December 7, 1869

Georgetown. 

This morning I had coffee in the saloon and then went back to write some notes for the newspaper at my office. I went to ride around and stopped in Nebraska. 

Nebraska.

I talked with Romey and he said that there was just a wolf in the area but nothing else was happening. I stopped in front of the grocery store and the clinic to speak with a rider who was passing by. He told me that a tiger attacked him and that he was fine. His name was Kll and he seemed curious about the area and how easy it was to get lost. 

Colorado Springs.

I went to Adder’s house and knocked on his door. He greeted me inside and he asked how things were going. 

“Things are good. Guess who’s got a gun/badge again,” I smiled. “Though I never actually had a badge before...”

“Aye I noticed you were armed,” he chuckled. 

“Badge is in my pocket,” I patted my pocket. “You’re looking at Georgetown’s newest Pinkerton Agent.”

“Congratulations,” he smiled. 

“Thank you! I wanted to come over and offer my... services... In case you ever needed assistance on anything ‘round here. As you know we don’t have to worry about jurisdiction but we can’t work cases until the local law asks for our help.”

“Thanks. Though most of my regular customers are from the southern side of the border. Not a place to be trifled with. I’ve got something that might amuse you.” 

“I’m listening.”

He passed me an arrest warrant and I laughed as I read the warrant for Red Viper, signed by ‘Judge John Bull’. 

There was a knock on the door and Andy’s voice shouted, “Hewwo!” 

“Who’s there?” Adder cocked his pistol and shouted. 

“Deputy Andy Howard! I work wiff Wogan!” the boycalled back and I looked over at Adder with concern. 

“Well you’re in the wrong town. Callaghan and his deputies got no jurisdiction here,” Adder shouted. “And any that think otherwise, I lock up”

“Oh I passing out cookies, sir. You just twy it!” Andy called back and Adder looked through the binds. “Oh you law too? I hab somding for yous!” 

“You’re on private property. And I aint friendly. Five. Four. Three. Two... One...” 

Andy yiped and ran off the porch. 

“Still on my land!” Adder growled. 

“I off porch! I made cuffers! Want a pair mister?” Andy asked. 

“Andy he means it... You might best head on your way!” 

“Like I said. I ain’t friendly,” Adder insisted. 

“Dey weally good! I would wike to donate dem.” 

“Donate em to Callaghan. Not that he’s capable of CATCHING anyone!” Adder shouted and I cringed. 

“He da best lawman ebber!” Andy yelled out in protest. “You shut ups!” 

“How much did he pay you to say that?” Adder laughed and I rolled my eyes. 

“And I worked hard on dese cuffers dey work goods! We widing partners!” 

“Aye. About the same age mentally. Now clear off shortstack,” Adder said and I shook my head, wondering how he’d changed so much since the last time I was there. 

“You take it back and say sowwy dat not nice!” Andy shouted.

“I’m not nice.” 

“You take it back! I whopp you!” 

“Andy, go home. Trust me,” I shouted. When Adder drew his pistol, I sighed and went over to him. “Adder stop! He’s just a kid. Let it go,” I put a hand on his arm. 

“Go home,” Adder said slowly to the boy, standing on the doorstep. 

“You take it back mister man.” 

“Andy, go home, please,” I looked at him insistently. 

Andy rested his hand on his sling shot and said, “I offer to be cherryables cuase it mr. jeebus’s birthday and you mean and... and you talk mean about my boss.” 

“Andy,” I said more sternly. 

“I don’t nebber see you catch no road agents!” 

“Your boss.... reaps what he sows,” Adder told him. 

“Knitting isn’t hard! I ebben knows how!” 

“Go back inside. I’ll deal with this,” I looked at Adder.

“You takes it back mister man,” Andy put a rock in his sling shot and aimed it at Adder.

“Andy I mean it..” I looked at him. 

“Maybe it’s time I had a word with Callaghan about the attitudes of his ‘deputies’. This is the second one this week,” Adder muttered and walked back inside. 

“You said mean dings,” Andy glared. 

“Andy, put the slingshot away,” I ordered and he did so. “Go home, son. Tell your boss I’ll be paying him a visit.”

“Dese cuffers are really nice. Otays.” 

“Go on.” 

“I sowwy to make him mads,” Andy said and left. 

“Adder let me in....” I knocked on Adder’s door and walked in, looking at him angrily. “What were you gonna do, shoot the kid?”

“Rude little sod,” Adder grumbled and shrugged. “Maybe.” 

“Technically, he was trespassing. and disturbing the peace. And drew a weapon.” 

“Not on my watch you don’t. He’s just a kid. Taurus... Come on. Yeah he’s a kid and annoying one at that...”

“Can’t wait for Callaghan’s reaction. If he’s got the balls to react at all that is.” 

“I’ll talk to Logan. You stay out of it. Just let it go, alright?”

“My town,” Adder shook his head. 

“I don’t need any gunfights between the two of you. Not after all...” I shook my head and sighed. “Just think before you do anything rash,” I said and walked out angrily. 

Wyoming. 

I called into the Cherokee village and there were three women there, including Ahawi. “I just saw Red Viper on the way here... I’ve had a history with her in Colorado Springs.”

“Must get to cave,” Ahyoke said. 

“Trying to decide if I should fight or hide,” Ahawi said. “If there are many it would not be fair. I have good hiding spot.” 

“Can I come with you?” I looked at her. 

“Can shoot and hide,” Ahawi said. 

“It’s ben a while since I’ve been in a gun fight..” I said, feeling the adrenaline growing, assuming there were more outlaws joining Red on the mountain. 

“You should go to the cave,” Julia told us. “I will wait here and fight them if they come.” 

“We should, Ahawi. It’d be safer,” I said.” 

“Ahyoke and Trin, go to cave,” Ahawi instructed. “I’ll protect them in the cave,” she says, nervous about the cave but knows it’s safer,” I said. 

“Julia and I are trained, we can fight,” Ahawi promised. 

“Let’s go, Ahyoke,” I said and led Ahyoke in the cave nervously. “Ahyoke, I know that I’m an agent but... Caves... They... They bring me back to a bad time in my life,” I sighed. “I became a detective so that I could overcome that fear and gain confidence against the outlaws but... I guess I’m just not confident enough to be in the line of fire. I am more good with the investigation part of it..”

“Yes... Oh, me just learning to become warrior,” she said. 

“I am more the brains behind investigation. Not the braun. I’ve been defeated twice. I’m not ready to do it again...”

“I believe you. Buffalo got me. It hurts.” 

“Bison almost got me. The two times I mentioned were not from animals.” 

I looked around the cave, flashbacks coming over me like a wave and I started to panic. 

“Trin, you’re okay. In here, we are safe,” Ahyoke promised. 

“I just... caves...”

“Trin, think of happy times. Forget about you’re in a cave. Maybe if I play flute it help. I know it’s hard to do.” She started to play her flute and I listened to her playing. I tried to focus on the music but my mind went over the knife, the cage, the girls hanging from the cuffs. “Trin, can you tell me about it? Maybe it would help.” 

“I have to go out there... I can’t just sit in here. I have to... do something...” I shook my head. “Action, Ahyoke. Reflection will not help.” 

“I am sorry, Trin.” 

“It’s been long enough...” I went to the entrance and saw a man walking towards us, but didn’t recognize him. He greeted us and I put my hand against my gun nervously, but Ahoyke introduced the man as Sray. “I need... outside.... Are they still...”

“Let me see,” Ahoyke said and looked around the village. “I think it’s safe for now.” 

I walked out and she promised it was safe enough to leave. I took the opportunity and ran home. 

Georgetown. 

I ran over to the sheriff’s office and knocked hard. “Come on Nile, be there...” I swore under my breath, pacing in front of the door. I looked in the Pinkerton office, but didn’t see Sam. I walked into the saloon and took a drink of whiskey from my flask. I jumped at the sound of the saloon doors opening and sighed with relief at the sight of my boss. 

“Hello, hello. Miss Trin, how are we today?” Downy asked as she sat down beside her husband. 

“I...” I swallowed and looked down, getting emotional. 

Downy poured a couple of shot glasses full and moved one over to me. “Here, have another drink.” 

I looked between them, hardly even able to look Sam in the eye. I took the shot from Downy and drank it. “I... and they... so we...” I tried to start. I felt the urge to throw my flask against the room, frustrated at myself, but tried to calm down. 

“Alright Trin out with it,” Sam said in a stern, but kind voice. I cringed and told myself to relax. 

I went to Wyoming to check on the tribe there... Doing the rounds...” I looked down at the table, still unable to look at Sam. “I saw Red Viper standing there... Alone at that point but she was just standing there. I ran to the village where Ahawi and Ahyoke were talking with this other woman... The woman said that Ahyoke and I should go to the cave, and she would fight Viper with Ahawi. My first instinct was to stay and help fight... Telling myself that I’m a lawman and it’s my job... But as I waited in the rocks I panicked... The woman told me and Ahyoke to go to the cave and hide. We went there... Even though being in a cave is.. the last place I want to be..” I held my gaze on Downy. “We waited for a long time before deciding it was probably safe to go out... She went out to check and I was... there ... all alone... in the cave... Then she came back with a man I didn’t know and said he was named ‘Sray’... We started to go out to the village and everything was clear so I ran home to Georgetown.” I shook my head, angry at my own weakness than anything else. 

“Wasn’t nothin’ you could do,” Sam looked me in the eye. 

“I ran, Sam,” I looked back at him. “I should have stayed in the village and fought. I should’ve... I was armed and everything. I could’ve...”

“No.” 

“And then in the cave... I should have been the one comforting her...”

“You are no good to me dead. Sometimes there isn’t anything you can do but live to fight another day.” 

“You’re not disappointed? I just wish sometimes... That the past could really be in the past. That it wouldn’t haunt me and.. You’re not disappointed in me, Sam?”

“Of course not,” he shook his head. 

“But I...” 

“Why do we fall off horses Trin?”

I took the whiskey and drank more. “To get back on again?”

“Cos crap happens and horses buck,” Downy said. 

“Exactly, so we can learn to get back on again,” Sam nodded. 

“I just... I saw Viper and I...” I nodded. 

“You’re an investigator, not a soldier. Remember that. And the information you gain is more important than the battles you fight.” 

I nodded, relieved he saw it that way, and headed back to the office to get some more work done.