December 28, 1869

Kansas. 

I wandered into the village in Kansas, wondering where everyone was. I talked to a woman working in the garden who was taking the food. She told me not to tell anyone and I shrugged, leaving her be. Howling Bear approached and I greeted him. He said that things had been quiet and peaceful lately and he talked about how he’d gotten a new puppy as a gift for Wind. He said that Dances with Fire was sick with white man’s flu and that he was out hunting. I said that I was low on food and he gave me some meat to feed for my dog. I thanked him and told him it was good to see him. 

“You might want to check at Bear River and see if they have had any more trouble with the raiders,” Howling said. 

“Raiders in Wyoming?”

“So I was told, yes.” 

I sighed, thinking how complicated things had gotten in Wyoming. I wondered if they’d even want my help and said, “Guess I could wander out there.”

“Safe paths, my friend,” Howling smiled and gave me a soft hug. 

I hugged him back and said goodbye before walking on. 

Amiville. 

I hesitatingly went over to Logan’s place and knocked lightly on the door. Rayce invited me in and I smiled. “How are things?” 

“If people would stop setting the house on fire, much better. And you? Your hair looks lovely.”

“Setting the house on fire?” I raised an eyebrow. 

“Someone set it on fire today, second time. I suspect the five horsemen.” 

I sighed, hearing the name of the gang. “Thought ya’ll were rid of them.”

“No, not hardly. What can I do for you, Miss Trin?” 

Logan slid off the counter then and walked in from the kitchen. “Oh how pleasant to see you Miss Paige. How are you?” 

“Well I just thought it’s been a while since I’d talked to ya’ll... I’ve been going over some old notes and was thinking about....” I stopped when I saw Logan. “Logan, good to see you. Just thought it’d been a while and wanted to stop by to see how you were doing.”

“Well it certainly is a pleasure to see you. I was just...” He looked over his shoulder at the charred marks on the wall. “Just trying to enjoy the evening.”

“I hear you’ve had some trouble lately. Rayce was just tellin me of the fires.”

“They think I did it,” he nodded. 

“You can’t be serious,” I laughed. “This is your place, Callaghan.”

“It’s either targeting Logan, or myself, from the five horsemen. They also kidnapped Andy, the boy we adopted.”

“You adopted Andy?”

“They are non-too-happy with me, either...” Rayce nodded. “We did. The boy grew on me.” 

“Yes we did,” Logan nodded.

“Ya’ll married now?” I looked between them. 

“Not yet,” Rayce smiled and showed off her ring. 

“Congratulations!” I smiled. 

“Thank you,” Rayce smiled broadly. 

“Well it’s rather bittersweet. Only the day after his adoption he was abducted... by Cathy,” Logan said. “And now Cathy is dead... murdered.”

“Should we be sitting down for this?” I coughed and sat down. “Yeah, we should sit...”

“I know you didn’t do it,” Rayce put her hand on his arm. 

“Can we...?” I looked over at the couches. 

“Please,” Rayce nodded and gestured to the seats behind me. 

“Yes, let’s sit,” Logan sighed and put his hand over Rayce’s. 

“So let me get this straight...” I sat down on the chair, giving them the couch. “You get engaged... You adopt Andy... Andy gets kidnapped by Cathy, who then gets killed... And now the horsemen are setting fires to your place, Logan?”

“That’s about how it happened,” Logan nodded, his expression growing darker. “I didn’t kill her.” 

“I know you didn’t,” I nodded. 

“She was killed after we got Andy back...” Rayce said. 

“You’re not that kind of man,” I said to Logan and then shook my head. “Wow...” 

“I think the fire was before, and after, the kidnapping.” 

“How did you get Andy back?”

Logan ran his hands through his hair and sighed. “Well, I went over there and simply... took him back.”

“He was just that easy to get out of there?”

“They demanded reduced charges for Cathy’s murder trial. Then when that happened, he went out there to get the boy,” Rayce said. 

Logan laughed lightly. “Well I think I scared her lawyer a bit. He didn’t put up much of a fight.” 

“You would,” I chuckled. 

“Her lawyer is also her boyfriend,” Rayce said. 

“Oh really?” I raised an eyebrow. 

“He is?!” Logan quickly turned to her. 

“I....used to run with the Five horsemen...for a while. Secretly. I left them, but I know all the people who hide as one of them...” Rayce was looking anywhere but at Logan. 

“Definitely glad we’re sitting for this...” I leaned back. 

Logan smirked and then frowned. “You don’t think this a revenge sort of thing do you?”

“I don’t think they are targeting me. Just you,” she said. “As you are Sheriff type of thing. And I bet they suspect you of killing her.”

“Why would they be targeting Logan? For taking Andy back? I’m sure you living with him makes hurting you a side benefit, Rayce.” I looked around suddenly and asked, “Didn’t this used to be the brothel?”

“Yes, but Frank moved on,” Logan nodded and then sighed with a heavy sigh as he hung his head in his hands. “It’s all my fault. I’m putting both you and Andy in danger with this mess.”

“Knock that shit off,” Rayce punched him. “We’re in this together. And if I become a judge, don’t you think that will make me a target too?”

“Ya’ll are just full of surprises tonight,” I raised an eyebrow. 

“We’re destined for turmoil either way,” Logan nodded. 

“I’m speechless, really.” 

“That’s unusual!” Logan exclaimed. 

“You know me well,” I chuckled. “So you may have noticed the badge.” 

“Yes, are you a deputy now?” Logan asked. 

“Well, this is actually a Pinkerton badge. But I am a deputy in Georgetown as well. Just when the sheriffs are around. I ain’t gonna be a sitting duck out there.”

“Well that’s nice. I’m glad to hear that you found your niche.” 

“I’m a Pinkerton until requested otherwise,” I chuckled.

“Pinkerton...” Rayce said slowly. 

“I’m a sheriff... until I get hanged,” Logan said. 

“It’s pretty much the same thing I was doing for you. Investigating cases but I can’t arrest. But as Deputy.. if it becomes a local issue... I can definitely arrest. I’ve actually been dealing with my share of fires lately too...”

“Stop that,” Rayce punched Logan again. 

“Newspaper office there was set on fire a couple weeks back now. While I was inside. With a child.” 

“Did you look at Harley?” Rayce muttered. 

“Well at least the jelly will last longer and you won’t have to can so many preserves,” Logan laughed. 

“It wasn’t him. I’m pretty sure of it. This has Icca written all over it,” I shook my head.

“Harley is with child?” 

“I was talking to a girl in the office when the fire went off,” I shook my head. “Icca had just been by to tell me how nice I looked, which in itself seems normal of course,” I rolled my eyes. “Then seconds after he leaves the corner of the building is on fire and he’s standing outside with a bucket of water.”

“Well at least he was ready to put it out.” 

“Was one of those quick fires... Went out almost instantly. He’s been messing with me. Him and Rebel.”

“Iccabod or Harley,” Rayce said as a statement more than a question. 

“Harley’s been sticking to the City of Mines... He generally leaves me alone unless I go out there. Then it’s shoot first ask later.”

“As always,” Rayce said. 

“Oh and got in my first shootout in months too,” I looked at Logan, knowing he remembered the last one all too well. 

“Oh did you? I haven’t shot anything.... not even CATHY... in a very long time.” 

“Sheriff Nile and I went up to Silver Plume to do the rounds and we saw Rebel out there... Guess he didn’t like us pokin around near his place so he started firing. Got hit a bit but I’m fine now... We fired a few shots back and then decided he wasn’t worth our time. So we get back to town and he followed us. Set off dynamite right beside the clinic. Almost got into it again with him but he got bored I guess and up and left without a word.”

“Oh where are my manners, would you like something to drink, Miss Trin?” Rayce said then. 

“After all those surprises ya’ll threw at me? I’d love one,” I said with a chuckle. 

“We just love surprises,” Logan grinned. 

“Though I honestly am not sure how long I can stay... It’s getting a bit late and I want to get back before dark. Maybe a raincheck on that drink?”

“Oh, all right,” Rayce stood but then frowned. 

“Of course. You are welcome to visit anytime.” 

“It was very good to see you both... I’ll come back often I promise.” 

“Good to see you, and congratulations on your Pinkerton job.” 

“I hope these fires stop for ya’ll too. Thanks, Rayce. I do love it.” 

“They will even if I have to kill every last one of those bloody pastards,” Rayce muttered. 

“Logan I’d love to sit down and chat business about a case or two with you, get an observer’s opinion. Hopefully they won’t become serious issues but I wouldn’t put it past these guys.”

“Of course,” Logan nodded. 

“Ya’ll have a good evening!” I smiled and said goodnight before heading home.