January 23, 1870

Georgetown. 

This morning I walked into the saloon and met a woman named Sasha. I gave her the tour around town and showed her the places that would be best not to go in alone, like Silver Plume. I showed her the entrance to the City of Mines and told her about how it was easy to get lost there and how it connected us to Bear River, Wyoming, where the Cherokee lived. I gave her a copy of the latest newspaper so she could read about the latest events in town. She was grateful for the tour and thanked me for showing her around. 

We stopped in the saloon and had a drink while we continued to talk about how she was from Tombstone and had to come here because she’d gotten shot in a random gunfight that almost killed her. We talked about our pasts and how if we kept running our past would never follow us. I knew that my past had followed me right to my doorstep and  didn’t comment on it. She reminded me a lot of myself when I’d first moved to Colorado. 

Sasha went up on stage and started to dance, since that’s what she did for a living, and I watched her while I played piano to give her some music to dance to. We talked about our pasts and where we had come from. 

My dog came into the saloon and bit my hand but I reminded him that I was his friend. I calmed him down as he looked at me with a confused look. I fed him some food and he gnawed it down happily. Sasha seemed to hate animals because she’d always had bad things from them. After a while I headed to the office to get some work done. 

Wyoming. 

I walked over to the Washington’s house and found both of them sitting on the front porch. They were doing well and I said I had nothing to report but that they were planning to build a bigger saloon soon. I told them that I’d been over to the village a couple of times and that it was encouraging how things were progressing. 

“Actually there is the talk of war still lingering,” Leu said then. “Justice was never served to those who attacked them.” 

“When I spoke with Ahawi last... She seemed to believe that we would try to coordinate our efforts against the outlaws instead of each other. Icca, Anna, and Julia… A US Marshal and myself went over to try to arrest Icca for that... for shooting me out here…” 

“Well I got word that the war chief is not happy and he is the one that speaks of raids to get even.” 

“I need to speak with Adahy. Soon,” I sighed. 

“I think once you bring the offenders to justice then and only then will there be true peace between the people.” 

“Well we tried,” I sighed. “We cannot do it alone though. We need to outnumber them and we just don’t have the manpower right now.” 

“Well then maybe some wanted dead or alive posters with a coin reward may help the process.” 

“We have them all over town, Leu,” I nodded. 

“I have not seen any.” 

“Look at the saloon wall, the sheriff’s office wall outside…” I told him and looked over at Mrs. Leu, “And how are you doing? You’re keeping busy while Leu is so occupied with all this war talk?” 

“Well I asked the US Army to intervene but they say its a domestic matter. Individuals started the troubles and its up to the town to correct it,” Leu said. 

“I am doing fine here ..and my husband and I both talk about the war and whats going on,” Mrs. Leu said. 

“I mean while he is out discussing things with the Natives... What do you keep busy with?” I asked her. 

“And that is what brings it all to the point where the Cherokee want to go to war, because the town is failing in its responsibility to bring these individuals to justice instead of harboring them,” Leu said. 

“Well I go with my husband,” Mrs. Leu said. 

I sighed at Leu’s words and said, “With only one or two deputies, one of whom should barely count, and one marshal and a sheriff... It’s hard to go against so many of them on our own. Not to mention, it’s not up to the local law in this situation. They don’t have jurisdiction out here.” 

“But it is, it’s the local outlaws causing the issues.” 

“But they’re doing it on land that is out of local law’s jurisdiction,” I shook my head. “That attack on the chief... and me... out here. That lays under the responsibility of the U.S. Marshals and the law out here, of which there is none.” 

“But again the town harbors them.” 

“Here’s only one U.S. Marshal and he tried to take Icca down but got shot in the process,” I looked down, still feeling guilty.

“Well if you run a campaign to bring him in dead or alive I bet you will find some bounty hunter that can handle the job.” 

“You have anyone in mind?” I looked at him. 

“As a representative of the US Government I cannot say.” 

“Well until we find a person willing to do that our hands are kind of tied,” I sighed. 

“And that will continue to bring the threat of war,” he said and I leaned my chin on my knee, looking down as he continued. “Again the key to fixing this is bringing the guilty to justice.” 

“And again the key is to find people willing to help us do that.” 

“That is what the Chief’s want and will accept in trade.” 

“Then perhaps the chief can offer us some manpower in assistance.” 

“No, the Federal Government forbids them from leaving the reservation and engaging in any fighting. If they do they are in violation of their treaty.” 

“Well if they go to war isn’t that a violation of that treaty?” 

“Yes, and I can’t stop them. But remember they will kill everyone and burn the town down as they have in the past.” 

“I don’t know what to do anymore, Leu,” I shook my head. “Other than finding a bounty hunter to solve our problem and get these guys down… I’m out of solutions.” 

“One breath the whites wants them on reservations and have their guns taken, the next they want them to fight their cause and when things go wrong blame them or wonder why all the people and towns get burned. The government does not want to commit a regiment here to deal with a local issue that the law and town should be dealing with.” 

I looked from Leu to his wife then and suddenly noticed she was twice the size than when I saw her last. I looked between them with surprise. 

“He she is heavy with our child,” he smiled then. 

“Well that is bright news in all the darkness! Congratulations to you both!” I smiled widely. 

“Well thank you Miss Trin,” Mrs. Leu blushed. 

“We thought everyone knew by now, even the Cherokee know, they have offered to help when the time comes,” Leu said .

“That is great news,” I smiled. 

“Yes!! Glad I have them near by to help if needed,” Mrs. Leu said. 

“And such good help. Something the Natives know how to do is heal, and heal well,” I nodded, still in pain from the bear attack the other night. 

“Yes they are good that way,” Leu nodded. 

“Yes cherokee are very good ..when it comes to helping to heal and delivering baby’s,” Mrs. Leu said. 

“If only we could get this situation fixed things could be so much better,” Leu said. 

“I was attacked by a bear in the saloon the other night, with Chet... The natives came all that way to heal us and brought me home safely,” I told them. 

“They are trying to show goodwill to all,” Leu said. 

“I came and spoke with Leotie yesterday. We have had productive conversations,” I nodded. 

“I don’t know her. Have you spoke to the Chief recently?” 

“Not since he…” I looked down, not sure I should tell them. 

“Well?” Leu raised his eyebrows. 

“He came to the town a couple of weeks ago and asked where Icca lived and worked,” I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn’t keep it inside forever. “I was hesitant at first and tried to convince him not to go to war…  He told me to tell him or he would take me captive and lure the paleface out to look for me while they went to Icca’s building and took revenge on him.” 

“Well it continues to remain on the edge Revenge? More like justice would you not say?” 

I pulled both knees up under my chin and said, “So I told him and tried to convince him not to go against the whole town. He said he would spare my life then but then ran off to the village.” 

“Well we have spoke of this and you know what the solution is now.” 

“Doesn’t make me not trust him any less,” I nodded. “And now Adahy is war chief, the man who was appointed as my scout…” 

“I think once Icca is presented to the chief things will change.” 

I wondered if that would ever happen and eventually sighed. “Everyone’s been saying I need to reconcile with the chief. That I need to make the first move.” 

“Yes I would say so. You know the Indians and their culture has a lot of honor. When you offend a Chief or elder that in their culture is considered a crime.” 

“I should go down there now and see if the chief is there. I didn’t offend anyone though, Leu. He was the one who…” 

“Indians think differently.” 

I stood hesitantly and said, “I need to do this now, before I lose confidence to.” 

“He can be a fair man.” 

“Thank you for the talk,” I said to both of them. 

“You take care now,” he nodded and I walked out of the house towards the village nervously. 

I called out, saying that I was unarmed. Little Rock came over holding a baby. He said that he found the baby next to his mother who was dead. I asked if Chief was there but he wasn’t. I told him I would come back another time. He asked if I was feeling okay and I said I was getting better. He promised that they’d taken care of the bear and I was glad to hear it. I thanked him for his help that night and told him I hadn’t seen Chet since. 

I saw smoke coming from the trading post then and sighed. When he asked what was wrong, I told him, “Something coming from over in the trading post... A smoke signal... Cannallilly’s SOS notice. She needs help. Get that baby inside, Little Rock. It’s not safe out here.” I heard gunshots and swore. “Go, Little Rock. Go inside now!” 

“Oh dear you better hurry to her. I will go inside.” 

I ran to the top of my mountain with my gun drawn, trying to look around. I hid behind a tree and looked around for Canna. I swallowed hard, unsure if I should be even facing Icca alone and decided against it. I ran back to the village to call for help but no one came. I ran back to the direction where the smoke signal came from and called out for Canna, knocking on the door. “Cannalilly? Are you in there?” I looked up to the path to the mines, wondering if that was where Icca went. 

“Anyone! Help!” Canna yelled for help and I ran over to the house where she was calling from. I banged down the door and ran inside, holstering my gun and leaning down. 

“Cannalilly! Are you okay?” 

“You gotta help me…” 

“Of course you’re not okay…” 

“I got a graze wound on my arm.” 

I helped her up onto the bed and there was a knock on the door. Ahawi announced her presence and I went to let her in as Canna lay down. “I saw her smoke signal and came running…” I told Ahawi. 

“Then heard gunshots.” 

“I think the bullet went clan through my arm. There’s lots of blood,” Canna said. 

“Are you alright?” Ahawi looked at her. “Please lay down I will help you.” 

“Who was it, Cannalilly?” I asked. 

“We had no warriors in the village,” Ahawi said and walked over with her medicine pouch. I paced back and forth, knowing I should’ve come sooner, but I’d been all alone. 

“I got off a couple good shots too Trin It slowed him down some,” Canna told me.

“Canna please… Who?” I looked at her with worry. 

“Mr. Iccabod Zarko,” Canna said. 

“Damn it,” I swore. Which way did he go?” 

“He is man who injured chief!” Ahawi exclaimed. 

“And shot me,” I told her. 

“Up into the mine. I want pay back,” Canna insisted. 

“I can’t go after him alone,” I looked at Ahawi and saw the bear outside, cringing as I held my stomach and feeling the pain. “Why did he shoot you?” I asked Canna. 

“As soon as I am bandaged I want to come too. I’m tired of his games. He uses me for target practice regularly,” she said. 

“Why?” I asked. 

“Bullet grazed you, you are lucky,” Ahawi said to Canna. 

“We get drunk on Absythe and then he thinks I am a ghost and shoots at me, The the Washingtons let me know he was an outlaw here... I thought I could take him,” she said and I rolled my eyes. 

“You will heal,” Ahawi promised. 

“Screw him, I’m going out to find him,” I drew my gun, anxious to shoot Icca down as Ahawi gave Canna instructions for how to heal her wound. 

“The mines, you said?” I asked her. 

“Yeah, I lost sight of him when I hit the dirt, he dragged me back here.” 

“You stay here. You’re not going anywhere,” I told Canna as she got up to grab her gun but then fell back down. “If I take a little opium I wont feel a thing.” 

“Fine, take the opium then let’s go,” I sighed, knowing that I couldn’t stop her as Ahawi went out to take care of the bear and headed back to the village. 

“It is ironic..I think Iccabod gave me this opium too…” 

“Wouldn’t doubt it,” I chuckled. 

We walked outside together and I was nervous around the bear but Ahawi insisted that he was peaceful. I showed Ahawi what her animal did to me on my stomach and she said he didn’t like palefaces. 

“Like father like…” I coughed and then looked down, saying to Canna, “We were going to go fight Icca.” 

“Yes, let’s give him some nightmares!” 

“Let’s do this Trin!” Canna said as we walked up the hills with our guns drawn. 

Manipi joined us and we continued to look for Icca. Canna was high on the opium but continued to call threats against Icca, but we never found him again. 

Georgetown. 

I walked into town with Manipi close behind and we ran into Flutter, who’d also joined us. We took a walk and the dogs continued to play with each other as we explored. 

***

I was working in the office this evening when Chet walked inside. I jumped to greet him and he kissed me as I hugged him tight. “Hello pretty lady. How you doing? Everything okay?” he asked as I winced a bit from the pain. 

“Evreything’s great now.” 

“Good. Any bears or undertakers?” 

“Both actually,” I nodded and we sat down at the desk. I told him about my day with the Washington’s and then about going to rescue Canna from the gunshot wound from Icca. 

“Chet... There’s something I just thought of that I want to suggest to you… I know someone that might be able to help us.” 

“A good shot, I hope.” 

“I haven’t witnessed it myself, but he promised that he would be able to help if I asked for it… I don’t know if you’ve met a man named Vito?” 

“That what need, that vermin swinging,” he sneered. “Italian fellow?” he asked and I nodded. “Yes I have.” 

“We could see if he’s willing to meet with us,” I traced his hand with my finger, thinking. 

“Sounds like a plan…” 

“If we could get him to take care of Icca somehow... Either bring him to us or to the tribe... They’d see that we were serious about getting our man.” 

“I want him swinging.” 

“You and me both,” I squeezed his hand. “You know my history with Icca better than anyone, hon.” I looked outside and put a hand on Chet’s wrist. “Vito’s right outside.” 

“Should call him in.” 

“It’s time. Let’s get this in motion before it’s too late,” I said. “I’ll let you do the talking.” 

I called Vito in and he walked into the office with a woman I didn’t know. He introduced his sister Narcisa and they took a seat at the table. 

“Like to offer you a job,” Chet said to Vito when we were comfortable. “I wanna deputize you to help bring a low life to justice. Kind of low life that shoots woman n coward enough to shoot em the back.”

“Ahh.... It would seem that Miss Paige has informed you of my offer to assist.” 

“Shoot women?” Narcisa looked in puzzlement at Vito. 

“Someone was shooting women and they want them ‘dealt with’,” Vito looked at her. 

“Yeah she has,” Chet nodded, then looked at Narcisa. “This man is yeller. He shoots woman in back he hides out known outlaws town needs his kind swinging.” 

“Now marshal, this wouldn’t be a personal matter now would it?” Vito looked at him. 

“Yeah, it’s personal. I take every coward who would should a woman personal, let alone in the back.” 

“You have certain rules you follow as a lawman, do you not?” 

“Yes we do. He is already wanted for resisting arrest, harbouring escaped fugitive, and attempted murder.” 

“Ever been held back by ‘jurisdiction’ or the ‘system’?” 

“That’s what we need you for," I stepped in. 

“I don’t look at it as held back. Laws are here for a reason,” Chet said. I believe everyone deserves a fair trial, be he white chinaman, coloured… But they need accept it themselves. He had his chance to be brought in peacefully. Instead, he had his outlaw friend shoot me. Now if he gets hurt in process, so be it.” 

“The law has certain ‘limits’ for getting justice. If you want me to continue, just set that badge down on the table for a minute and we can talk as two men who just want to get this resolved.” 

“I already say I don’t care how he is brought I he is wanted… Dead or aliver I just want himbrought in… and brought in like a man, not shot in the back.” 

“I can help you bring him to justice, but I don’t operate under the badge,” Vito said. I chuckled, knowing that was going to be his answer. 

“Like I said, he is a wanted man and there’s a call out for him.” 

I looked between them, feeling tired. “Guys, I think I’ll let you two talk this out. I need to get some rest.” 

“Give me what information you have, and I’ll help resolve your ‘problem’. I actually need to get a place for my sister and I tonight.” 

Chet gave the wanted poster to Vito and I said goodnight to them all as I headed out of the office for bed.