Georgetown.
“Why hello Trin,” Icca’s voice stopped me as I walked towards my office this morning. “You look lovely today.”
“Thanks,” I nodded. “What you up to?”
“Talkin’ to you. Seein’ what you’re up to.”
“Just gettin to work. How’s business going for you?”
“Wanna come over for some tea? Still settin’ up.”
I shook my head, knowing the last place I wanted to be was in an undertaker’s office. “I’ve got some work to do.”
“I’m just across the street. Not far at all.”
“I know.”
“Not like your work is going anywhere,” he moved closer to me.
“I’ve got to go see if Sam’s in his office,” I backed up.
“Do I still scare you, Trin?”
“I’m just busy,” I looked at him and lied as he moved closer. I folded my arms across my chest protectively.
“You sure? I’m just tryin’ to be neighborly.”
“Sure you are. Like you were with Emily.”
“I already know Emily.”
“She seems to know you.”
“Just ‘cause I poke fun don’t mean nothin’. She’s a kid. I tease all kids.”
“You seem to remind her of someone..”
“I am someone.”
“I mean someone from her past.”
“I know her from Gigi.”
“Gigi?”
“Owner of the old cat house.”
“Old cat house?”
“In Georgetown.”
“Right... But you met her recently or long ago?”
“She was a madam long ago...”
“Gigi... The one who Sean is now married to?”
“Yes, that’s her. I usually call Emily ‘Miguilicutty.’”
“Guess I have to make a trip there.. Miguilicutty?”
“Yep, she loves that name,” he grinned wide.
“I’m sure she does.”
“You should tell her I just got a new organ for my place. Wanna see it?”
“Maybe another time,” I coughed.
“It’s one of those new pump organs. C’mon, it won’t take long.”
“I’ll see you later, Icc,” I said and walked past him.
I went into the office and tried to focus on paperwork but then saw someone coming over to the door and opening it. I blinked, wondering if I was seeing a ghost. “Taurus!” I exclaimed, recognizing Adder.
“Howdy stranger!”
“Come on in!” I stood and went to hugh him.
“How’ve you been?” he asked, hugging me back.
“I’ve been alright. Lots of work... Actually... You just saved me a trip to Colorado. Was going to come see you.”
“Oh?”
“Was just gathering thoughts before making the trip. Have you heard about a girl named Chanelle?”
“Nope,” He shook his head.
“How about a guy named Joey?”
“Cant say I know anyone by that name either,” he said and I sighed. “What’s it all about?”
“Well she came into the saloon the other day looking for this guy... Apparently he owes her like twenty bars of gold.. Sam took the case so I thought I’d see if the names rung any bells with you but I guess not...”
Adder whistled and said, “That’s a big bill.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“She say why he owes her 20 bars of gold?”
“I guess she did this huge case for him as a lawyer.. He was made guilty... I don’t really get the full story. Was the case of a lifetime apparently.”
He raised his eyebrows and asked, “He was found guilty? Of what?”
She said the second the judge called ‘guilty’ the guy ran out and she hasn’t seen him since.”
“What was he guilty of?”
“Don’t know. Haven’t seen her since. t’s very strange but I was gonna poke around Colorado...’
“Ok.... so you’re looking for a guy who is on the run having been found guilty, and you don’t have a clue what he’s guilty of?” he asked and I sighed. “He could be a damn mass murderer!”
“How long you been in town?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“A little over half an hour I guess.”
“Just wanderin or should I feel special cos you came to say hi?” I winked at him.
“Just wandering, but I thought I’d pop in and say hey when I saw the Pinkerton sign.”
“Glad you did,” I smiled. “I’ve got to make a trip out to Colorado after all I guess... Care to join me or are ya not ready to go back yet?”
“Aye, I’ll tag along. Make sure ya don’t get shot by some mass murdering cannibal with 20 bars of gold.”
“Ever the bright spot of optimism, you are,” I chuckled.
“Realist you mean,” he said as we walked out of the office.
Colorado.
As we walked, we continued to talk about the case. “By the way... I think it was that she defended him in a case and he didn’t give her the bars of gold. But you’re right, we don’t actually know what he was up for.”
“You and Sam need to find that out. Not only for safety, but also it might give you some ideas where to look for him.”
“You’re right,” I nodded and looked around.
“I don’t even know where to start. There been anybody in these parts lately?”
He nodded and said, “But all faces I can put names to.”
“Guess we just wander around?”
“Seems as good a way to start as any!”
We walked around Colorado and the place was pretty much deserted. I stopped short when I saw the gallows and asked why they needed two. Adder told me it was in case Lebron or Liam ever came back. He said even the Wild Bunch didn’t run there too much.
“No?”
“Nope. They’ll still pick a fight if I go south. Outnumbered me a few days back and took me hostage”
I stopped dead in my tracks and blinked at him. “Held you hostage?!” I folded my arms across my chest.
“I just mouthed off and took the piss till they got sick of me, gave me a beating and dumped me. They were hoping to get a few thousand coins for me. Guess I was too much trouble.”
I rolled my eyes and kept walking. No one was around I asked if he’d heard of a little girl named Emily and told him about her and the button. He suggested that Emily had come from a wealthy background, or stolen a rich girl’s shirt since she had such a rare button.
Adder headed home to work on some things and I went over to visit Amee and Mack. I thought about everything going on with JJ, Vlad, Rebb, Icca and even Eagle, and told myself to get a grip. We talked about the cases I was working on but he didn’t know much about any of it. I sighed, disappointed that they didn’t know anything, and leaned back in my chair.
“What is troubling you, Trin?” Mack finally asked.
“I feel like I’m lost in a sea of confusion. All these cases... No leads...”
“Well, I dunno what to tell ya ‘bout that. I aint much of a detective. I just slap the cuffs on ‘em and shoot ‘em if they don’t come willingly.”
“Taurus doesn’t know anything either... I feel like these people are just popping up out of nowhere and none of these trails are gonna land anywhere. I feel like we have to sit and wait until something bad happens. There’s no way to prevent the bad from happening.”
“Well, I ‘spose you could always hire yerselves a shootist.,” Mack smiled slyly.
“That is part of life Trin...but for every bad thing that happens, there is usually a good thing right on it’s tails,” Amee said.
I nodded but then said, “You know what I don’t get... Why people still have to wear those Confed uniforms. As if it’s going to solve anything. It just makes people uncomfortable.”
Mack pointed towards a figure of a body laying on the ground and said, “That’s why I let that body lay there.... reminds me of what is important.”
“What the..” I blinked.
Mack looked at me sharply and growled. “Need I remind you that I fought for the South?”
“This girl Emily,” I explained. “She keeps running from Confed uniforms... I don’t know why and I can’t figure it out. She’s running from something terrible that happened in her past and I’m worried about her. She’s all alone, I have no idea who her parents are or where she’s from..”
“I spose you outta ask her about that,” he grunted.
“She won’t talk. She’s mute. She just answers yes and no questions..”
“Then ask her yes or no questions.”
“I finally figured out the validity of her fear of Confeds... I want to know what happened in that damned war to make her so afraid.”
“That war messed a lot of us up,” he looked over at me. I looked at him, waiting, and took a deep breath to calm myself, but he didn’t say anything. “Well?”
“Well what?” Mack gazed at the snow, not looking up.
“Give me the history lesson here, Mack. I need some insight.”
“Nothing to tell,” Mack looked down.
“Please Mack?” I sighed, almost begging.
“Let me make it plain as day to you, Trin. I don’t talk about my past. Period,” Mack said with an annoyed voice.
“Okay, consider it dropped.”
“Especially the war.”
“It’s dropped,” I looked at him and he spit on the ground. I swallowed hard and tried to think of where else I could gain the information I needed.
“No need to be distraught, Trin. There are just some things that a man does not talk about. Killin’ being one a them.”
“I understand, Mack... But that war is the secret here and it’s the only way I’m gonna be able to help that poor little girl.”
“Do they have a library where you live? Or a newspaper office?” he asked and I glared at him, knowing he knew what I did for a living, and he chuckled.
I stood and said, “Guess I have some work to do...”
“A detective’s work is never done, I spose.”
“Mack, I’m sorry I...” I looked at him.
“No need to apologize. We are all friends here.”
“Safe paths there, Trin,” Amee said.
“I just thought...” I shook my head. “I should go.”
“You are welcome to stay. No need to run off.” He looked over at me as I sat down again and asked, “So how are YOU doing?”
“Me?” I looked at him, not even sure how to answer that question.
We talked about the weather and other minor subjects before I decided to head home.
Wyoming.
I headed towards the Cherokee village and called, “Osiyo! It’s Trin! I am unarmed!”
The tribe welcomed me into the village and I talked with them about the article for the paper. “Osiyo, Chief. I hear congratulations are in order,” I said to the chief and then looked to Little Sky. “I was writing the article from our talk yesterday, Little Sky... I had a couple of questions.”
“Yes Trin, what are the questions?”
“Well you described everything leading up to the ceremony... What happens during the ceremony? How is it performed? I know the part about the ceremony gifts... But what is the procedure for the rest of it?”
“Well . . All the guests will be invited into the Medicine Circle – the Sacred Medicine Wheel that is symbolic of Life and the connection and Continuity of all living things. As they enter the Circle, they will be saged (cleansed and purified), and symbolically enter the womb. For when you leave the circle, you are reborn as anew: a married person – not just to each other, but to the family and their community, and they to you,” she explained and I nodded, petting Trumble, the female dog who was Manipi’s friend, as Little Sky continued. “The Wedding party & parents will be in the center of the Circle, and will be saged. The Sisters/mothers will carry the baskets, and will hand them to the Bride and Groom during the Basket Exchange which symbolizes the tangibles of how the couple will take care of each other during their marriage.”
I smiled, enjoying how symbolic and meaningful everything sounded as she continued. “The families and the guests in the Circle will be invited to come up and give a personal Blessing to the Couple, everything from a hug and kiss to reading a poem, or whatever. Everything is appropriate. This allows the Community to be a part of the Ceremony as well as symbolically welcoming them into the Community. The Wedding Blanket is carried by sisters/siblings, and the tying of the Blanket symbolizes the Union of the two lives. It will be folded and carried to a safe place by the Mothers after the ceremony. It may not touch the ground until the Wedding has been consummated.”
I nodded, listening as she talked, and asked, “Anything else?”
“I can not think of anything else. After that they go away together then return to the tribe as husband and wife.”
I smiled, recognizing the custom of the honeymoon. “And how long do they go away for?”
“A few days usually, depending on the weather.”
I continued to talk to the tribe as people came in and out of the village. The chief came back to join us along with Ahawi and I congratulated them on the engagement.
“Our chief was almost killed by palefaces on his journey to get sacred roots,” Ahawi told me.
“When?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at Ahawi.
“He returned last sun beaten.”
“Chief...?” I looked over at him, concerned.
“Three palefaces attacked him.”
“Do you know who?”
“No,” Chief said. “I kill one, other two escape. Both will have knife wounds on arms.”
“What happened, Chief? Did they give a reason?”
“They say they want food and I offered to share from what little I had... but they want it all and beat me with clubs.”
“Did you go to law, Chief?” I looked at the chief, wanting more information about the attack. I was angered someone beat up the man who had welcomed me as a friend.”
Ahawi noticed a wound on the dog and started to heal him. I knew that I wouldn’t get anything specific out of the chief since he didn’t know the man’s name, and watched as Ahawi healed the dog.
After a while I stood up and looked at the chief. “I guess I should head home. Thank you all for your help with this article. It was good to see all of you.”
“Safe paths, Trin,” Ahawi nodded to me. Then she asked, “Trin... Do you know a woman by the name of Stacie Rage?”
“I know the name well,” I nodded and remembered the countless unproductive conversations she’s had with her.
“You know where I can find her?”
“Probably in Amiville or somewhere... I don’t know if she still lives there. Haven’t seen her in months.”
“Wado, I will look for her there.”
“Trumble, wanna go for a walk?” I asked then and looked at the chief. “I came unarmed. I don’t intend on going through the City of Mines alone...” Trumble chased his tail happily and I chuckled, watching him.
“I do not blame you Trin. Is a fine pup you have,” Ahawi said.
“Chief... If you need my help with getting arrests over this attack... You know where to find me,” I told the chief and looked at Ahawi. “Oh he’s not mine... He just followed me into the village right before I got here.”
“Trin, we will handle justice for Chief,” Ahawi insisted.
“I will find these two myself... and make examples of them,” Chief looked at me and I sighed.
“Is our way Trin. Must be done,” Ahawi said.
“They will be taken captive and tied to pole in village and left to the women to punish them,” Chief said.
“For me to punish!” Ahawi exclaimed.
I shook my head, letting him know what I thought of that, and looked down at the two dogs running around my ankles. “Shall we? Safe paths everyone,” I took a long look at them all and walked out of the village with a wave.
City of Mines.
I stopped short when I saw Harley and looked up at him. “Out for a ride, Buu?”
Buu narrowed his eyes at me and I raised an eyebrow at his silence. “You got some problems, Trin?”
“Nope, Just on my way home.”
“They look like wolves to me,” Buu said about my dogs.
“Your point?” I smiled at him.
“Wolves are dangerous”
“To those they need to be dangerous of, sure. Let’s go guys,” I told the dogs and we started walking home, hearing shooting off in the distance as we walked.
Georgetown.
Trumble followed me home and I pulled out my gun, muttering that I would have loved to have the guns facing Buu. The dog barked happily and I thanked him for protecting me.
I walked around town and found Nile in the streets. I told him about the frustrating investigations in Colorado and met a woman named Velvet. We went to the saloon for a drink and about how the Spread Eagle had been closed up. We went to the sheriff’s office and bantered back and forth. I started to remember getting shot by Harley in the jail in Amiville and told myself to get a grip.
“You need to get a hold of yourself miss. You’re gonna be facing a lot of tough challenges in your job.”
He tried to tickle me to make me smile but then I said, “I need to learn how to put the past behind me.”
“I have an idea you like to write, write it out and then it’ll all be done, you’ll have your memories saved so you can make new ones. Sometimes we need to forget parts of our past to move on with our futures.”
“I’ve been trying.. Trying to get my thoughts out on paper.. Trying to minimize them to characters in a book. That I have some control over. But then I see things...”
“Well I have another idea come with me.”
“What is it?”
“Just follow me, we’ll need to hop on a train.”
“Eagle will be home soon... I should... Go home...”
“Not afraid of trains? We can stop by your house. “Don’t the tracks pass right by? I have a key to the old steam engine.”
“I just need to be here when he comes back... I...” I walked over to him. “Nile... Don’t tell.. Sam about this?”
“I won’t but we gonna get you over those fears after your done with your lover boy.”
“Give me time, Sheriff.”
“I will, but we gonna do something that helps me. Meet me here later.”
“Moving here.. Away from them... Investigating crimes... It helps... Slowly... I feel my confidence building back.”
“That’s good. You want a ride to your home?”
“It’s just when I see things that remind me of so many painful memories at once... It’s a lot to take at once.”
“It’s okay, I forgive ya.”
“Last night... I stood up to Reb and got him to stop terrorizing Emily. Grabbed his arm and everything.”
“Nice.”
“Two months ago, Nile, I would’ve run out of the saloon at the sight of him.”
“Reb isn’t such a bad guy, but I don’t like him messin with Emily.”
“And Icca... I can actually stay in the same room with him too... Granted it’s not a positive relationship but at least I don’t run away from him either. It’s getting better, Nile,” I tried to convince myself more than him.
“Ah alright but we still gonna do sometin later your not getting out of it. Want a ride home?”
“Yeah, sure.” We got into the carriage and rode home and I said, “You must think I’m a total fraud.”
“Nope just meet me later.”
“We’ll see.”
“Trust me.”
“Thanks for the ride home,” I hopped out of the carriage when we got home and headed inside.
Eagle greeted me and I went up to him, holding him close. We talked about the Christmas tree I’d set up and then we started to cook and make traps, grateful for something to do to distract me from everything. I kissed him deeply and then we went out to gather supplies for traps.
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