September 4, 1869

Amiville.

The courtroom buzzed with activity as I walked through the big doors. Taking my seat in the back row beside Jake Stone, I noticed that Bill and Kitty were sitting beside each other in the front row on the right side. Putting the pieces together, I realized eventually that they were both on trial against the town. Rosa was sitting in the judge’s seat and a trial had been gathered. I sat quietly beside Jake and listened as the proceedings continued. 

“There a Miss Cathy?” Rosa asked then and I looked around, not sure who she meant. 

When Kitty said, “Yes ma’am,” I raised an eyebrow and watched as she went to the front, swearing in on the Bible. 

“Three counts of shooting law and one count of unholstered weapons,” Rosa read from her records. “What you got to say fer yerself?” 

“Not guilty, ma’am. I don’t remember the day you’re talking about.”

“How convenient,” Rosa rolled her eyes. “Miss Lali, did she pay her fine?” 

“Judge, as town doctor may I say a few words about this case?” Fritha rose to her feet then. 

“Jes a moment Fritha,” Rosa slammed her gavel down and looked to Lali. “She pay her fine or serve time?” 

“Ma’am, to be truthful Bill paid for all our fines.” 

“Take the stand, Miss Kitty,” Rosa ordered then and Kitty did so. 

“Did she pay her fine or did Buck?” Rosa asked Lali for clarification. 

“Buck paid of them, your honour.” 

“Figures,” Rosa looked to Bill. “Alright, let’s get this going. Any questions fer her that might change my mind about this defendant?” she asked with a cough. 

“I object!” Bill yelled. 

“Overruled, you’re not a lawyer.” 

“I have a rights to defends me self,” Bill argued. 

“Yere not on stand here, Bill, so shut yer trap.” 

“Miss Fritha, please approach the bench,” Rosa ordered and Fritha did so.

“Well, some time ago I treated Kitty for some very painful, indeed severe injuries,” Fritha explained. “Burns to her body, and a gunshot wound that had entered near the left knee, with the bullet being deflected along the tibia. It was not easy to save the leg.” 

“Mmhmm, go on,” Rosa prompted. 

“Now, initially Miss Kitty had been taken to the hospital at Georgetown, where the local sawbones insisted in removing the dressings placed on the burns,” Fritha winced. “Furthermore, on attempting to take her back to Amiville, she fell out of the back of the improvised cart we had to use.” 

“And how do ya suppose she got these wounds in the first place?” Rosa asked. 

“I believe she was attacked in Georgetown, your Honor. It has been plain to me since that time that she has not been herself.”

“Mmhmm, I see. By whom, did she say?” Rosa asked and I shook my head as I listened, knowing that I knew about the incident but did nothing to rescue Kitty. 

“She did not hit her head, no,” Fritha answered. 

“Miss Lali, any questions for her?” 

“No your honor,” Lali shook her head. 

“Now, during the war we saw many soldiers who came from battle with a condition we call ‘soldier’s heart’, in which their personalities had been much changed by their wounds and experiences, and I wonder if this may be the case with Kitty,” Fritha continued. “Your Honor, Kitty was a much different person before what befell her in Georgetown that day, and I do not believe that she is entirely her true self now.” 

“I see,” Rosa nodded. “Would this also explain why a woman that seemed to be captured is now hanging around the capturer?” 

“Your Honor, I think that Kitty is in more need of nursing care than punishment.” 

“Oh really?” Rosa asked. 

“Naturally you may wish a second opinion, your Honor.” 

“Wait, I don’t know this Kitty you’re talking about,” Kitty said then. 

Rosa pulled in her lips and looked at Fritha. “Well then who in their right mind wants to, I mean will care fer her?” 

“Well, at present the orphanage is being rebuilt, but when my consulting rooms are finished, then yes. I cannot say what the outcome will be, your Honor. I can make no guarantees.” 

“Then perhaps some more time in jail can help her.” 

“For sure, some who do suffer from Soldier's Heart become much wilder in character than before.” 

“Ya mean I get a babysitter,” Kitty moaned. 

“If she’s incapable of caring for herself, she causes danger for the town,” Rosa obserevd. 

“True, ma’am, but at the same time is she fully culpable for her actions? After all, she was never this way before, so far as I know.” 

“Well it would seem if she’s incompetent now she needs someone at her 24 hours.” 

“I am not going to have a babysitter, I ain’t,” Kitty objected. 

“Miss Rebekkah, what is your expert thoughts on this?” 

“I do believe that the horror of the experience has brought about this condition,” Fritha was still explaining. 

“Thank you miss Fritha, I wish to hear miss Reb.” 

“Well, I’m no expert on the matter by any means...” Rebekkah started, “but I do think that considering her trauma, we should do what we can to help her rather than punish.” 

“Miss Rebekkah, with your medical expertise, what would you recommend?” Lali asked. 

“If I were in her situation, I would hope that people wouldn’t ignore my medical issue and let me continue to run about not knowing my identity.” 

“There ya have it, it seems she cant even figure out who she really is... I order that this woman seeks medical treatment right away!” Rosa ordered. 

“Judge, who will make sure she gets it?” Lali asked. 

“I want a clear document this woman is capable by the medical staff to forth come future issues.” 

“Ideally she could stay in the infirmary a while,” Fritha suggested. 

“I want two documents, Miss Lali. By two staff members,” Rosa requested. 

“We can nurse her, your Honor,” Fritha continues, “but as I say I cannot guarantee an outcome.” 

“I want this done right away, and if there is any issues of her mental state, I wish it to be brought to my attention right away for further look.” 

“Miss Cathy will be under observation by Doctor Friday andNurse Rebekkah the infirmary until such time Miss Cathy is able to know herself,” Lali announced as if to solidify the judge’s ruling. 

“Next,” Rosa said then. “Mr. Buckshot Bill. Take the stand. Where do I even begin with you?” Bill walked forward and I noticed him touching Kitty’s hand as he passed. Rosa asked, “Mr. Bill, dare I ask if you have anything to say fer yerself?” 

“I do’s yer honors,” Bill nodded. 

“Proceed, if you must. But you ride a tight rope.” 

“First of alls are my accusers here and present?” 

“They aren’t on trial you are. Please continue.” 

“Well yer honor I needs thems here as my witnesses.” 

“Witnesses?” Rosa coughed hard. 

“Yes’em, Rosa. Means, yer honor.” 

“Good Lord dun make my court room into a circus mister Bill!” 

“I needs thems here because there is one important factor I needs ta makes abouts this case of mines and Cathy's. Tristan and Peeps. Either of thems will dos.” 

“Oh so its you and Cathy’s case now?” Rosa slammed her gavel down. “Enough, speak of I cut yer tongue out!” 

“We was both there your honor... and this here is nothin’ but a witch hunt fer me. Now who trains lawmen? What does a lawman do when drawn upon?” 

“I train deputies,” Sheriff Nathan put in. And where is that man Patrick that drew his guns first... not me, not Cathy. And yet we were arrested.” 

“So should I lock them up then?” Rosa asked, drinking from her flask. “How about kidnap, or better yet shoot him everywhere it wont kill him as torture?” 

“Ya’ll don’t want the truths ya’ll just wants ta see me down and now Cathy... Did anyone check the records? Kitty’s real names is Cathy.” 

“I can’t tell you what to do, but he needs to stop this nonsense, as he’s only making a fool of the court,” Lali advised. 

“And she been cared for by her sister,” Bill continued. “And you want to takes her from her family?” 

“Mr. Bill!” Rosa slammed her gavel down. “Do not proceed to tell me what to do in my courtroom! I think that mister Bill should be shown the same courtesy he does his captures.” 

“You aint fit ta be a judge if ya don't git all the facts!” Bill glared at Rosa. 

Rosa called for Chels then and she came forward as Bill continued to talk. Rosa asked her what she can tell her about Bill and Chels said, “He is a known felon and trouble maker, your Honor.” 

“Who here has been captured by this man, by raise of hands?” Rosa asked and I tentatively raised my hand with Chels.

“Miss chels, I think you and miss trin here should show the same courtesy he showed you two when you were taken by this filth!” I raised my eyebrow and she said, “Cuff him and take him away to the cells!” 

Chels took a deep breath and said, “I was in the saloon and heard shooting, I ran out. There he had Kitty, tied... Then I tried to help Kitty... He fired on me... He took us both to a cave where he tossed us in a cell. Kept us there two days... Wouldn’t give us any food or water.” 

“Miss chels....cuff him!” 

“No!! Leave him alone!!” Kitty screamed then. 

“Miss Trin and Miss Chels, His sentence will be you two will treat him as he treated you when he captured you!” 

“Yes your honor,” Chels nodded and cuffed Bill, leading him out of the courthouse. 

I watched as the courthouse went into an uproar as Rosa sentenced Bill to twenty-four hours in jail. I couldn’t believe that was all he was getting and then Fritha led Kitty out of the courthouse. 

When everyone had gone, I went up to Rosa and Lali and asked them to provide me with some protection, knowing that once Bill got out he would be coming after me. They promised that they would assign a deputy to watch me and I felt better, knowing I wouldn’t be alone. Leaving the courthouse I went to the saloon and ordered a much-needed drink.