Amiville.
This morning I walked into the saloon and heard Tabitha mumbling something incoherent with a glare at Trax. “Ah Trin! Look Traxis - someone who REPORTS the trouble, not causes it...” she joked.
“For someone who has had protection thugs accost you as well as supposed hired killers come visit you,” Trax growled, “You sure are quick to accuse me of being rash Tabby.”
“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m sheriff Logan Callaghan,” Logan coughed and introduced himself.
“Can’t it wait until Tuesday, Tab? I’ve got too many articles to write for this edition as it is,” I winked at her.
“Don’t encourage him Trin,” Tab rolled her eyes. “Never fear, I’m sure my cousin will have filled your newspaper to overflowing by next Tuesday.”
“Just need to get some dang writers,” I nodded.
“Well with all that has been going on lately Trin... you wont have any problems filling it,” Tessa looked at me.
“That’s an understatement, Tess,” I nodded to her.
“Hello Sheriff, I’m Tabby, I’m your new neighbour, I have the candy store next to the Sheriff’s office,” she turned her back on Trax.
“Did I walk into something here?” I whispered to Logan, looking between the two.
“It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Tabby,” Logan took her hand and shook it.
“And you Sheriff, I’m sure I will see you often, at least every time I come to visit my cousin in one of your cells,” Tab smiled.
“Funny ‘cause it’s true, eh Tab?” I laughed.
“Now don’t tell me that such a charming lady as yourself would have an outlaw for a cousin...” Logan smiled warmly at Tab.
“You wanna join me for a coffee?” I looked at Trax, chuckling at the two flirting with each other.
“What is the penalty for drawing arms in town?” Trax asked.
“That would be jail time... or a bail,” Logan answered him.
“Oh he’s no outlaw Sheriff, he can be a rascal at times, but on the whole he’s a good man my cousin,” Tab blushed.
“Now if only I could remember who did such an outrageous thing....” Trax said pensively.
“Well Logan, if there’s nothing pertinent calling for my attention I reckon I’m gonna go get that coffee while I can still enjoy it,” I said.
“I see...” Logan nodded to Tab and smiled.
“I would never have brought him all the way out here from Boston if I didn’t think he had SOME redeeming characteristics,” she said.
“Not at the moment Miss Paige...” Logan looked at me. “Did you get that photograph finished?”
“It was considered best he not spend much more time in that fair city,” Tab said.
Trax smiled brightly, “Well never mind. I am sure if I remember I would report it, right Tabby?”
“Boston eh? More Boston neighbors,” Logan chuckled. “I come from Brooklyn. Have you heard of it? It isn’t far from Boston.”
“You would if I found out that you knew Trax, or I’d give you the rounds with the straw broom,” Tab turned to Trax.
“Sorry Logan, totally slipped my mind with the need for caffeine. I’ll go get that picture now,” I said to him. “Should be ready by now.”
“Goin’ toting crazy, woman,” Trax muttered.
“I believe I’ve heard of it Sheriff, not visited there myself but have heard mention of the place,” Tab said and then turned on Trax. “Traxis Vaher, I wouldn’t NEED to wear my poor dead husband’s guns if you’d stop bringing knife happy bandits to our door and well you know it.”
Logan smiled and then said sarcastically, “Lots of friendly folks there.”
“Oh that’s lovely Sheriff, what made you leave such a place?” Tab asked.
I walked across the road to my office then and got the picture and came back to the saloon. Trax meanwhile was saying, “They tend to pick on Tabby in her shop and me out of it.”
“The bandits? Which bandits?” Logan asked.
“Yes Trax, which bandits?” Tab asked. “Must have been a few of them to drag both you and Rayce off into the hills the way they did.”
“Pablo was yours cousin,” Trax said.
“You were dragged off by bandits? Did you report this incident?” Logan grew more serious as I slipped the picture to him.
“Yes, repeatedly. I was ignored.”
“Well I’m not going to ignore you. Would you like to report it now?”
“Between Logan and me you won’t get ignored, Trax,” I promised him.
“Sheriff you were there that day we had the trouble with Harley and....?” Trax tried to think. “Well one of them dragged me away to scalp me, but has been handled since by myself.”
Logan took the picture from me and then focused on Trax. “One of Harley’s men?”
“I apologize for the bickering Sheriff, it’s just that my cousin and my sister-in-law gave me a frightful scare and I haven’t forgiven them yet,” Tab said.
“You don’t remember why that day got started? A certain Indian girl?” Trax coughed and shook his head.
“Oh I remember quite well. I’m just working three cases at the moment so I have to clarify to ensure that I don’t get them mixed.”
“Well as I said the matter has been handled but it was Mai,” Trax said.
“Mai...” Tessa laughed. “That girl is going to get her self killed.”
“Ah I see,” Logan said and then turned to Tessa. “What do you know of Mai?”
“She got the Cherokee pretty upset when she burned the village,” Tessa explained.
“Harley shot me down twice that day and Mai shot me full of arrows a third time then she dragged me to the clinic but got confronted so ran off dragging me with her,” Trax explained.
“Aye, that I am aware of,” Logan nodded to Tessa and then looked back to Trax. “Where did she go with you?”
“Up north to Wymoning. Rayce followed and so did Brendan. Rayce attacked her and Mavia and another girl to save me as she was gong to scalp me. Then they shot her down, but it held them off for long enough for brendan to save us both. Then we had a long talk the next day and sorted it all out so no charges to be laid.”
“Miss Rayce did all that?” Logan looked amused. “What convinced you to drop the charges?”
“We discussed the benefits of...” he looked to Tess and Tabby and said, “Excuse my french, shit and how to avoid those benefits.”
“Benefits? What benefits?”
“Well lets just say we agreed to stay out of each others’.... shit.”
“Traxis!” Tab exclaimed.
“Sorry, Tabby face,” he apologized. “Dung?” he tried another word.
“I see. Well if you are satisfied with the agreement, then that is all that matters,” Logan nodded.
“Yep, all good,” Trax nodded.
“I do wonder though, why she keeps running off to the Cherokee lands. When she knows very well that they will feed her to the wolves if they catch her,” Logan said.
“She is a strange fish,” Trax nodded. “Well folks, I better mosey along.”
“Aye, that she is,” Logan laughed. “You have a good day Trax.”
“Take care all,” Trax nodded.
“I had better return to the candy store as well,” Tab said and turned to Trax. “And cousin, for all my scolding, you know I love you dearly and only care that you are safe, PLEASE try to stay out of trouble.”
“I am glad to have formally met you Miss Tabby,” Logan tipped his hat.
“I always try, cousin,” Trax smiled at her.
“It was my pleasure to meet you Sheriff, I am sure I will see you again,” Tab smiled at Logan.
“Oh I’m certain that you will,” Logan smiled.
“Bye Trin, see you soon my dear friend, good luck with your new job,” Tab said to me.
“Take care Tabby. Thanks,” I nodded as they walked away. I looked to Logan and asked, “Now what?”
Logan took the picture and looked at it finally. “Ah this is perfect. I have one issue though...” Logan hesitated.
“What’s that?” I looked at him.
“I am hearing through the grapevine that Miss Rosa is making a few discoveries of her own, and I’m not sure of what they are yet. I just don’t want to be sniffing in the wrong direction, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh?”
He nodded and said, “But we’ll continue with what we’ve got until we can meet with her and see what she has learned.”
“We need to talk to her for sure,” I nodded.
“What do you say we get some coffee to perk us up before the havoc begins?” he asked, nodding to the saloon.
We walked over to the saloon and Fritha joined us for coffee. As soon as we’d gotten comfortable, gunshots could be heard in the street. “Dang nab it, Callaghan. We just sit down to enjoy our coffee...” I sighed.
“I’ll be back shortly Miss Paige,” he said and went outside.
I heard more gunshots and went out to find the source of the shots. “Logan, by the marshal’s office,” I said.
Logan nodded and we walked over to the office. Frank was gasping for breath and said, “ild beast attacked me...”
I rolled my eyes, thinking he was lying, and Stacie said, “Ohh in town. I don’t see no beast, Mister. All I seen was your guns.”
Frank rubbed his bleeding leg and pointed around the corner. “A wild board attacked me and I shot it to try and make it run away.”
“Ya a do know there’s a town law that forbids drawn weapons within town limits, don’t ya?” Stacie asked and looked over. “Like I said, nothin’ there.”
“I shot in self defense,” Frank said and showed Stacie the wound on his leg. “I did holster my weapons as soon as the danger had passed.”
“I don’t trust him,” I whispered to Logan.
“A well educated man such as yourself should know that boars aren’t scared of gun shots,” Logan shook his head.
“You gonna get locked up if’n ya draw them guns again mister,” Stacie said.
Frank looked incredulously at Logan and said, “A well educated man uses anything he has when a wild animal has its tusk inserted into said educated man’s leg.”
“Yeah, use yer legs Mister and run is what ya do,” Stacie advised as Frank stuffed a bandage on the wound.
“A well educated man would know better than to go walking through the long grass when there is a dirt path available,” Logan laughed and I tried to stifle a laugh.
“Deputy Callaghan, I like trees,” Frank shook his head. “So I was walking in them. I didn’t expect to be attacked so close to the marshal’s office twice in one day.”
“Twice?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Hmm... So ya didn’t learn the first time?” Stacie asked and I laughed at that.
“Yes, twice. Once by a wild vicious killer boar and once by a homosexual gentleman named John and his friend.”
“A homosexual? Here?” Logan laughed.
“Sorry Mister, what ya meaning?” Stacie asked.
“They shot down myself and marshal Jake and his partner,” Frank said and I perked at that. “Right here.” I backed up as he walked closer to show the faint blood splatters on the wall of the office. “There, and there, and there,” he pointed.
“Which Jake, Mister? And when did this happen?” Stacie asked.
“Jake, not Jakob, Mai’s... friend,” Frank looked at her.
“Jake Stone, ya mean,” Stacie nodded.
“Lovely girl that Mai. She tried to help take down the villains,” Frank smiled.
I shot Logan a look then and he smirked, winking at me. I chuckled and Logan asked, “Around what time would you say this happened?”
“And you saw this happen, Mister,” Stacie said, “And ya can identify the men that done it, or person that done it?”
“The homosexual wanted to see a Buckshot Bill but wouldn’t give his name to Marshal Stone when asked.”
“This homosexual have a name?” I asked.
“A fake one, I believe. John,” Frank said. “Said he had a message from his brother.”
“What’s a homosexual?” Stacie whispered to me.
“Danged if I know,” I whispered back to Stacie.
“I was very impressed that a man of his sexual persuasion was so open,” Frank said, “But alas he was not like the gentleman of his kind I met in San Francisco. And then he started shooting.”
I saw Nathan walking over and said, “Hold on, Logan. I’ll go update Nathan.” I walked over and said, “Hey there Sheriff.”
“Howdy Trin,” he greeted me.
“Meet the town’s newest detective,” I winked at him.
“Well you are in the public media,” he chuckled.
“It’s a long story... Not sure how much of it’s true,” I started and spoke low under my breath. “That Drevon fellow... I don’t trust him.”
“Ok Mister Frank, so what about sayin’ what happened?” Stacie prompted, and we walked back over to join them.
“From the start?” Frank smiled brightly.
“Please,” Nathan nodded.
“Ah here we go... Now we’ll know what really happened, Nathan,” I smiled.
Frank rubbed his leg and then thought a moment before starting.
“Maybe you ought to see a doctor about that,” Logan suggested.
“Not till he tells us the full story,” I looked at him.
“Pretty much stopped bleeding now thank you,” Frank looked at him.
“Well... go on then,” Logan nodded.
“So I was talking to a young lady of the town nearby when a gentleman walked up and commented on an argument marshal Stone was having with Mai,” Frank started. “It seems Mai and Jake were having troubles as he was unsure he wanted everyone knowing about him taking her flower.”
“Taking her flower?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Her virginity,” he said to me.
“Just making sure,” I nodded, thinking this didn’t sound like the Jake Stone I knew.
“He seemed... shocked that she was talking about it in public.”
“I don’t care much for romance tails, I just need to who and what,” Nathan said.
“As you wish,” Frank nodded to him.
“I’m sure it’s a compelling story, but as I understand time is short.”
“So this gent wandered up and marshal Stone asked his name he refused to give it and asked for Buckshot Bill. After repeated requests it started to get tense. He insulted Mai and the marshal and tried to bribe me to shoot the marshal.”
As usually does when Bill’s name comes up, I thought to myself.
“He eventually said his name was John but I thought it seemed fake,” Frank continued. “Anyway I took it upon myself to try to defuse the situation by distracting them, it worked for a time but john then upped the ante by showing a more than casual interest in marshal Jake’s body.”
“Was Buckshot about at the time, Mr.... erm... Frank, ain’t it?” Stacie asked.
“Nope, he wasn’t, marshal,” Frank shook his head. “Mai commented on John’s more-than -casual interest in Jake’s... tummy area. And that was when we all realized he was a man’s man, so to speak. A homosexual.”
I looked around the circle, wondering who was buying this.
“So what you’re saying here... is that you were taken down by a pansy?” Logan asked and I laughed.
“Pansy is such a derogatory term,” Frank shook his head. “I prefer homosexual.”
“Hey, ain’t nothing wrong with pansies,” Stacie looked to Logan. “I quite like them.”
“Let’s not get bogged down with who put’s what in where,” Nathan said and I chuckled.
“He asked again to see Buckshot because he had a message from his brother about some trouble that happened earlier,” Frank continued. “I proceeded to tell him how proud I was of being so secure in his sexuality, and all seemed well. Then suddenly...”
Here we go, I thought to myself.
“He drew and fired at myself, then Jake. Mai jumped in to help and around and around we went ‘till three of us were down and John dragged Jake and Mai to the clinic.”
“And then you became jealous that he left you behind...” Logan guessed.
“Was there a doctor there that could verify this?” I asked.
“I made my way there by back alleys nursing my wounds after a friendly dog kept the boar off me while I waited till I could move,” Frank said. “A doctor from Georgetown came and tended us.”
Logan snickered and then asked, “I’m sorry, did you mention as to what time this alleged incident occurred?”
“Of course they did,” I muttered.
“A lady named Mimi,” Frank said and I nodded, knowing that name.
“That’s rebel’s wife is it not?” Nathan asked.
“Mimi? Mimi Cooper?” Stacie clarified.
“Well, let’s see now... Roughly twelve hours ago,” Frank said. “Mimi Sweet something...”
“Ah well, this must have happened... before you introduced yourself to Mai in the street yesterday...” Logan guessed.
“She never mentioned a thing about it, Logan,” I reminded him.
“After. Not long before, actually.”
“But that is not 12 hours ago,” Logan said.
“Hello everyone,” Adder walked over then.
“Hey there Taurus,” I smiled and greeted him.
“Deputy Taurus, our Sheriff, Lord Nathan Kraai,” Logan introduced and they greeted each other.
Frank continued, “I was shot up it seemed that long, may not have been but it was not long after she left you and your meeting.”
“I see. We met again afterwards... later in the night. She made no mention of this incident,” Logan nodded.
“You can always ask the marshal he may have paid more attention to the time and less to the bullets,” Frank said.
“You can be sure that I will..” Logan turned to Stacie. “I didn’t see any reports filed on this matter, did you?”
“Oh yes, Marshal Stone kept saying he thought John looked familiar,” Frank added.
“No, that’s why I was askin’,” Stacie shook her head.
“I thought not,” Logan nodded.
I looked in the trees and saw Pablo watching from a distance. “So can I go now?” Frank asked, and I pulled on Logan’s sleeve to nod in Pablo’s direction then asked, “Frank... Can you give us a physical description of this er... John?”
“Slim, mid-length black hair, clean shaven, medium height. Dual pistols.”
“Well, that’s all I need to know,” Nathan said.
“Okay Frank, you can go,” Stacie nodded. “But remember what I said. You draw yer guns in town, you’ll be in my bed... in the cells.”
“Stacie you really do have to stop misleading people like that,” Nathan said.
“White skinned? Native? Accent?” I asked Frank.
“White, no accent,” he answered.
“White american then?” Nathan asked.
“Yes, Trin,” he nodded.
“How long ya been a detective, Trin?” Stacie asked me.
“This is day two,” I chuckled.
“Mmhmm,” she nodded.
Frank walked away then and Logan excused himself, following after Frank. I went after him, and smiled as Logan asked Frank, “Mr. frank, I had wondered about something. You noted an obvious interest in Mai from Jake, did you notice her showing much interest in him?”
I smiled at Adder, thinking we needed to catch him up after last night’s meeting with Mai.
“They were having a lover’s tiff,” Frank told Logan.
“Logan, it alright if Taurus and I head to the sheriff’s office?” I asked.
“Oh... that’s the she you were talking about. Might have guessed,” Adder nodded.
“Of course, Miss Trin,” Logan nodded.
“Taurus?” I looked at him and he nodded, following me back to the sheriff’s office.
“So...” I started when we were seated at the desk and the door was closed. “We met with Mai last night...”
“Oh here we go,” Adder nodded.
“She promised to help us with this situation we’re having with the marshals. She has pull with Jake, see... She said that Stone wasn’t actually there when Jackson got scalped and left in the dust by the marshal and Mai... Said he was out east with family because his father had sent him this letter... I guess Jake’s mother was ill so he went out to visit her, allegedly.”
“Who is Jackson?” Adder asked.
“Jackson’s some fellow here in town that reported the scalping,” I answered. “I’m not sure how much we can trust of him though. I still want to talk to him myself. Thing is... We got Mai to go out and get the letter from Jake, to prove that he was indeed there, right? Well meanwhile I went to the courthouse to get a report written by Jake, to see if the handwriting would match ‘cause they were probably gonna make a copy of it.”
“Yeah,” Adder nodded.
“Well wouldn’t ya know... They were indeed a match. So Mai and Jake are both lying to us.”
“Well thats hardly a surprise. Mai can’t be trusted,” Adder shrugged.
“Also, apparently Rosa knows something and Callaghan wants to talk to her and show her our evidence... No, I didn’t trust her the second she came in here.”
“Twice that woman offered a man money to break her out of this office. She’s no friend of ours. Probably wants us and the marshals to wipe each other out,” Adder said.
“So how’ve you been, Taurus? Been a bit since we talked,” I said after a while.
“Been good thanks. Rode out with the Marshals yesterday to find the mayor’s sister.”
“Oh yes, tell me about that! I want to know what happened!”
“I wanted to see how they operate,” Adder said softly.
“And?” I prompted.
“Hmmm. Well to his credit Jakob tried to talk to the kidnappers, but they were having none of it. They wanted us to give them the mayor. Her husband was part of the posse, and was none too impressed.”
“Richie,” I nodded.
“So eventually all hell broke loose. They were holed up in some old fort type building. Aye, Richie. We eventually got through the front and side gates, and after a shootout there was just their leader, a guy named Levi left.”
“The one who they think kidnapped Jane.”
“Aye. it was him, and he said when we brought him down that if he came to harm his brother would kill Miss Jane.”
“Wonder who his brother is... So then what happened?”
“The Marshals locked him up. But he escaped cos they hadn’t done it properly. Left him unattended in a room with a ladder to a door in the roof.”
“Morons,” I rolled my eyes.
“Yup. So off we went again to look for him and Miss Jane.”
“Mmhmm...”
“Someone said something about him having some connection to Louisiana. St Charles I think the place was called.”
The door opened then and Nathan walked in. “Hey Nathan,” I greeted him as he took a seat.
“Howdy Trin, Deputy,” he nodded.
“Taurus was just updating me on what happened with the whole Levi situation,” I said and nodded to Adder. “Yes, I remember hearing about Louisiana.”
Logan walked into the office and we greeted him. “I’d much like to know myself,” Nathan agreed and Adder continued as Logan took a seat.
“We got there and it was me found her, in a barn in a bad way. He’d worked her over good.”
“That’s a shame, Taurus. Alive at least though, right?”
“Last I saw of her the doc was treating her.”
“First time I meet this guy he kidnapped me,” Nathan said.
“Aye, alive but unconscious and badly beaten,” Adder nodded.
“Callaghan, you want to take a seat and catch them up? I’m gonna go over to my desk to write up some notes about this morning,” I looked over to Logan.
“Thank you, Miss Paige,” he nodded.
I went over to my desk and pulled out my notebook as Nathan offered Logan a cigar and he refused it but Adder accepted one.
“We will have to work closely with the marshals on this,” Nathan advised.
“Taurus, you might want to tell them what you just told me, so we’re all on the same page with the Ami/Levi situation,” I suggested.
“Sheriff, quite a bit has gone on while you were away. Before you go putting too much stock in the marshal’s, just a suggestion, you may want to speak with Judge Rosa,” Logan advised.
“I rode out with the Marshals yesterday,” Adder told them.
“I have more confidence in the marshals’ abilities then I do Judge Rosa’s,” Nathan said.
“Being that I was verbally harassed by two of the marshals on my first day here, for absolutely no reason, I have reason to doubt their capabilities,” Logan said and I sat back, letting the men talk.
“Of course. Did you talk to Stacie about these incidents?” Nathan asked.
“Anyone who leaves a dangerous criminal unguarded in an unlocked cell, in a room with a roof exit and a ladder, doesn’t get my confidence,” Adder said.
“Amen, Taurus,” I agreed.
“I haven’t seen Stacie until today,” Logan said and then looked at Adder. “You witnessed that?”
“Yep,” Adder nodded.
“Especially not when the man has 3000 dollar of a reward on his head,” I agreed.
“An easy mistake to make,” Nathan nodded. “You should not be so quick to judge.”
Logan slid the picture over to Nathan and said, “And then there’s this.”
“Rode out with them, fought alongside them,” Adder said. “An easy mistake? Sorry Sheriff but thats not an easy mistake. Hell I doubt its even a mistake.”
“This is evidence,” Logan said about the picture of the report that we had taken from the courthouse,
“That Marshal Jake is outright lying to us to cover his tracks.”
“I see,” Nathan nodded.
“You might notice, that the handwriting is identical to that of the letter that he claims was written by his father...”
“That Mai claimed, Logan,” I added.
“I’d say so, yes,” Nathan looked at the picture.
“We haven’t talked to Jake yet,” I said as there was noise from above. I wondered why it was being repaired and tried to focus.
“Yes, but it is obviously written by him... why would he write it if he weren’t trying to concoct an alibi?” Logan asked.
“That may be so, however this is not the time to alienate the marshals,” Nathan argued.
“Not to mention, that in reference to another cause involving Mai, Jake lied to me and denied having been there,” Logan continued.
“Pablo’s told us of hwo they arrested him for no reason... Tortured him and hurt him and arrested him when he was just reporting a crime by someone else,” I said.
“I see. This is disturbing news,” Nathan agreed.
“Something’s not right, Nathan,” I said. “Now, Ami did apologize for blaming Jakob on the kidnapping and whatnot...”
Suddenly above us there was a piece of wood that fell and a hole was revealed in the ceiling. I looked up and shook my head, “Geez, Mikk.”
“Dam it Mikk yer gonna let the rain in!” Nathan complained.
“No, no,” he smiled down. “I’ll finish this today. I think.”
Logan continued, completely focused on business. “I have an outside witness also, Mr. Jackson, who confirms that the marshal accompanied Mai and pursued him in an attack. This man did not know them previously, and had no conflict with them, yet they pursued him.”
“I see,” Nathan nodded. “This is very disturbing indeed.”
“So, I hope you will understand why I have a lack of trust at this moment in time,” Logan said.
“Understandable. Have you spoken to Stacie about this?” Nathan asked.
“Not to mention the fact that any time they’ve tried to offer protection for me, they tend to just make matters worse or don’t even show up,” I pointed out. “They’re a bit too friendly with the outlaws if you know what I mean.”
“The marshals have saved my hide on my occasion then I care to say,” Nathan said.
“This may be true, but at times, things can change,” Logan pointed out.
“They saved Levis hide too,” Adder muttered.
I sighed, seeing that Nathan was more interested in the construction on the roof than listening with us.
“I suggest you speak to Stacie about this,” he said eventually.
“Good luck with that,” I muttered. “Someone want to tell me what Mikk’s doing up there?”
Logan put the photograph back into the drawer and asked, “Well, do you need anything else at the moment Sheriff?”
“Fixing the roof,” Nathan replied.
“Because...?”
“No, I’m alright thank you Undersheriff,” Nathan nodded to Logan.
Logan walked out of the office and I stood to follow him out. Adder joined us and I looked between them. “I need a drink.”
We went to the saloon and got a drink from Sara behind the bar. We sat down and talked as people filed in and out of the saloon. When Rayce walked in, Logan smiled widely. “Well well if it isn’t our little gunslinging sharp shooter.”
“Uh, what?” she looked at Logan, confused.
“I heard from Trax that you were out saving lives near Cherokee country,” he explained.
“And congrats, Detective Trin. No longer working for the paper?” she looked at me .
“Just his, the trouble maker,” Rayce chuckled.
“Oh I still run the paper. Just wearin’ two hats now.”
“I had no idea that you were handy with weapons Miss Rayce. I couldn’t help but be amused at the
thought of you whipping out guns,” Logan said to her.
“Drinking, this early? And just a Rifle is all,” she grinned and asked me as Sara handed me some whiskey.
“Just a rifle she says... You are quite the woman Miss Rayce.”
“Thank you Sheriff,” Rayce blushed a little.
“Hey Logan...” I started, looking at him. “Should I write about what happened last night in my article about the whole Tristan thing? I’m guessing the name of the prime suspect is pretty much public?”
“Well, Mister Logan... The roof is all fixed,” Mikk walked into the saloon and announced.
Logan focused on settling things with Mikk and I continued to write. Eventually I leaned over to Adder and whispered, “How much of what you told me in the office about last night can I use in this article?”
“Most of it, just not the bit where I said the marshals were useless,” Adder whispered back.
“I’m just wondering why Icca doesn’t do the job,” Mikk was saying to Logan. “I mean, he is a carpenter, how else would he be making his coffins and all?”
“I think he has... other activities,” Adder cleared his throat.
“Who is this Icca?” Logan asked.
“The undertaker,” Mikk answered.
“I saw him once. He LOOKS like an undertaker,” Rayce said.
“Trust me Rayce, he’s the undertaker,” I sighed. I’ve been in his office twice now.”
“The undertaker in every way,” Mikk shivered.
More people walked in and out of the saloon and we talked with Brendan about what had happened since we’d met with him and Rosa in the office. Adder walked outside and after a while I realized I needed to talk to him. I walked outside and saw him sitting by the campfire near the Mexican cantina.
“I’m just writing up what you told me about last night...” I said to him. “Was wondering... at which point did they have Levi in captivity? Before they let him escape? Was it after he admitted to having kidnapped Jane and that his brother would kill her?”
“He admitted that before they led him into the place with cells. It must have been a Sheriffs office or something,” Adder answered. “He was already captured and tied up.”
“So he admitted that, they arrested him, then he escaped? Oh and threatened that if any harm came to him then his brother would kill Jane?”
“He was placed under arrest before he admitted it. He was scared one of us would do him in. Yes,” Adder nodded.
“Okay so... Marshal Jakob Despres tried to talk to the kidnappers but they would hear nothing of it. Then they arrested Levi and he admitted that he had kidnapped Ami’s sister...? That about cover it, Taurus?”
“Well. He never quite said “I kidnapped her”. But he never said he didnt. He said we’d get her back if we gave up the mayor, that was before the big gunfight. Then when he was caught he said his brother would harm her.”
“Damn I’m upset that I missed all of this,” Logan said from behind me as he joined us.
“If Miss Jane is well enough, she might be able to tell you who took her,” Adder said.
“Where are they keeping her? Do you know?” Logan asked.
“Last I saw she was being treated in ST Charles, Louisiana, but I reckon they’ll move her as soon as they can. Not a safe place, if they haven’t moved her already.”
“Okay I think I’ve got this figured out,” I nodded. “After he said that his brother would kill Jane, somehow he escaped and then you all went off to St. Charles?”
“Yes. Someone said he had links to St Charles. We didn’t have anything else to go on, so we went there and split up to search.”
I handed him a copy of the article I finished and he said, “Yep that seems right to me.”
He handed it to Logan and he said, “To me also.”
“Excellent. I’m going to my office to get some work done on this. See you boys later.”
“See you later,” Adder nodded.
“Be careful,” Logan nodded.
***
This afternoon I walked into the courthouse and noticed that Jake and Mai were the ones standing in front, and Jake was searching people for weapons as they walked in. After I was cleared I went in and sat beside Logan quietly. Trial had already begun and Sara was sitting on the stand, showing Lali her wound.
“Very well, Miss Sara,” Lali nodded. “Did he take any money?”
“No, I locked the register,” Sara smiled.
“That man there,” Sara said, pointing to the man in the defendant seat that I didn’t recognize.
“Do you wish to add anything to the events that transpired?” Lali asked.
“No, I think that’s it. Other than I did not lay down, and he did not kiss me. If that was the case, I would have thrown up, not tried to shoot him.”
“I have no further questions, Your Honor,” Lali said, stifling a chuckle.
Mikk walked over then to cross examine and said, “Miss Sara, now you say you did not lay down on the floor? Which is it?”
“Both the same. I did not,” she answered.
“So Miss Sara, you yourself invited this nice skinny, poorly-fed young man whom is my client fer a drink?” Mikk asked.
“Allow me to correct that, Miss Sara,” the defendant chuckled.
“Objection, leading the witness,” Lali stood.
“I asked him, as I ask all our customers if I could get him a drink,” Sara answered. “That’s what a bartender does.”
“Sustained,” Rosa nodded. “Try again.”
“Last time. Hold your damn tongue, Liberty,” Adder, acting as bailiff, told the defendant.
“Let me ask this then,” Mikk said. “Did you or did you not offer the young man a drink? Yes or no?”
“I offered to sell him a drink, yes,” Sara nodded.
“Did you or did you not offer him a drink... a simple yes or no,” Mikk said.
“Your honor!” Lali objected again.
Sara rolled her eyes and sighed, “Yes.”
“Thank you,” Mikk nodded. “No further questions.”
“Your honor, the state rests its case,” Lali said.
“You may step down, Sara,” Rosa told her and Sara went to sit down again. “Anything further, Mikky?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “I would like to call my client to the stand.”
“Your honor, I reserve the right to direct the witness,” Lali said, “For cross examine.”
“Of course,” Rosa nodded.
Sara sat down beside me and I watched as Liberty went to the stand and was sworn in. Mikk approached him and said, “Would ya please tell the court your name and how old you are?”
“I’m Liberty Valance and I am 20 years of age,” Liberty answered.
“Your honor!” Lali objected.
“Mikk!” Rosa looked to him.
“Yes?” he asked.
“To the point. I will allow it. Continue.”
“I am to the point. I am trying to establish his character,” Mikk answered. “Parents?” he asked Liberty.
“Dead.”
“Do you have a sweet old grandmother?” he asked and I raised an eyebrow.
“Dead.”
“Your honor, is this necessary?” Lali asked.
“Aww...” Mikk pretended to sympathize. “Have you ever had a girlfriend?”
“No comment.”
Rosa slammed the gavel down and said, “Mikky, although I’m glad of his past, let’s cut to the chase, shall we?”
“Boyfriend?” Sara asked and I chuckled at that.
“I object to this line of questions as irrelevant,” Lali stated.
“I beg to differ,” Liberty objected.
“Well, what we do know is... that he has a sick old dog that totally depends on this sweet young man, who also is very discrete. Note the no comment on the girlfriend question,” Mikk said. “Anyways... Mister Liberty, and might I add nice name.”
“Thank you,” Liberty said and I rolled my eyes.
“Save that for the closing argument!” Lali shouted.
“Are they serious?” I leaned over and whispered to Logan.
“Did you have a cold when you walked into that bar and is that why you were wearing a mask?” Mikk asked.
“Shockingly, I think they are,” Logan nodded.
“Tell us in your own words what actually happened that day,” Mikk satated.
“Well, if memory serves me right, I walked into the saloon for a nice spot of tea. I have a cold, you see, so I was wearing a mask. I said to the barkeep, ‘My, my, baarkeep you’re looking lovely today. May I trouble you for a spot of tea?’”
“So you were actually being nice?” Mikk asked.
“But was I given tea? No. I was given lead.”
“Might I remind the witness what perjury is?” Rosa looked over.
There were several people making comments around the court and Mikk asked, “Judge, will ya keep the court quiet?”
“Order!” Rosa banged the gavel.
“I had to respond with my own fist to defend myself,” Liberty continued. These accusations of robbery are absurd.”
“Now Miss Rosa, my client has not been sworn in. So ya can’t hold him to that. Go on, my fine young skinny man.”
“He is correct, your honor. He has not been sworn in,” Lali stated.
“Then by God then I guess his whole testimony will be stricken! Swear him in!”
“Why should I suffer for your incompetence?” Liberty asked.
“I stricken it from the record and ask the witness raise his right hand,” Rosa said.
“Senor Mikk, please keep your client quiet,” Lali said.
“Nowhere does it say in the law that his testimony does not count even though he has not been sworn in,” Mikk argued.
“That’s assault on law!” Jake jumped out of his chair. “You’re under arrest!”
I turned around to see Jake, but he was talking to Mai.
“I’ll kick ya ass, paleskin,” Mai argued.
“Let’s go, Mai,” Jake clenched his fist as Liberty was sworn in properly. I looked at Logan and decided it was probably best to let the marshals handle this one. I shifted in my seat, itching to go outside but knew I should stay and find out what happens with the trial. I looked from Sara to Logan.
Sara elbowed me and said, “Go!”
“What?” Logan asked.
I sighed and folded my arms in across my chest, waiting until he said something.
“Ok Mr. Liberty, go on,” Mikk continued when Liberty was sworn in properly.
“I’m not repeating all that factual evidence,” Liberty shook his head. “I’m not getting married, though I am available,” he winked.
“No, I understand that Miss Sara refused your proposal, right?” Mikk asked.
“Indeed.”
“Objection! Irrelevant!” Lali exclaimed.
“Sustained.”
“Well like I said,” Liberty said, “I wanted a cup of tea, but no. Instead I got lead fired at me. I responded with my own fist to protect myself. Of course when the marshal came in and saw three people on the floor, he thought I was the bad guy.”
“That’s not what Liberty said in the jail cell....” Logan coughed and Sara shook her head as if ready to explode.
“Thus, they created the lie of a robbery,” Liberty said.
“He told me himself that he did it,” Logan sighed.
“Shh,” Lali put a finger to her lips.
“And that’s my story,” Liberty finished. “Or the truth, as I like to put it.”
I put a hand on Logan’s knee to calm him down and Lali said, “The truth as you like to put it? Or as you like to lie about it?”
Liberty started crying and said, “Tell Tiny Tim I won’t be coming home this Christmas.”
“Thank you,” Mikk said and I sighed. “Now we all know what really happened.”
Lali stood then and said, “I have no question, but would like to call a surprise witness.”
“Oh?” Rosa asked.
“I call Mr Logan Callaghan to the stand, Please.” I smiled and looked over at Logan as Mikk reserved the right to question him later. “I am sorry your honor. I just got word, he had valuable information,” Lali said.
Logan slapped his hands on his knee and stood. “Ah, yes...”
“Your honor, please swear him in as every word of his testimony is vital,” Lali insisted.
Rosa swore him in and then Lali said, “Mr. Callaghan, thank your for stepping forward. Will you please tell the court exactly what you told me regarding the defendant?”
“Well, I went into Liberty’s jail cell, and asked him, ‘Did you beat all of those women in the saloon?’ and his response was, ‘I wouldn’t have if they would have just given me the money.’”
“Under what circumstances did he tell you this?” Lali asked.
“It was pretty point blank. I walked in and asked him and he admitted it.”
“Just like that? He just confessed, point blank?”
“Just like that,” Logan nodded. “Sure did. Told me straight to my face in those exact words.”
“Thank you Senor Logan, that is all,” Lali nodded.
Mikk walked over and asked, “Was my client awake at the time or maybe sleeping?”
“He was wide awake and giggling like a jackal in his cell,” Logan answered and I chuckled at that.
“Are you sure?”
“Your honor, the question has been answered,” Lali said.
“He could have been talking in his sleep,” Mikk shrugged.
“Positive... in fact, he was giggling “loudly” so I’m sure that others may have heard how alert he was.”
“He was standing,” Logan answered.
“Well... no further questions,” Mikk swore and mumbled.
“Your Honor, if there are not further witnesses from the defense the state now rests it’s case,” Lali claimed.
“Any closing arguments?” Rosa asked.
“Yes, your honor,” Lali nodded.
“Will Lali not cross-examine Mr. Liberty?” Mikk asked but Rosa reminded him that Lali had chosen not to question him.
“We have three credible eyewitness to the crime, plus the testimony of a confession made by the defendant,” Lali began her closing statement. “All agree on each detail for the crimes. All witnesses and victims are upstanding members of the community and have nothing to gain by lying about this case. On the other hand the defendant Liberty Valance is an unknown, except for an old dog, nothing else is know about him. And his jailhouse confession clinches his guilt. I request the court fin him guilty. That is all, your Honor.”
Sara passed me a note saying that she would be laying low for a couple of days and I looked from her to Logan with concern, understanding why my friend would be afraid.
Mikk was invited to give his closing remarks and he stepped forward. “Well it is clear to me that there is a huge difference between what my client experienced and what these so-called truthful witnesses say... They all have a stake in this. Sara for offering my client a drink at all... Brendan for being jealous and starting to attack my client, and last Logan whom does not know the difference between a person awake or asleep. This poor young skinny man with no mother and no father and as sweet old grandmother that died... and a sick old lame dog...” he went on and on.
“Your honor!” Lali stated and Rosa banged her gavel, and I noticed that Sara had already left.
“Okay Mikky, you’re done. Sit down.” Rosa said and Mikk sat down. “Okay, I’m ready to make a ruling on this case. Mister Liberty Valance, I find you guilty in the account of Attempted robber. I also find you guilty of assault. I find you not guilty of attempted acts of love. I also find you not guilty of being so skinny. I find you guilty of perjury. Guilty of drawing a weapon. Guilty of trying to flee a scene.”
“I find you guilty of making things go on forever,” Liberty sighed.
I thought to myself that by the time he got through all the years of these sentencing, he’d be dead anyway.
“I therefore order your hanging!” Rosa ordered.
“Justice is served!” Logan jumped and cheered.
“Bout damn time, eh Logan?” I stood and high fixed him.
Logan tugged at his vest and cleared his throat, “I mean, good work Judge.”
We went out to the saloon and I talked to Lali after the court about the trial for the paper and then headed to the town dance, celebrating with everyone that justice had been served.
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