Wyoming.
I went looking for Leu and his wife and found him sitting in front of a new house. He said they’d had orders to move as per the US Government and he said that it was better to be closer to the village where his work was. He noted that his own house was stone so it should be safe in the instance of a house burning down.
“I think I have convinced the Indians that its not everyone causing them harm, just a few outlaws,” Leu told me.
“Really?” I looked over at him, surprised. “I haven’t spoken with the chief since he threatened me in Georgetown.”
“We have had several talks already. But in the same breath he is not very trusting.”
“Glad someone has,” I muttered, feeling a little bitter. “Does he ever mention me?”
“No, we normally keep to policy and treaties.”
“I had hoped to convince him to stay out of Georgetown. He’s done listening to me, I fear.”
“His woman has come here too which is a sign he is starting to trust my wife and I.”
“That’s a good sign. I heard she even healed a couple of our lawmen. We no longer have a sheriff,” I looked over at him, remembering that Snow had quit last night.
“Yes she has, actually a good woman.”
“She was the first one that I met of them.”
“Yes I heard, seems what law come are either as bad as the outlaws or leave knowing they are outnumbered.”
“That’s pretty much the problem. There’s not enough good law to do anything productive.”
“Yes, That Big John guy seems to be a crooked as the outlaws.”
“You think so? And even if they do do something productive it never goes to trial ’cause our so-called judge couldn’t care less.”
“I tried to press TJ into charging the men who shot the Chief a week ago.”
“Icca…” I clarified. “Who shot me too.”
“He just laughs and changes the subject.”
“I gave him a statement, he said we couldn’t talk until the trial... which hasn’t happened.”
“He won’t do anything, he never does,” Leu said.
“I know. I’ve known TJ a long time. A long, long time…” I sighed. “What’s it about John that makes you not trust him? I had the same feeling when I met him yesterday.”
“Well I have no trust in him so I gave up on any actions that may be done to correct the situation. I ran into this Big John yesterday, he was chasing a new woman in town accusing her of setting Jesse James free.”
“Oh really?” I perked with interest.
“She, by the way, is an attorney.”
“Oooh, you mean Hannah. I’ve met her. Strange woman.”
“And another man who claims to be the DA now for this region.”
“Jim…”
“Yes.”
“How does John think Hannah let Jesse out? Hannah wouldn’t have access to a key.”
“This Jim has asked me to intervene in a investigation.”
“Oh really. Could’ve asked me,” I muttered.
“On behalf of the Federal Government. I don’t know the woman but I too question the probability of her letting a man out of a jail cell.”
“Just doesn’t make a lot of sense,” I nodded.
“Listening to this Big John, his words and comments seem to be all over the place...none seems to fit together.”
“I got the same impression. He said he once used to be outlaw... And the only reason he became law was so he could shoot and not get in trouble for it,” Leu shook his head.
Doesn’t really leave me with a warm and safe feeling.”
“He passed this way this morning. He stopped here and was asking questions about the woman and where she was. I saw him take his badge off and take off toward the Indian village. I have been here sitting and I’ve not seen him come back up.”
Cannalilly walked over then and we talked about Big John. She looked at us both and said, “I don’t know if this pertains but the telegraph cable is cut at the trading post.”
“What?” I blinked.
“Well this is not good,” Leu agreed.
“The line is dead,” she clarified.
“We need to find John,” I looked over at Leu with worry.
“It’s hard to say if its the Indians or outlaws,” he pointed out.
“Was there more or should I go with Canallilly?” I asked her.
“I think maybe you should go along with her,” Leu said. “No idea who is behind all this.”
“Oh, I have some idea,” I muttered. “We’ll be in touch if there’s more,” I promised Leu and went after Canna.
We walked over to the trading post and she gave me a lantern since I wasn’t a fan of small, dark places. She showed me around the area and we took the path towards Silver Plume, looking for anyone suspicious hanging around. We found Sam and Downy in the saloon in Georgetown and I introduced Canna to them. Canna told them that the telegraph in Bear River had been cut. I told Sam that John went over there looking for Hannah because apparently he’d let Jesse out of jail. I told Sam about John saying the only reason he became a lawman was because he could shoot his guns without getting in trouble.
“I heard Jesse escaped and the sheriff’s office was blown to pieces,” Sam commented.
“And now he’s suspiciously over in Wyoming looking for a lawyer he claims to let Jesse out of jail
and then the wire is mysteriously cut?” I looked at Sam. “Seems kind of conspicuous don’t it?”
“Well connections seem to be there but we must follow clues to their finality never assume.”
“Might have been ab angry squirrel that ate the line,” Canna suggested.
“I’m just sayin’… seems awfully suspicious.”
“Well I suppose the line should be inspected first to see if indeed it was cut, or chewed through,” Sam said.
Canna headed out and Josey came into the saloon then, talking with the others. We talked casually and he muttered he hadn’t shot his guns in too long.
“I’m sure someday we will get some half decent law man with a good shooting arm that you can play with,” Sam told him. “Not that the law isn’t good… but shooters they are not.”
A couple of hours later I saw a man standing by the stables and went over to him. “Howdy Sir,” I greeted him. “New in town?”
“Fairly. I got posted here while back,” he nodded his head.
“Name’s Trin Paige. I’m a Pinkerton Agent here in town.”
“Nice to meet. Name’s Torok. Chet Torok. I am the marshal in these parts.”
“I heard there was a new marshal in town. Was waitin’ to meet him. Glad to finally do so,” I nodded.
“Pleasure’s mine,” he said with a smile. “You been living here for sometime?”
“Over a month now actually. Things pretty quiet today?”
“It’s been good so far. Hopefully it stays that way, but once people start getting drunk, you never know.”
“Thing’s have been kind of busy lately. Just need to get some of these things solved.”
“Yes, have no tolerance for shoot-ups in the streets.”
“Gives us time to enjoy the quiet and actually get to know each other at least, hm? What do you say to a drink, Marshal?” I offered.
“Sounds good. Lil whiskey never hurt anyone.”
We walked to the saloon and got some drinks. “So what do you normally do on your free time here?”
“Free time? What’s that?” I chuckled. “I spend more time in the saloon, writin’… So where ya from, Chet?”
“Something I used to have,” he laughed. “Me, I am from all over but mostly New Orleans… but spent last year or so in Tombstone as a barber. And yourself?”
“I’m from Canada originally but then moved to Texas... Then everywhere and anywhere since then.” I looked outside and saw a man out the window but then looked back to Chet.
“I was born in Canada and spent some time in the Yukon,” Chet said, looking towards the window.
“Everything okay?”
“Some man out the window... He was... right there…” I looked from him to the window.
“Hmm, might be looking for a drink,” he said and tapped his gun just in case.
“So Yukon eh? What brought you down here?”
“I did a bit of trapping and got tired of the cold so took up barbering in Tombstone and tooth pulling before joined marshals.”
“I agree it’s cold up there. Never went out to Tombstone.”
“Nice town but dusty,” he said with a laugh. “And to many people get their teeth knocked out in saloon so teeth pulling not gonna make one rich.”
I saw the man at the door and said, “He’s out there again.”
“I’ll go take a look,” Chet stood to look out the window.
“Careful, Chet. There he is!” I pointed out the window.
“Might be just a drunk.”
“There’s something... familiar…” I said as I looked closer at the man through the window. He grinned at me and then walked away.
Chet walked back inside and said, “He took off and had no reason to stop him… but if he comes back I reckon I’ll be talking with him. There was a shooting last night but one of the suspects in jail and other in the ground.”
“Jesse?” I asked.
“Believe that’s the name.”
“John let him out and blamed it on Hannah. Need to talk to John about that too.”
“The deputy let him out?”
“That’s what I hear. When I was talkin to him yesterday he said the only reason he became a lawman was so he could shoot without getting in trouble.”
“Why that no good rattlesnake…” Chet muttered. “Why would he let a man wanted out of jail? Unless…”
“Unless he knew the man. Was working with him.”
“Yeah. Looks like I’ll be getting new guest to my jail.”
“And then today over in Wyoming I heard he ran out there looking for Hannah and then suddenly there’s a telegraph wire cut at the trading post. Tell me that’s not a coincidence.”
“I think I’ll be issuing a warrang for him today.”
“There’s no proof of any of this, Chet. This is all just what I’ve overheard. Don’t do a warrant until we have enough to hold him in court.”
“Yeah, I’ll need be talking with him, but if he released a prisoner he under arrest. Have you seen John around today?” he asked. “I was planning on having a chat with him on treating prisoners with respect.”
“Not today,” I shook my head. “I’m gonna head home and make some dinner. Great to meet you though, Chet.” I said goodbye and headed home.
***
This evening I walked into the saloon and greeted the group outside. Sugar said that the boys were playing out in the street with blanks in their guns and we talked about Duke becoming the new sheriff. We talked about him staying overnight at my place and how there was something about him. But then, my luck with men hadn’t been all that great. I told him about Dutch getting shot in Cripple Creek and how there’d been no word or anything about how he was doing.
I walked around outside and went over to the stables where there was a man looking around suspiciously. We talked about the horses and he said his name was Stacks. I askedd him if he was looking for a horse and he said that he wanted to put an offer on one of the horses and I told her to talk to Suzy.
I walked down the street and talked with Chet about the funeral for Jesse’s brother who died last night. I told him I wouldn’t be going to the funeral since Icca would be there. Chet went off to talk to Slacks and he got upset at us accusing him of doing something and I went to my office.
“TRIN!” Icca suddenly shouted after a while. I jumped, swearing under my breath, and sat in my seat defiantly. Sugar walked over to the office then and opened the door.
“Hey Trin. Iccy was lookin’ for you.”
“I heard the shout. He knows where to find me. What does he want?”
“Not sure. Think there is a funeral at eight.”
“He’s ignorant if he thinks I’m gonna make an appearance.”
“What is the history there, with Bloody Bill?”
“For the man who is a brother of someone who threatened my boss and his family’s life?”
“Ooh I missed all that.”
“Not to mention that Jesse came into the saloon and Suzy and I hid behind the curtain.”
“I don’t think I knew Bloody Bill, maybe my lucky day.”
“Be thankful for that.”
Icca walked over the office and said through the window, “Trin.”
“Sugar, please tell Icca that anything he has to say he can say through you,” I said to her.
“Sure, I’ll tell him,” Sugar nodded and walked outside. They talked and I decided to walk outside, curious at their conversation.
“What’s up with the Bloody Bill funeral?” Sugar was asking him.
“Do you really want to get involved?” CI asked.
“Heck I am not sure but I will tell her whatever it is ya need.”
“I rather talk to her.”
“Well, I’ll stand by ifn she wants to talk,” Sugar said and I walked over to her. “Well I tried,” she said to me.
“Hey there Trin,” Icca greeted me.
“Sugar, please tell Icca that if I speak with him I’ll get arrested as it’s against our restraining order.”
“Thanks Sugar. I was wondering,” Icca said.
“Oh a restraining order… Ya hear that, Iccy?” Sugar asked. “So tell me and then I guess it’s not in violation.”
“I never knew there as a restraining order. I was never served,” Icca protested.
“Tell him that TJ said we weren’t supposed to talk until the trial for him shooting me over in Wyoming,” I looked at Sugar.
“Anyway… Can you ask her if I could have the lead back that I wasted shooting her with please?”
Icca said to Sugar and I coughed.
“Trin, he wants the lead back, for whatever that means,” Sugar said to me and Icca laughed.
“Tell him he ain’t gettin nothin from me,” I told her. “Aside from perhaps some time behind bars.”
“Sorry Icca,” she said to him and he walked away. “Well a lot of good I was.”
“Sugar you were a big help,” I shuddered in fear and stood to hug her. “Thank you so much.”
“Sure, guess you better check on that service for the restraining order.”
“I doubt there’ll be a trial even, with TJ as judge… Gives me a good excuse not to talk to him though,” I winked at her.
“Oh is that from the attack on the indians? I think TJ was waiting for you to get back to set a trial.”
“I went out to save the chief after he’d been shot down and Icca shot me while I was out there,” I nodded. “I told him we should’ve done it before I left for Cripple Creek. I came back to give him a second chance but nothing happened so I left for CC for a few days anyway. It’s pointless, Sugar. There’s so many trials that need to happen I feel like I’m talkin’ to a brick wall.”
“Oh I see. Well, maybe we’ll get this one done.”
“I need Chet to get back... or Duke... I don’t feel comfortable without a lawman around me. And I know you gotta get to the funeral probably.”
“Gosh, I’m at a loss for words.”
“Why?”
“Chet’s been around, hasn’t he?”
“He was just here but had to take care of somethin’ at the office I guess.”
“Oh ok.. so you ok here??”
“If I go in there and lock the door I guess I will be. Thanks for helping me here, Sugar. I owe you.”
“Sure darlin’. I wasn’t gonna leave ya alone with him.”
“I appreciate that,” I nodded. “He always did give me the creeps but since he proved he’s not afraid of shooting me… I don’t trust him.”
“Oh heck, neither would I.”
We said goodbye and Sugar headed out of the office. Chet came into the office and I told him about Icca coming by. I told him my history with Icca, how he’d been hanging out with Bill’s gang and how I never really was sure of him even arranging Sayler’s funeral, and about the shooting in Wyoming and how I saw him so smug in the saloon because he knew we couldn’t touch him. Chet got upset that Icca had shot me and hadn’t been arrested for it yet. We decided to go to the funeral parlor and arrest him because we knew he’d be there doing the funeral for Bill.
“Iccabod Zarco?” Chet walked into the funeral home and said.
“Hello. It’s in the chapel, the service,” Icca said to Chet.
“You’re under arrest for the attempted murder of the lady here.”
I swallowed hard, waiting to see Icca’s reaction. The man standing there looked over at Chet with surprise. I wondered if he was Jesse, Bill’s brother.
“I believe that can’t be done, sir. I was already arrested for it. I can’t be arrested twice.”
“Ask him how long he spent behind bars, Chet,” I coughed.
“Why don’t you arrest her for attempted murder on me? She never got arrested.”
“When the hell did I attempt to kill him?” I blinked. I never shot my gun once.”
“You resisting arrest?” Chet asked. “Or will you come along whiles you still can of your own two feet?”
“No,” Icca said. “I’ve already been arrested for the crime and did my time. And I am in the middle of a funeral.”
“When were you already arrested for that?” I looked at Icca. “I was never told you were arrested. I’d remember if you were behind bars,” I looked from Chet to Sugar.
“So why weren’t you arrested for attempted murder on me?” Icca asked me.
“No, you are in the middle of coming with me to jail,” Chet put his hands on his guns.
“When I didn’t shoot at you? I’ve never pulled my trigger on you once,” I looked at him with unbelief.
“I am working.”
“So are we.”
“Then I want her under arrest for getting me arrested twice,” he said and I rolled my eyes. “It’s cause she knows you, huh?”
“You’re under arrest now,” Chet ordered. “Turn around or I’ll turn you around.”
“Chet, hold on,” I put a hand on his arm, second guessing myself.
“I don’t reckon I’ll allow the man who is taking care of my brother to be arrested,” the man said then and I realized he was indeed Bill’s brother Jesse.
“I want a lawyer. Now. And Trin…” Icca looked me hard in the eyes.
“Chet stop. Let’s just let it go,” I said. “He isn’t worth it. None of them are.”
“You just interfered with my work,” Icca said as Jesse pointed her gun at Chet. “And this would be considered a false arrest”
“You feelin yer oats sonny?” Jesse asked Chet.
“When were you arrested? You never answered my question.” I asked Icca. “Who arrested you?”
“No. Leave me to my work,” Icca said.
“Tell me who arrested you and we’ll leave.”
“Iccabod, I got you for aiding a known criminal fugitive from justice. Luckily for him I busy with you and can’t go after him,” Chet said.
“I don’t have to answer your question,” Icca said. I am trying to bury his brother.”
“The brother of a man who threatened my boss and his family,” I glared at Jesse.
“That was shot yesterday. Have you no honor, man? I know she doesn’t,” Icca said.
“I am tryin to lay my only family member to rest. You got exactly three seconds to decide if you will leave now in peace or in a minute in pieces,” Jesse threatened, pulling back his hammers.
I pulled Chet’s arm as Icca said, “No. Leave!”
“Come on. This was a bad idea,” I told Chet.
“3… 2…” James started counting down as Chet started to move closer to Icca and tried to reach for him, but he moved out of the way.
“Put the guns away, Jesse. We’re going,” I insisted and tried to pull Chet’s arm.
“You are going to hell, very soon,” Icca threatened. “The mayor will hear about this.”
“Chet come on, let’s go,” I insisted.
“This is more than disrespectful,” Jesse looked at me, “And I won’t stand it. Best you be gettin’ on and take yer lap puppy with ya.”
Chet pulled his gun and aimed it. “Okay, now you muttering threats. You’re under arrest, Jesse. Leave, I trust you to turn yourself in in one hour.”
“The way you treated my boss was disrespectful,” I told Jesse. “Unlock the door, Icca. We’re going.”
“It’s all over but the cryin’ now,” Jesse said and started firing.
I ran out of the funeral parlor under gunfire and covered my head, swearing under my breath. Icca threw Chet out of the funeral parlor and said, “And he can blame you, Trin! I’m talkin’ to the mayor tomorrow! And Trin, you’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”
“So will you,” I said angrily to him.
“Don’t ever disrespect my house or work again,” Icca threatened. “Die in hell!”
Sugar and I got Chet and myself to the clinic and Sugar worked on healing him. “Sugar, you know anything about him being arrested before?” I asked.
“Well, Iccy don’t come easy,” she said.
“You will be asked to testify at trial, ma’am. Now can you for sure say Iccabod shot me?” Chet asked.
“I never remembered him being in a cell.” I looked over at Chet and said, “The door was closed and I heard the shot. I didn’t see it,” I sighed.
As Sugar worked on healing Chet’s wound, I started to cry, feeling completely responsible. I wished we’d never walked into that funeral parlour. I knew we should have waited but now they would tear me apart.
“He’ll be okay, Trin,” Sugar said about Chet’s wound.
“He might be,” I sighed, “But I might as well consider myself done for.”
Sugar asked me to keep talking to Chet as she worked on his wound and I said, “Chet... I didn’t even see him shoot you. How are we going to take him to trial? I don’t remember him being arrested.”
Chet fell asleep on the table and then he woke up after Sugar was done healing him. He insisted that he was fine and he had Icca where he wanted him. He insisted that I stay with him at his place in order to keep me safer. I eyed the piano in the corner and asked him if I could play while he went to get something for us to eat. I started to play classical music but the tears started to fall.
Chet walked out and complimented my playing but as I talked he could sense the sadness. “Now you sound sad… How can I cheer you up?”
“I just... We were so close... He’s been going after me for so long, Chet and I thought…”
“Now look, I can see him chasing you. He is not blind, but you don’t need to be afraid. He is going to be in jail and maybe hung.”
“I’ve been promised that before, Chet,” I sighed and got up from the piano to join him on the couch. He’d made some soup and I looked at the bowls, not feeling like I could eat anything. “Perhaps I should call it a night.”
“You sleep on the bed tonight,” he insisted.
“Chet…” I stopped in front of him and wrapped my arms around him, holding him tightly. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“And I’ll be right here. You have nothing to be afraid of,” he said, holding me close. “You’re very welcome.”
“Your arm gonna be okay?” I asked, stepping back after a while.
“Hardly hurts anymore,” he smiled and we said goodnight.
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