just up and disappeared and I haven’t seen him since... until now.”
“So quite an awkward situation, I suppose.”
“It doesn’t have to be, James. I’m with you now. Dutch had his chance but he left.”
“Then you should slate it clear before he hears from someone else.”
“You’re right. He needs to know the truth.”
We sat there for a while and then James walked me home.
***
Tonight I decided to walk into town and check on Tristan in the clinic. Seeing no one in front of the door, I went inside and saw Buu.
“Buu, you alright?”
“Yeah, jes keeping him company,” he nodded.
I looked over to Tristan on the bed and asked, “How’s he doin’?”
“I dunno. No one’s told me nothing.”
“Me neither. Feel like an outlaw the way the law are treatin’ me lately.”
“Well I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
“Getting frustrated. Feel like I can’t do my job ‘cause no one’s talkin’. And if they do talk it’s to bash the marshals, but I can’t confirm that story ‘cause they won’t talk to me.”
“Trin, look down at the bed a second.”
I nodded and looked to Tristan, sighing. “I’m sorry Buu... my problems ain’t near as bad as his.”
“Exactly.”
“I just wish I knew what happened to him...”
“Why? As far as I know you weren’t close to him, was ya?”
“He was one of the first people I met when I came to town. We never dated, no. But I did tell him I
had feelings for him one of the first nights I was here. Nothing ever happened though... Guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“Which is fine, ‘cause that’s life... But... I just hate seein’ him like this. Even if he did make me look
like an idiot in the courthouse that day...”
“Trin have you had feelings for just about every guy here?”
“No, Buu.”
“What are you on? Sixty percent?”
I shook my head and ignored him as I walked out of the clinic. I walked over to the saloon and saw Bravo standing at counter. “Bravo we need to talk. I need help here and I don’t know who else to go to.”
“Yeah, bout what?”
“I want to know what happened to Tristan. And why.”
“Oh it’s simple. He kicked in the door and took a shotgun blast to the face,” he sighed. “Why do you
ask?”
“Come on, Bravo. It ain’t that simple.”
“Well those two bankers got kidnapped... And Trist, me and Clif went after this fella. And we went in guns blazing. We did good ‘till I took a bullet to the knee and Trist took a bullet to the face.”
I looked at him, knowing he was telling the truth. “Well that’s more than I’ve been hearing.” I saw Rosa standing outside and said, “Bravo excuse me a second would you? I need to talk to the judge.”
“Well darlin’ I need ta get home,” Bravo said and I headed outside.
“Rosa. You busy?”
“Hey, sorry. I was in thought.”
“No problem. You want to talk now? Things seem pretty quiet.”
“Oh yes, sure.”
“Where would you prefer?”
“Well let me check on Tris and I reckon we can talk over there?”
“I just checked him before comin’ here. Buu was sitting there with him. Nothin’s changed. I really can’t go into the clinic anymore today, Rosa. It’s too...”
“Oh, okay well eems like you getting information. I need to see what you can come up with about
Tristan and what happened.”
“Bravo told me some interesting things just now.”
“Oh? Like?”
“More than I’ve heard in the past couple of days. Bravo said that he, Trist and Clif went after this fella who’d kidnapped these two bankers...”
“Mmhmm, go on.”
“He said that they went in guns blazing until he took a bullet in the knee, and Trist. in the face. First I’ve heard of this, Rosa. No one wants to talk it seems.”
“I heard he was beaten,” Rosa looked confused.
“Yeah that’s what I’d heard first too. The stories don’t add up, Rosa. “I don’t know what to think.”
“Bravo told ya this?”
“He just did. Right before I came out to see you. Reckon I should talk to Clif too, hmm? He said he had to go home. Bravo, that is. I gotta say, Rosa... It’s nice to finally talk to someone about this. The deadline for the paper is in three days and I have absolutely squat.”
“Ok...” she looked at me.
“I feel totally lost. And hearin’ all this stuff about Despres...”
“Yeah.”
“Somethin happened with Ami this weekend and I don’t even know much about that...”
“Yeah I need to talk to her again.”
“And I try to talk to the marshals to confirm what happened but...”
“Yeah, they ain’t talkin’.”
“That’s when I went and talked to Bravo tonight. He ain’t marshal so he could tell me what happened. Sounds like he was there when it happened. So at least I know who was involved... Do you know anything about this kidnapping thing?”
“I see... Sounds odd,” she shrugged.
“It does, don’t it? I mean yeah Bravo’s a nice guy and we were together for a bit but... I ain’t sure if I can trust him for information, you know?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Back when I met him about the Dutch Solo thing... He told me about Hav Taraug. No one else had ever mentioned that name.. Hell, I didn’t even know Bravo existed as a half brother till then.”
“Hav?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Nothing came of it, Rosa. Dutch still doesn’t know who killed his brother... And there’s been no mention of Hav since.”
“Bravo is Hav’s half brother?” she looked at me.
“No, no. Bravo is Dutch’s half brother.”
“Geez, they multiply,” Rosa blinked.
“You don’t know the half of it, I guess. You know whose body they really found in the mines that day? The one that wasn’t actually Dutch?” She shook her head no and I said, “It was Justin. Dutch’s triplet brother.
“Like rabbits,” Rosa rolled her eyes.
“I guess Justin was not completely there mentally... so if I remember correctly he was killed in the cave there... Or rather outside of the cave. Dutch was inside the cave.”
“I dun think half the Solo’s are there mentally,” she snickered.
“It’s been a while since I thought about all this but I guess with Dutch returning and all... It’s bringing things back to me, you know?”
“Yeah, I understand.”
“I just... Tristan was one of the first people I met here in town, Rosa. Remember that day he told Zakk I knew who killed Dutch and we had to go to the courthouse and testify when I really didn’t have any proof.”
“Yeah.”
“Is the only thing I remember from interacting with him.. We rarely talked after that... He started goin’ with Peep and I just let them be. But I’ll never forget that day. I guess that’s why I wanna know what happened to him. I want the truth.”
“Tristan is a good man and a good friend,” she nodded.
“So what do we do now, Rosa?”
“I keep asking questions,” she answered.
“I feel so lost with everything going on... from the scalping incident yesterday and blaming Jake and Mai for it to the thing with Ami this weekend... And then this thing with Tristan... I just don’t know what to make of any of it.”
“Yeah it’s hard.”
“And it don’t help that no one’s coming forth with information.”
“Yeah, which makes it harder.”
“And if they are I can’t verify it ‘cause the people involved ain’t talkin’ to me. So what do we do, Rosa?”
“They ain’t talking to anyone it seems.”
“What the hell do we do?” I sighed, getting frustrated.
I watched Rosa walked over to Despres then and she asked if he could come to her office. Chels tried to get them to stay at their own office and I got on Cletis and rode out of town.
Kansas.
I rode out to Hawk’s village and saw a man I had seen before. “Sir...?” I started.
“Hi.”
“Hello Sir. I come in peace. I am a friend of Hawk.”
“This isn’t my camp.”
“We met once in fact... you and I... I don’t know if you remember me...”
“I am also a visitor. We meet a lot of white people. It is hard to remember all the names and faces.”
“I understand,” I nodded. “We met in the saloon back in Amiville.”
“Yeah. We used to go there a lot for coffee and tea.”
“Daso and another man I have met as well.”
“Indeed. I don’t see you there much anymore.”
“That is my cousin. We moved our camp, a couple of times in fact. We do that a lot.”
“I come out here to get away from town once in a while. Things are crazy there right now. I just needed a break.”
“Really? What is happening over there?”
“Tristan’s in a coma. Don’t know what happened to him exactly, still verifying stories.”
“I have no idea. What else is going on over there?”
“Dutch Solo has returned.... There’s something going on with the law... something not law-like.... involving the mayor.... But no one’s talking about that either.. And there’s somethin’ about another marshal leavin’ a guy for dead to be scalped out in Wyoming. But no one’s talkin’ about any of it and I’m getting frustrated.”
“Well...”
“The paper comes out a week from today and I have nothin’.”
“The rock wall between these lands that they call Kansas, and those that they call Colorado and disappeared. And the river flows west of here as it did before,” he explained and I wondered if this was a riddle. “Strange things happen here all the time.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Things rarely make any sense.”
“Sir... If you don’t mind... I need to lay down and try to rest.”
“I am just a visitor,” he shrugged.
“Guess Hawk won’t mind me usin’ one of his teepees to sleep? No one seems to be here.”
“Go ahead. Plenty of room in these things. They are ENORMOUS.”
“Goodnight, Sir,” I chuckled. “The name’s Trin, by the way.”
“I’m Gosh’tleesh, or Gosh, or Red Clay. I’ll answer to any of them.”
“Gosh... Pleasure to see you again. Rest well, Sir.”
“You too. Goodnight.”
I chose a teepee and went inside, closing the door and laying down on the rug. I fell asleep the second I hit the ground.
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