Georgetown.
This morning I got a wire from Twist inviting me over for coffee at her house with Lil. I headed over there and greeted them both as they served me some coffee. “Have ya seen the child today?” Twist asked.
“I just got up, got the wire about coffee here and came here,” I chuckled and took a sip of the coffee. “Mighty fine coffee at that.”
“Ahh I see,” Twist said.
We continued talking about TJ and Twist and then I said, “I need to find what I can about this Emily girl..”
“God bless her soul,” Twist nodded.
“You met her yet, Lil? Good to see you again, by the way,” I said, remembering her from Amiville.
“Don’t think so,” she shook her head. “Great to see you again.”
“She don’t speak much. If at all. And last I found out she runs from confederate soldiers or anything of the like.”
“Oh yeah, I remember. She is very timid,” Lil said.
“I think she might be a child of help,” Twist suggested.
“I’m starting to agree with you more and more. It would explain why she runs from confed soldiers...” I nodded.
“Ohh I must start wearing red all the time it might scare all children,” Twist chuckled. “I believe so, Trin.”
“I used to see her peeking in the windows of the saloon,” Lil said.
“We don’t see the white and the blacks marrying so if she is both colors she as to be a child of the help,” Twist said.
“If the soldiers were viscous to her parents for inter-marrying...” I suggested. “It would explain why she ran away. Thing I can’t figure out though.. This dang button... I’ve heard lots of theories of where it could be from and none of ‘em make sense.”
“Maybe she is a product of some plantation owner and her mother,” Lil suggested.
“Do you still have it?” Twist asked with a nod to Lil. I reached into my pocket and showed it to Lil, then to Twist. “I am telling ya it is from Kansas,” Twist insisted.
“Where did you find it?” Lil asked.
“See that’s the thing Twist..” I said. “She came to the sheriff’s office and gave it to Nile after he’d given her a tomato and a glass of tea.”
“The child gave it to Nile, Lil,” Twist said.
“But the rare thing is that the button is dyed blue... Which is very rare.”
“Ohh...” Lil nodded.
“My Native friend suggested it could be from some pine wood out in the far west... Where beetles have been eating the trees and would make the wood blue.”
“But I know my button and as much it is rare it’s not worth much,” Twist said.
“But it’s the rarity that makes it curious,” I nodded. “Not so much the price.”
“I have seen some like it somewhere,” Lil said. “Trying to remember where.”
“It is Kansas,” Twist said again.
“Are you one hundred percent sure, Twist?” I looked at her.
“I think your right Twist,” Lil nodded. “Did she give it as a gift to Nile?”
“When I buy my supplies to make dresses, I am sure I seen one there.”
I reached over for the button and studied it closer. “She gave it more as payment...”
“She can’t talk,” Twist said. “So it is hard to figure what and why.”
“Okay, that would explain it,” Lil nodded.
“It would?” I looked at her.
“She finds things that she thinks is worth something not wanting to beholding to anyone. So she pays with things she finds.”
“That makes sense... But why did she run from me? I was wearing a red shirt and Sam thinks it’s cause it was a Confed color...” I said.
“Maybe,” Twist nodded.
“She didn’t seem anxious around the sheriff. So it’s not all lawmen she hates.”
“No, just soldiers,” Lil said.
“Maybe it’s the female,” Twist wondered.
“I have seen her hide from Yankees also,” Lil noted.
“I was wondering about that too, Twist, and I wanted to test that theory,” I nodded to Twist.
“I’ve never seen her... but everyone knows how I feel about children,” she said.
“She hides from the Yankees?” I asked. “Something happened to her... Something terrible. I’m sure of it. If she ran here... The people who did it to her could be looking for her.”
“Ask TJ about her. He always was nice to her but never rushed her so to speak,” Lil said.
“They may follow her here... We need to find out what she’s running from,” I said.
“Maybe something also happened to her mother and she as seen it,” Twist suggested.
“Another good thought,” I nodded.
“That could be true,” Lil nodded.
“Right, TJ is a good person to talk to though last night he didn’t seem too helpful,” I said.
“That sounds like him,” Lil said.
“Well, TJ is worried for his life,” Twist said.
“He is?” I perked.
“He has not been himself.”
“Oh he is worried about the trial huh?” Lil asked.
“The trial?” I looked around, confused.
“Yes with the trial going on in Amiville we got lots of threats,” Twist said.
“I am sure ya do,” Lil nodded.
“A trial about what?” I narrowed my eyebrows, confused.
“Two days ago some stranger tried to kill him,” Twist said.
“What?!” I raised an eyebrow.
“I would tell him to not trust anyone,” Lil said.
“Kitty killed two people, Miss Trin,” Twist said.
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” I sighed.
“Yeah so he is worried about me wont let me leave the damn house without him,” Twist sighed.
“Honestly, I can’t believe TJ is a judge,” Lil said and I held back my agreement, remembering that night in the cave with Bill’s gang. “Don’t think they will bother you Twist. TJ used to be the baddest boy in town. I spent all my time healing him.”
“He is no angel, that’s for sure,” Twist admitted. “But I believe he has turned a new leaf.”
“I am glad because he really is a nice guy,” Lil smiled.
“He is indeed. The sweetest man I have ever met,” Twist said. “He has a big heart.” I sighed, wondering where that big heart was when Rosa tried to sell me to the outlaws and TJ had done nothing, but I kept my mouth shut while they continued to talk about how great TJ was. When Lil said that TJ and Twist made a good couple, I simply nodded since I felt like I had to say something.
“Miss Trin, if ya see the girl again and she is in need of warmer clothing, let me know,” Twist looked at me finally. “I could make something for her.”
“I will do that. Thank you,” I nodded to her, relieved at the change of topic. “I’m not exactly sure which road to pursue next other than asking around town about her..”
“I hope she is hiding in a warm spot,” Twist said.
“Downy said she spent some time in Wyoming but I went there to talk to my friends and they didn’t seem to know much about her,” I said.
“I am not the mother type but do not wish her arm,” Twist said.
“She has been here a long time,” Lil told me.
“Has she?”
“Yes. She was here when I first came here.”
“I need to speak to Iza Zarco too,” I said, wondering why I felt like I had heard that last name before.
“That’s Icca’s wife,” Twist said.
“Is it...” I looked at her.
“She is the undertaker’s wife,” Lil chuckled.
“I’ve not seen her around much,” Twist said.
As they talked, I had a flood of memories rush through my mind of going to see Dutch’s ‘body’ which wasn’t actually him, then going to plan the funeral for Sayler, then finding out that Icca had worked with the people I was now running from. I shook my head, telling myself to keep it in the past where it belonged and composed myself. “Downy said that Iza might know more about the girl from the boarding house that Emily used to stay at,” I told them.
The subject changed and we talked about how Lil and Drake were seeing each other and how I’d seen him again in Amiville last week after not seeing him in months.
While they talked, my mind was still on the button I was studying in my hands. After a while I said, “Twist, I don’t think this button is wood. It’s smoother than wood...”
“Blue plastic?”
“It looks that way...” I nodded. “This is very very rare, Twist... Plastic has only been invented recently.” I set my empty mug on the table and then said goodbye, thanking them for the time and headed out.
I went to the Pinkerton office and wrote out some notes of what I had discovered that morning. I decided to do the rounds and gathered supplies in Oregon. When I got back to town I heard someone coming up behind me and smiled when Nile teased me about charging me for loitering.
“What’s new?” he asked me.
“Well... I know the button’s from Kansas. Twist is pretty sure about that.”
“Ah Kansas. Who comes from there?”
“Don’t know. But I think she might have been the child of a slave help,” I shrugged. “I also think the button was made of plastic, not wood. It’s smoother than wood...”
“Ah okay.”
“Which would make it very recently made...”
“Yes it would.”
“Since plastic was just recently invented...”
“Yup I read bout that in the newspaper.”
I smiled at him and said, “Well... the things about the button are more clear but we still don’t know much about the girl. Except her name and that she’s possibly from Kansas and that she’s a moletto. I think that sums it up?”
“True, well you seem to be doing a good job investigating. All of this falls out of my jurisdiction and yeah sounds bout right.”
“If it goes into Kansas then yes, but she lives here now so most of the situation is local..” I nodded. “I still think she’s running from something, Sheriff. From someone... And if that person is out looking for her.. I could see fear in her eyes.”
“Yes but who knows who she is running from, so many people pass through this town,” Nile said. “It’s hard to see them all.”
“I just think there’s something here. Something we need to be aware of. For her protection and our own.”
“Yes but we need to find her to protect her.”
“Exactly but we need to know what we’re protecting her from,” I nodded.
“Well let me know what else ya find out.”
“Will do. Maybe you could talk to her again... She seemed to like you... Before I showed up.”
“Yeah if I run into her again, she’s probably freezin out there.”
I said goodbye to Nile and went to wander around the different towns again.
Nebraska.
I stopped in Nebraska and saw a crowd of people standing in the street. “We were following the footprints..have they caught the man yet?” a woman asked.
“Hmm...” I looked down, seeing more prints. “Did they catch who, ma’am?”
“There is a dead body in Kansas and one in north Nebraska. The outlaw that is running loose,” she told me.
“Oh?”
“There was a reward out,” she said. I knew about the dead body in Kansas already but hadn’t heard any developments in the case since finding Gracie tied up on the train had taken our focus.
“Yesterday I found a dead cavalry man just north of here, and another campfire by Kansas,” the girl said.
“Right... And now there’s another body in Nebraska?”
“Yes.”
“Can you show me?”
“I’m sorry, I’m Agent Trin Paige, by the way,” I introduced myself.
“Nice to meet you. We are from the Cheyenne tribe in Kansas,” the woman said about the others around her.
I saw the flag on the saloon was ripped or burned off and said, “The flag looks like it’s been ripped or burned... Hawk’s tribe?”
“I heard there was trouble with that,” she said. “Yes.”
“I know him well,” I smiled. “Let’s go check out this body, hmm?” I asked and got up on Lily, my horse, and followed them. We found more footprints and then saw the body with the hat beside it. “Has anyone seen Pat or Gracie Williams around?” I asked.
“No, not for a few days.”
“Hmm...”
“Frank Ingalls found the body and stolen horse in Kansas.”
“Ohh I know that Frank. There’s a lawyer who works here but he’s also retired law... A man named Alan. Anyone seen him lately?”
“I have not met him yet.”
“Good luck on finding the outlaw. Going to explore,” the man with her nodded to us and tipped his hat before heading off.
“Alan is a lawyer in Iowa,” I explained to them. “I was wondering if he’d heard of this one..”
“There is a campfire across from Sasha’s place and one in the caves in Kansas,” she said.
“I don’t know. I mentioned it to Frank yesterday.”
“I’ll have to talk to Frank..” I looked closer at the hat and said, “This is a US Cavalry hat...”
“I wonder if he would go down to Colorado?”
“Frank?” I looked at her.
“No... the outlaw.”
“Who knows... I need to find Alan and talk to him about this... Or Sheriff Brent..”
“I haven’t met him yet either.”
“Thank you for showing this to me... Chenoa was it?” I asked, clarifying her name.
“Yes. Nice to meet you.”
“Sorry it’s under these circumstances.”
“Thank you for coming to take care of this.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Have a good day now,” I nodded to her.
“We will keep looking for footprints. Thank you, and have a careful ride.”
I went to examine the cigar on the courthouse post of the stairs and saw the burned down flag in front of the saloon, then I rode back home.
Georgetown.
I saw the crowd with Sam and Downy and walked over to them in the street. “Howdy folks!” I greeted them and met Downy’s sister and nephew, Jen and Skyler. I told Sam that we had things to discuss when he had time and then headed to my office where I worked on notes.
Sam walked into the office after a while and pulled out a stack of papers, leafing through them as he puffed his cigar. He took one piece of paper and set the stack down with that sheet on top.
“Sam, did you get my report about the button case yesterday?” I looked over at him.
He mumbled under his breath and took a moment to ash his cigar before reading the paper. “Just looking at it now.” He read it and then rubbed his chin thoughtfully, setting the paper down.
“There’s not much more to report from it yet... Twist is convinced the button is from Kansas and that the girl is a child of a help there,” I explained.
“Well just keep me up to date that sounds like it could have more to it than it appears,” he tipped his head in acknowledgment.
“Sure... There’s another case I need to tell you about though. I’m just writing up a report about it, as more has developed today... It’s something I was following in Nebraska. And now there has been another killing.” I finished my report and looked over at Sam as I handed it to him. He began reading it and I looked at my pocket watch. “I was thinking of going to the event at the Spread Eagle tonight... See what I can find out.”
“This report looks interesting - I think if we are called into it we should take it serious. The button case is something I want you to stick on for now and if the murder case develops great. I can call in other officers as well if needed.”
“Makes sense to me,” I nodded. “I just know local law in Nebraska is, well, almost non-existent. And it seems like there’s a trail... and if it’s headed to where I think it’s headed... It could get very ugly for my friends in Wyoming.”
“I understand lets keep a close eye on it,” he nodded.
“Will do, boss. Thanks. Oh...” I handed him a report from the button case from today as well.
“Looks like you have your work cut out for you. I have a side job I need to attend to seems the pressman didn’t show up so I need to go grab some tools and get that printer up and running for you.”
“Okay Sam. Thank you. I’ll head over to the Eagle and see what’s going on there.”
He laughed and said, “Seems everyone has to learn to do everything around here. Be safe, Agent Trin.”
“You too, boss,” I nodded and headed out of the office.
I went to the Spread Eagle where I danced with Nile and listened to the conversation around us. I went back to town after a while and saw Sam standing in front of the clinic, pacing nervously.
“Sam? Everything alright?” I asked.
“My daughter was attacked by a bear. We found her in the City of Mines a short while ago,” Sam said with worry in his voice.
“Oh Sam...” I put a hand to my chest. “Is she alright?”
“I don’t know. Downy said she needs to see a real doc and ours is out of town. She seems to be holding up okay but I’m still worried about her.”
I reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. “Sam, I’m so sorry... I’m sure she will be alright. I didn’t think there were bears out there... Was she alone?”
“Thanks Trin,” he nodded. “Yes she was out picking herbs and such with Stormy,” he said, mentioning the girl’s horse. “It’s a good thing she was with Stormy or she might not have made it out,” he cringed.
“Oh Sam don’t go there...” I said. “She’s okay, she’ll be in good hands. Your wife won’t let anything happen to her.”
Nile walked over and asked, “Howdy all, what we up to this evenin?”
Sam looked at Nile and then back at the window. “I’m gonna find that bear and kill it.”
“I don’t blame you,” I nodded.
“What’s going on, Sam?” Nile asked.
“Found my daughter over in City of Mines. She had been attacked by a bear,” Sam told him.
“Oh my, is she alright?”
“I sure hope so.”
“What was she doin over there?”
“She said she was collecting herbs and things I think. Sorry my heads not all here.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Not unless you have a bigger gun then those six shooters,” Sam looked at him.
“Not at the moment, still saving up. Being the Sheriff at a town that won’t collect taxes to pay for his job doesn’t work so well,” he winked and I stifled a laugh.
“Can I go in and talk to her, Sam? Folks should know there’s a bear in the area. Seems like something for the paper,” I looked at him.
“Yes you can. Just try to keep your questions short please.”
“Of course,” I nodded and headed inside.
“Let me know if there is anything the sheriff’s office can do as well,” Nile said. “Also, who has jurisdiction in that city?”
“What ya gonna do, arrest the bear?” I muttered at Nile as I walked into the clinic.
“That old mining camp doesn’t have any law, sheriff, and a lot of bad memories... and looks like one more just hit my list,” Sam told him.
I walked into the clinic and asked, “Suzy, how are you feelin?”
“Ah okay. Well I’m sure she’ll be fine. Who do ya got looking after her?” Nile asked outside the clinic.
“My wife,” Sam answered.
Suzy was still passed out in the bed so I headed back outside. “She’s in no shape to talk,” I told them.
“Well from what I remember she knows quite a bit bout the medicine,” Nile said.
“Trin if it helps we found her in one of the upper mine shafts on the north east of the area,” Sam told me.
“That does help, Sam,” I nodded.
“We should warn people to be careful over there until that bear is found.”
“I agree,” I nodded. “Any pony express riders in these parts? I was thinking of posting news bulletins instead of a monthly or weekly edition for now... ‘till more starts happening. More effective that way too. Stories change fast.”
“We have a pickup for the pony express in the general store Trin,” Sam said.
“Ah okay. I’ll make use of that then. I’ll go to my office and write up a quick note.”
“Thank you.”
I put a hand on his shoulder again and said, “She’ll be okay, Sam.”
I went to the newspaper office and wrote a ‘breaking news’ telegram about the bear attack and sent it to the town.
***
This evening I walked into the house and saw Eagle sitting in the kitchen. “Well hello there!”
“Hello Trin. How have you been?” “I’ve been... busy. Really feeling the need to just sit by a fire and chat tonight... Care to join me on a trip to Wyoming?”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
“Let me go change first,” I smiled, thinking how attractive he looked tonight, but I was too nervous to say so. “I’ll be down shortly.” I went upstairs and put on my Native brown dress, setting my gun and holster by the bed. I untied my hair and put on the bracelet that Chief had given me, and then walked downstairs. “Ready to go?”
“Um.... Wow,” he gave a double take when he looked at me.
“Hmm?” I smiled and turned around for him, letting the dress spin. “You like?”
“You look at least as good as native women.”
“I think that’s a compliment?” I chuckled.
“I’m not sure, but I think so too,” he winked at me.
“Shall we?” I blushed and looked at him. “Eagle did I mention... I really am honored that your spirit guide has led you to me... Having you as a protector and friend is a huge blessing to me.”
“I’m glad he has as well. The more I am with you, the more I feel that it is where I belong right now.”
I nodded and went to step towards him. He reached around my waist and pulled my body tight against his. I felt the electricity through my body at the contact and looked deep into his eyes. He looked deeply back as our faces got closer. He kissed me passionately and I felt warm chills through me as I returned the kiss. It had been so long since I had kissed a man.
He stepped back a moment and said, “I..... um.... I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
I shook my head and pulled him to me, reaching up to his long dark hair. “Shh.. Don’t be sorry. I’ve had these feelings for you for a long time...”
“You mean, you feel the same?”
“I never expected they were this mutual,” I said in awe.
“Will you travel life’s journey with me?”
I smiled and traced down to run a finger around his bare chest, looking in his eyes. “I don’t think you can call yourself Lonely Eagle any longer..”
“People usually call me ‘Eagle’ anyways,” he smiled and I kissed him softly again. “Does this mean you don’t want me sleeping on the couch?”
“My bed is big enough for both of us,” I smiled and slid a hand down his spine.
“Then let it be OUR bed,” he smiled.
I swallowed nervously but then reached down tow hold his hand. “I want you to meet my friends... In Wyoming... They will be happy to hear that I have a warrior looking out for me now. Or perhaps my friend Chief Hawk, in Kansas..”
“Would you ever be able to see yourself as a Native’s bride?”
“Would I have to move?” I looked at him, thinking how comfortable I had just become in the big house on the hill.
“No, I have no home among these tribes. I want my home with you.”
“We will cross that bridge when it comes,” I smiled and looked at him intently. “Shall we go to Kansas first?”
Kansas/Iowa.
We walked into Hawk’s village and called out, “Chief Hawk? It is Trin and I’ve brought a friend I’d like you to meet! We are unarmed!”
“Haaahe Trin, we are in Chippewa village!” Hawk’s voice called out from the next village over.
I led Eagle over to the crowd but shots were fired and we heard that Sasha had just been shot. We ran back to Hawk’s village and sat down by the fire, wondering what was going on. Sasha told us that she had gotten shot by a bullet and DD was worried about her father Hawk. I reached over to hold Eagle’s hand, drawing comfort from his close presence.
“Sorry for the panic Trin,” Sasha smiled at us then, once we’d settled down again. “Welcome to our village,” she said to Eagle as she pulled up her skirt to show Two her injury on her leg.
“Perfectly understandable,” I nodded to her. “Sasha, this is my... Suitor... Eagle.”
“Nice to meet you,” Sasha nodded but hissed softly as her legs burned from Two’s treatment on her injury.
“Eagle, this is my good friend Sasha... Her fiancé is Hawk, the chief of this Cheyenne tribe here,” I explained to him. “Hawk has been a good friend for a long time... He has kept me safe and welcomed here for many months.”
“Hello, thank you for your warm welcome,” Eagle smiled.
“This is almost a second home..” I said. “And this is Two, a healer here in the village.”
“Children move back while I work, please?” Two ordered the girls.
“Any service I may be to my fellow brothers and sisters, I offer gladly and freely,” Eagle said to Sasha.
“Any help is always appreciated, Lonely Eagle,” Sasha told him as Two continued to work.
I saw the children running around and playing and relaxed a little. “Sasha... I heard Pat shouting... What’s going on?”
“I honestly do not know, we were all just playing in White Arrows village. Two was healing a man there. Then Hawk yelled at me to run so I did, but still got shot. I’m just glad the children are unhurt.”
“I’ll have to talk to Hawk I guess...” I nodded. “I saw the third body in Nebraska... This is getting serious.” I wondered if the attack was related to the killings going on.
Eagle reached into his pouch and pulled out some black pepper and offered it to Two. “This will help stop the bleeding.” He leaned his head on my shoulder and I smiled, leaning my head against his while Sasha poked at the fire.
“There, that should keep us warms a bit longer,” she said.
“Sasha, how are the wedding plans coming?” I asked, to change the subject.
“Pretty much everything is done. Only the wait is left now,” Sasha smiled softly.
“I have some herbs for pain if you need, Sasha,” Eagle said after a while.
“Thank you, but Two’s medicine is powerful. It barely hurts as it is.”
“I was hoping I could introduce Eagle to Hawk as well...” I interlaced my fingers with Eagle’s.
“I do hope he is safe...” Sasha said.
“I do as well...” I said and looked up in the sky, pointing out the eagle to the man beside me.
“I am sure he is. I will go search for him if you would like,” Eagle offered.
“I would have no idea where to look,” Sasha said.
“They have been at it a long time... I mean he hasn’t returned to the camp in a long time..”
It was at that moment that Hawk came into the village dragging up behind him a man that was tied and bound. He leaves the man laying on a rug and I watched with curiosity, looking from Hawk to the stranger.
“You are well, my heart?” Sasha looked at him anxiously.
The man spit in the snow and said, “I will kill you and that engine-loving ranger that shot me. I was illegally beaten.” He tried to get out of his bindings, unsuccessful.
Hawk looked at Two, “Can you check man’s wound?” Then he looked at Sasha. “I am well my heart.” His cutting gaze turned to the man and he said, “If your mouth does not close you will not have a chance to do this, then looks back to the others. This is the man that burn Pat and Gracie lady’s home.”
“He...” I stood excitedly, looking around. I pulled out my badge and walked over to Hawk, wanting to get in the middle of the action.
“Attacked them. We saw him in lands of Iowa and he attacked,” Hawk said.
“I was beaten by that homeless guy while cuffed and wounded,” the muttered. “What decent whit man does that to another?” he spit in the snow.
“You? You cry and whine after what you did to him?” Hawk stared at the man coldly.
“What kind of man ties a lady to a pole and beats her half to death?” I glared at the man on the rug.
“Daddyyyyy!” DD exclaimed then, running over.
“Yes baby girl?” Hawk looked down at her.
DD kicked the man but then he tried to reach out and grab her. I pulled DD back as her parents ordered she stay away. “Sequoia, you too. Back up sweetie,” I told the other girl and they both went back to Sasha. Eagle took his bow and held it under the man’s neck.
“Hawk... Is there a lawman around? A marshal? Sheriff?” I asked.
“I would strongly advise that you not so much as look at those children,” Eagle ordered the man.
“I take the man to lands of Nebraska, not one person in town,” Hawk told me.
“Of course,” I sighed.
“Our hatred is a perfect hate. A rigorous one,” the man said and I rolled my eyes. “We will rise up and take back what is hours!”
“What’s your name, Sir?” I asked.
“Can I kick him, Daddy?” Sequoia asked.
“No, you will not baby girl,” Sasha ordered.
“Can I scalp him?”
“No baby girl,” Sasha chuckled.
“Two things you can do,” Hawk looked at the man. “Close your mouth or chew on the leather tied in your mouth.” He looked back and ordered Hawk to his girls.
“Could you get me some water, however? I can’t stand just yet,” Sasha said.
“Can I shoot him??? NOW????” Sequoia begged. “I such a bad shot. Might hit Daddy... Sorry...”
Two took the man’s shirt off and we stepped back as the smell filled the air. Two got a canteen from a bag nearby and opened it for Sasha.
“THAT’s why greycoats not taste good, Mommy!” Sequoia coughed.
“Hawk, who has jurisdiction in Iowa?” I asked as I watched the hunting knife fall out of his pocket. I put gloves on and reached for the hunting knife.
“Bullet inside. I need to take out,” Two said and gave the man a stick to bite on.
I handed the knife to Hawk and said, “You’d better take this, Chief.” Hawk took the knife and slid it into his boot.
“Any law you know in the lands?” Hawk looked at me as the others argued around us.
“We didn’t see any on the way here,” I said.
Valk walked over and I recognized him vaguely as Hawk introduced him and Two worked on the man’s wound. “You... You look familiar...” I started, trying to think.
“He beat me when I was down,” the man on the ground muttered about Valk. “Where are my guns? I will burn you out.”
“Why do I know you?” I looked at Valk, still wondering. Then suddenly I remembered.
The man tried to reach for the girl again and said, “I will kill this girl! Let me go!”
“Ah well just cool your jets partner,” Valk told him.
DD ran to her mother and started to cry as Sasha held her.
“Where is that Lilly? Shot me clean in the shoulder then beat my head on a rock,” the man muttered as he chewed on some bark and the girls continued to call the man names while Two continued to heal his wound.
“Hawk... Where’s Pat? I heard him shouting earlier...” I said then. “Valk, you don’t remember me, do you?” I looked at him.
“Can’t say I do,” he shook his head.
“The name Trin Paige ring any bells...? I was a reporter for the Amiville newspaper... Wrote an article about your store being set on fire...”
“Let me go or my boys will burn this place,” the man on the ground continued to threaten.
“I was a reporter for the Amiville newspaper... Wrote an article about your store being set on fire...” I said to Valk. “Actually, I never got to writing that article...”
“Ah that’s you eh? I didn’t reckoning you in all the injun wear,” Valk said.
“We do not worry of your threats,” Hawk said to the man.
“Keep bandage dry, white eyes, rest eat when you can, but drink plenty water,” Two ordered the man. “And may Great Spirit have mercy on you.”
“Well... I’m taking a night off... Until this fool decided to come and ruin it,” I muttered and looked over at the man on the ground.
“Ah well us men always have terrible timing,” Valk said to me.
“I hope you will be tortured every day of your very long life for threatening my sissy,” Sequoia argued.
Pat walked in then, holding his rifle, and I knew this wasn’t going to end well. “There you are boy,” the man on the ground said to Pat.
“Was no Law in lands of Nebraska,” Hawk looked over at Pat. “I have no way to hold this man.”
Pat aimed his rifle at the man and swore as the other man argued back about avenging his wife.
“We need not have bloodshed here,” Eagle insisted.
“Woh woh now listen fella watch the tongue round the ladies,” Valk ordered the man.
“Sasha, you’d better get those kids inside,” I said and looked to Hawk for confirmation.
Pat took his rifle like a bat and beat the man in his face while I tried to stop him. Sasha and Two took the girls into the teepees and the man fell to the side after getting hit. He tried to rush at Pat while still in his bindings.
“You wanna give me one of those spare guns?” I asked Valk.
“Nah can’t have ya getting yourself hurt,” Valk said to me and I showed him my Pinkerton badge secretively.
“Should have killed that girl of yours when I had the chance! We will come and get what is ours!” the man spit in Pat’s beard.
“The fight you have with him is not ours. Do not make it so,” Eagle insisted then.
“We need to get him from village,” Hawk said and I nodded in agreement, thinking how I didn’t even have keys for the cell in Nebraska.
Pat slung his rifle and pulled out a hunting knife. “I’m the only law here eh?”
“I’m half law,” I said, showing him my badge.
“This man...” Pat started. “Beat Gracie.”
“I know, Pat...” I said. “Do you want murder on your hands, Pat?” I asked as he held the knife to the man’s face. “Not that I could do anything about it if he did,” I muttered to myself.
“I do not know pale skin laws,” Hawk said.
“Come on, where is your sherman now, boy? Come on do it, you Yank, do it. Grow some balls boy,” the man taunted Pat.
“You ainanna worth it. Already shot your sorry ass once.”
“Ned somewhere to take him,” Hawk said and I tried to think, but I couldn’t come up with a solution.
Pat flipped the knife on its flat side and swung at the man’s head to hit him on the side of the head. The man started to speak but then was knocked out cold.
“We could always tie him to one of the buffalo in Colorado.....” Eagle suggested and I chuckled a bit.
“No.... them in Amiville ain’t getting this piece of work,” Pat muttered.
“That wasn’t what I was thinking, Pat.”
“Need to see of getting Jail house built Pat,” Hawk said and I nodded in agreement. “No where to hold these kind if we catch them.”
“Any way you could string him up to something in one of these teepees? Or... I have a better idea... That train car that he tied Gracie up in.. Anyone have the lock for that car?”
“Our village is not a place to keep prisoner,” Hawk shook his head. “Too may little ones and women.”
“No Hawk... You remember the train car we found Gracie in.”
“That is fine, but we have no lock.”
“He’s a prisoner of law,” Pat said.
“Can’t you make something, Hawk? Some sort of lock?”
“I need a marshal. I’m too close to this. I am sorry for scaring the kids,” Pat looked at Hawk.
Hawk nodded to Pat. “I understand Pat, I know your anger for this man.”
I went to stand beside Eagle, needing the calmness of his presence to help me think. “I still think we should fashion some kind of lock to hold him in the train car. Until we find a better place for him.”
“Is there a mine near here?” Eagle asked.
“There is one south west of here,” Hawk said.
“No mistreatment of prisoners,” Pat said. “That would be why I testified against TJ.”
“There is also a mine in Nebraska,” I said.
“I need someone here that isn’t me cause I don’t trust myself with him,” Pat looked at Hawk. I was
proud of him for that statement and nodded in agreement.
“I can travel to lands of Amiville and look for Marshal?” Hawk asked.
“He fell on rocks, a’ight?” Pat looked at Hawk. “Alright, look for Tris. He an old friend.”
“Yes I saw him fall and hit head on rocks when the guns stopped,” Hawk grinned.
“You were chasing him and fell down the hill hitting every rock along the way,” Eagle put in.
“Okay I will return quick as I can,” Hawk said and whistled for his horse.
“Ya...” Pat nodded. “We was walking up and he just slipped.” I thought to myself I didn’t need to remember a story since I wasn’t technically involved in the case. Pat turned to me and asked, “Ya a Pinky?”
“Yep, as of yesterday,” I nodded. “Was coming here to take the night off, believe it or not.”
“Well... as ya can see... things in open range different than in towns...”
“Since we weren’t officially asked on this whole serial killer case thing I don’t really have much say in it...”
“That is indeed the truth,” Eagle said.
“I gave my boss a report about it today and he said to watch it closely... So I figured I’d come out here and relax, see what I could hear. Never expected to actually meet the guy responsible.”
“Well... he fell over and hit his head,” Pat looked at me. “You saw it too, aye?”
“My report will end at ‘we found the man responsible being dragged in by Hawk and then discussed what to do with him’,” I shrugged.
“Well still need to ask how many he’s in charge of. And some other questions,” Eagle said.
“Don’t forget that we took care of the prisoner and healed his wounds,” Eagle said.
“Pat, sorry... This is Eagle...” I introduced. “Eagle, Pat. Guess there needs not be any other explanations on who ya’ll are?”
I saw the man, Gosh, who’d thrown a snowball at me in the saloon and he asked, “You DO realize that it is winter, right?”
“Yes, Gosh, that’s why you were able to fashion a snowball and throw it at me,” I muttered.
“I think your man might confused about the time of year.”
“I hope Hawk gets back soon,” Pat said. “At least Hawk gets the money. Will help the tribe.”
“Yeah. You all can use it to buy shirts,” Gosh said.
“I’m just glad this was solved, Pat... At least this part..” I said to Pat. “We still don’t know how many are out there.”
“Blankets maybe. Furs... Something. It’s cold out here,” Gosh looked at Eagle.
“It’s alright, Gosh. I’ll keep him warm. Pat... You need us to stay until Hawk gets back?”
“These people are not representative of my entire race. I promise you,” Gosh said.
“You do not need to worry about me keeping warm. I am used to the cold,” Eagle said.
“So...” Pat went and took the prisoner out to a tree outside of the village and tied him to a tree. “Until a marshal is found... welcome to open range.” He tied the man to a log and got a larger chain to connect the cuffs.
“Is ‘the man’ wearing clothes? You can confiscate them,” Gosh said.
“I believe Two took his shirt off to heal him,” I said.
“Yes, a Confed uniform throw back,” Pat muttered. “Water and food as well. Sad to say but he will need to stay here until Dom is reached. He will be held on trial in Nebraska. That is the closest town.”
“Sad to say? Really?” I looked at him.
Hawk returned then and Pat said, “I’m guessing no luck.”
“Was no one in town,” Hawk said.
“Do you need us still or can we retire for the night?” I asked Hawk.
“Trin, come here for a second.” Pat said and I walked over to him.
“Yes Pat?”
“You can stay here if needed,” Hawk looked at me.
Pat found an earring and held it up. “This is him.”
“We’ll be okay in Georgetown... I am well protected there,” I said.
“Hawk, he is chained for now,” Pat said and told me to tell Downy a disparaging comment to Downy though I chose not to pay much attention.
I went to hold Eagle’s hand and said, “Hawk, before we go... I want you to meet Eagle, my.. .suitor I guess he’d be called. Eagle... This is Hawk... The one I told you about.”
“Sorry to meetcha under these circumstances,” Pat smiled.
“Haahe, Eagle. Is good to meet you,” Hawk smiled. “Was bad circumstances.”
“Greetings Hawk,” Eagle smiled. “It is good to meet you as well.”
“Shall we, darling?” I asked Eagle.
We said goodbye to the others and then headed home.
Georgetown.
I walked into the house with Eagle close behind and said, “What a day...”
“That is certainly true,” he took my hand and led me upstairs.
“I think it is time to retire for the night,” I said and followed him up to the bed where we got ready for bed. “I may fall asleep quickly tonight.”
“I would love that as long as you’re in my arms. Are you okay?”
“I... I will be,” I sighed, relieved he was there.
“May you have good dreams tonight,” Eagle held me tight as I fell asleep in his arms.
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