December 11, 1869

Georgetown. 

I put my gun and holster in the drawer in my office this morning and then walked out, seeing Suzy. “Hey there Suzy! I was wondering if you had something I could use to protect myself on the way to Wyoming... They don’t want me to have visible weapons..”

“Hm... what about a hidden knife, like I have,” she giggled.

“Maybe it would be best if you just followed me out there? Leave me in the city of mines and I’ll head on to the village? They don’t trust a lot of palefaces...”

“Okay. sounds good, Let me just drop off some of my weapons in the barn first.”

“Thanks, Suzy. I just don’t want to go through the City of Mines without protection.”

“Yah, its dangerous out there, I should know,” she laughed and removed her rifle and bow, leaving them on the desk as we walked towards Wyoming. “You don’t mind doing this with me? When Eagle is around I can go with him and he’ll have his bow with him...”

“Of course not, I wasn’t doing anything really.”

“I figured you would be goin out there to gather stuff anyway. I feel weird not wearing my holster and gun...”

“I feel weird without my rifle.”

Manipi and his female friend joined us and we walked over to Wyoming, with a quick stop at the stables. 

Wyoming. 

Suzy went to gather supplies and I took the two dogs to the Cherokee village. I found Dances with Fire and she played with the dogs while we went over to talk with the tribe. I told them I was unarmed and Thunder told me, “Not smart going unarmed.” 

“Chief didn’t want me coming into the village with weapons. He said the tribe would not trust me.”

“That is smart of chief.” 

“Just means I have to find my own way of being protected without being armed... I’m not going through the City of Mines without anything... Not since...” I stopped myself and looked down.

“Fire protect you. She good warrior,” Thunder laughed and I held the child close. 

“Is everything safe out here, Thunder? No unwanted visitors?”

“No Trin. Was at trading post on other side of garden and saw Harley yesterday, but no trouble.” 

“Good to hear.” I walked over to him then and said, “Thunder ... I need to speak with you away from the children...”

Thunder nodded and said, “You children stay by fire. Wait for Dark.” He followed me to the asis. 

“Here is good. I wanted to warn you about some things happening in Georgetown that might find their way here. There are a couple of notorious outlaws that have found their way to our town... You should be on the lookout and be prepared for anything. I wanted to come and warn you. I felt it was only right.”

“Who are these... outlaws?” 

“There’s one named Vlad... He’s a hunchback... His body is stooped over... There’s another named Slick Jesse. Very scary man, very violent.”

“I will tell Chief.” 

“I didn’t want to hide this information from you.”

“Wado Trin. This information will help village,” he said and we went back to the village to talk with the tribe. 

Georgetown. 

I walked down the street this afternoon and talked with Suzy. We went to the saloon and talked about how she’d had nightmares last night. I told her about the dog named Alle that Eagle brought home for us. We talked about how Dr. Middy said Nile should be fine with lots of rest. She said that Nile had been the sheriff since before September. We talked about the different articles in the paper. 

This evening I was in the saloon and greeted Sam and Downy when they came in. Sam said that Nile was still out cold and we talked about how it had been a quiet day. I told him about Vlad coming to our house last night looking for me. We talked about the holiday season coming up with Chanelle who had joined us at the saloon and we talked about the paper. 

“Might I ask have you seen anyone in these parts about the height of you, Sir. Maybe a tad taller. He has dark hair and deep set eyes that pierce,” Chanelle asked us and I tried to think of anyone that matched the description but couldn’t come up with anyone. 

“No miss. Only one around here been causing trouble is a bit shorter then I am and no one has seen him in a day or two,” Sam said. 

“Goes by the name Joey,” Chanelle leaned forward. 

“Joey?” Sam stopped for a moment and thought about it. 

“Mmhmm,” she nodded and said faintly. 

“Joey sounds like Jesse a bit,” Downy looked sharply at Sam and I swallowed hard. “Wouldn’t be Jesse would it?” Sam asked. 

“Hmph....” Chanelle shrugged. “Well then. I reckon I will take that drink,” she said and I leaned my head in my hand as I listened to the conversation.

“Been Jesse since I’ve known him for two years now,” Sam said thinking. “Must be another feller.” 

“Could be Joey last month, Jesse today and Ralph next week. Ya just never know with boys like that,” Chanelle shrugged. 

“When was the last time you saw him?” I asked. 

“That’s three guys I gotta watch out for now,” Sam sighed and drank down the rest of his whiskey, and I nodded in agreement. 

Chanelle looked over at me and shook her head. “Oh when the hammer slammed down and the Judge said guilty. Took off like a wild banshee and out he went. Should you hear of any gentleman going by the name Joey I please let me know.” 

“Of course,” I nodded. “Where are you staying? Do you have a place in town?”

“Where you from miss?” Sam asked, and I chuckled at how my boss and I were on the same page.

“Was raised in Texas, Mister. Pah sent me to the big city though when I was of age for schooling and then after that I traveled a little and well.... here I am.” 

“What city were you in when this Joey came into your life and made a problem of himself?” Sam asked. 

“I lived for a short time over in Colorado Springs. That’s where I first met Joey,” she sai and I grew more intrigued, since I’d lived there once. 

“How recently were you in Colorado, Miss?” I asked, greeting Suzy as she came in. 

“Colorado Springs...” Sam said to himself. 

“Mmm, I’d say 6 months give or take, Miss,” Chanelle answered me and I knew it was long before my time there. 

“Miss Chanelle, Do you have any other information about this fella that might help us identify him if we saw him?” Sam asked the girl. 

“He has somewhat of a swagger to his walk, likes to drink a lot, can be rude and mouthy and enjoys the thrill of the kill. Yep, that about sums it up.” 

“Well miss, I can’t say I know him,” Sam said, “But I know the type. We will keep an eye out and I’ll warn the sheriff as well.” 

Chanelle held up her hand and gave a little wave. “I am not here for any trouble. I just an due a fair amount of gold and I’d like to settle up on what I am owed. Probably a good idea, Mister.” 

“And what is it you might be owed?” Sam asked. 

“I am estimating about 20 bars of gold. Give or take a few, but thats about right,” Chanelle coughed. 

“Twenty bars!” Sam exclaimed, almost spitting out his whiskey. 

Chanelle scuffed and looked away. “The man was facing death... Mind you was.. I want my gold, thats all I ask. I did what he wanted and in return I am due whats owed.” 

“Well miss, as a Pinkerton I can understand the right of payment. We never sleep for those who can afford us,” he grind and I smiled as Sam and Suzy talked about her day. 

Chanelle looked back at Sam and sighed. “I had a home. For once I was settled down and I loved my home with my new husband. He sent word and I left to go help. He said he wanted one of the finest and thats what he got. Uprooted my life for the case of a lifetime... I knew the money was worth it and my husband could finally stop living the life he did. So, I agreed and went to defend him.” 

Sam shook his cigar and looked at me as Suzy told him about going to the City of Mines with me. “You remember that’s my daughter when you are draggin’ her across these lands,” Sam said firmly, then turned back to Chanelle. 

“Yes sir,” I nodded to him and saw Suzy blush a bit. “We had a couple dogs with us so we were more safe that way.”

“Now look... I gave up my home in Springs, heaven knows where my husband is and my practice I was building, I gave that up to. All I want is payment so I can settle once more, rebuild and get back to work,” Chanelle motioned to herself. I wondered if Adder might know of who the woman was talking about and decided to talk to him tomorrow. 

“Might be able to help ya find that fella for a percentage of that gold.” I looked over at Sam and knew I couldn’t tell him my thoughts there. 

“Oh papa, Middy looked at my arm earlier, she said it should be back to normal soon,” Suzy told Sam. 

“How much we talking about, Mister?” Chanelle raised a brow. 

“That’s good to hear,” Sam smiled at Suzy. “Don’t worry, we will find that old bear.” He turned back to Chanelle and gave her a cold but serious look. “Twenty percent take.” 

The girl thought about it and took a deep breath. “Twenty-five percent if you can do it quickly.” 

I looked over at the door and saw Rebel walk into the saloon, then remembered that his name was also Josey. 

“Consider it done,” Sam nodded after a while. 

“Rebel also goes by Josey....” I leaned over to whisper to Sam.

He smiled at me and chuckled as Josey started to whistle Dixie. “The rebel Josey is a brother in law of mine Trin. I know all his names even dipshit.” 

“Just know he is swift. Some say he was raised by injuns and learn the art of quietly sneaking away,” Chanelle warned to Sam. 

I heard Josey’s whistle and it brought me back to that time in Amiville in August. I eyed him cautiously and remembered that he’d set the fire that had gotten me in trouble with the gang in the first place and I looked to sam nervously. 

Downy and Josey talked and then Sam leaned over to me. and said, “We need to get focused on the new case and set up a search party to head to East a soon as possible, and find anything you can on this Joey fella.” 

“I think I need to head home. This headache’s gettin pretty brutal,” I told him and nodded. “Fill me in tomorrow?”

“Alright you get some rest we will talk in the morning.” 

Suddenly gunshots went off and I headed home.