Georgetown.
This afternoon I walked into the saloon where Vic was spinning the records. I went over to greet Chet and kissed him, happy to see him. We danced and he wished me a happy birthday. I told him that my family had surprised me by coming to visit from Canada. We talked about me singing at the saloon tomorrow and I was excited about the opportunity.
I talked with everyone about current events going on in Georgetown and Amiville, and how Kitty was indeed still alive. I told them about the fact that Sayler might be alive still. I desperately still wanted more information but no one knew much for sure. We talked about the newspaper and how I would pay Chas for getting information for me. I told them about the conversation with the Cherokee and how we hoped things were better now.
Mel talked about her and Vic’s wedding and someone brought a cake in. We had a great time celebrating everything and talking with each other. It was so good to have all my friends around me on my birthday.
I met a couple named John and Annalou Hawkins and they talked about how they were hoping to find someone who could help get something back that belonged to them. I told them I was a Pinkerton Agent and we headed to the office to discuss the matter more privately.
When we’d taken a seat I said, “Sorry to rush us out of the saloon, but when there’s something pressing like this brought up I don’t like to talk about it in a crowd.”
“Of course ma’am. Go ahead honey,” John told his wife.
“I understand,” Anna smiled. “Well let me make this as brief as possible,” she said and I got out my notebook to take notes. “My Grandpa Thomas, he had claim that mine just outside of town. I know you know which one.”
“I like that dear… She writes things down,” John nudged his wife and looked at me.
“It’s on the other side of the Setan Road mountain,” Anna went on. “You probably think it belongs to someone around here… But the deed was stolen back 20 years ago.”
“Don’t know much about the mines yet to be honest. Just came to town a couple months ago but my boss would know better.”
“Pennybacker Mine.”
“Was it?” I raised an eyebrow.
“But you may know it as something else now. It’s been in our family for over 50 years. My grandpa went out east for the funeral of his cousin and when he came home the safe had been blown open and the deed was gone. Wake up John,” Anna nudged her husband and I chuckled. “Sorry ma’am...he falls asleep easy when he sits still too long.”
“You know it was a long ride…. Hush now,” John muttered.
“I know darlin’,” Anna smiled. “Anyway, we think it was a member of the Salado Gang headed up by Johnnie Smithwick.”
“Oh it’s alright. I’m just taking in the story. Let me make sure I’m following so far. Your grandfather Thomas had claimed the Pennybacker Mine and some twenty years ago the deed was stolen while he went out to the funeral of his cousin?” I looked between them.
“Yes ma’am you got the fact right,” she nodded.
“Carry on,” I said.
“We have been trying to get out here from Virginy to track these baduns. It’s hard coming up with this much money without my inheritance. Do you know this gang I speak about?”
I tried to think if I’d heard of the Salado gang but it didn’t ring any bells. “Sorry Ma’am. I’ve dealt with a lot of gangs but not that one.”
“I hear they come up from Texas, isn’t that right John?”
“From San Antonio, I believe,” John nodded.
“And that’s a shame, I have a lot of good kin from San Antone,” Anna said.
“I lived in Texas for a year or so briefly before coming to the West... Didn’t get out much back then though,” I nodded.
“Myself, I have never had the pleasure of seeing Texas,” Anna said.
“I lived in Presidio, Texas.”
“That’s where some of the baddest outlaws come from I heard,” Anna said.
“Well ma’am I wasn’t much into the law enforcement thing then... I stayed home or went to church,” I said.
“A Church goin’ girl.....I knew she had a God Fearin’ face,” Anna smiled.
“God fearing people we is, amen,” John smiled.
“Now I know I can trust her. Did you bring the reward money?”
“I did!” John said.
“John Honey....you always are lookin’ after me ain’t ya?”
“Yes, sweetheart,” John smiled at her.
“Can I ask a couple of questions?” I looked between them.
“Yes ma’am....we are open books.”
“Your grandfather Thomas... You mentioned inheritance money... Is he still alive or has he passed on already?”
“God rest his precious soul....he died right after the claim paper were taken. Heart attack they said,” Anna said.
“Oh my… I am sorry to hear that.”
“He helped raise me and I never got to tell him Goodbye.”
“I have to ask... Did the doctors confirm that it was a heart attack that made him meet his end?” I looked at her with compassion.
“Well....ma’am, you know how stories go when told thru bunches of kinfolk.”
“I sure do. Who was the undertaker who took care of your grandfathers’ affairs back then? Would he still be reachable?”
“I have always had a feelin in my gut that he was murdered. NO ma’am..”
“You read my mind, ma’am,” I nodded.
“I was a youngun back then.”
“There has to be a way to dig up those reports on his death.. Perhaps from the hospital’s files somehow…" I said. “Back in Texas perhaps.”
“I think he came home and caught ’em in the act. That’s what I think.”
“It’s possible... Or they could have murdered him once he returned from his cousin’s funeral and discovered who really stole the deed. Can I ask... why do you suspect this gang specifically?”
“But Granny had already succumbed from usin’ too much Laudinum. We heard that a ranch hand who worked for my Grandpappy was an Ex gang member. Supposedly he had gone the righteous path, but my Uncle never believed it.”
Ah ha, I thought to myself.
“John honey....do you remember that boy’s name?” Anna asked.
“They Called him the ‘Rock’. Rocksman? Yeah, that’s it. The Rocksman.”
“My family always thought he was a bad seed,” Anna said. “But Grandpappy had a heart of gold and tried to give the boy a second chance.”
“He’s rotten to the core, fur sure!!” John put in.
“How old would you say this ranch hand would be now?”
“In his forties.”
“Yep you are right....I’d say early. Some say his folks are from Albuquerque,” Anna said. “My Granny had a locket, that Grandpappy gave her and it was missing too.”
“Any idea where I could find this ranch hand now?” I asked.
“My Uncle said ‘find that locket and you’ll find the man who stole those papers’.”
“A locket eh? With pictures inside of her and her husband?”
“Her and him on one side, and me on the other. I was the only grandchild they ever had.”
“How about your parents? Where are they?”
“Had a beautiful scrolled S on the front for Smithson.”
“God Rest there souls, they’ve passed..” he swallowed hard. “By Indian.”
“I was just two,” Anna said.
“I am sorry to hear that, Ma’am.”
“I was sent out east to Virginy to go to a proper school. That’s where I learned to become a lady,” Anna said.
“Where’s this Rockman guy now?” I asked them.
“Well if we’all knew, we wouldn’t be needing your help,” John smiled.
“True enough,” I chuckled.
“I hear in the wind that he settled with some Saloon Girl…” she glanced at me. “Not that I have anythin’ against Saloon girls mind you… Stories say somewhere up in these parts.”
“Well that’s good ’cause I used to be one,” I chuckled.
“Ma’am, I have thought of that myself a time or two. Times have been hard for John and Me.”
“I understand,” I nodded.
“But he has always managed to find a way to keep food on our table.”
“We could use some more lawmen around here... as well as saloon workers and hopefully soon we’ll have a bigger hotel,” I gave John a look.
“Well I am a lady but I am not afraid of hard work and don’t get offended easily,” Anna said.
“I have carpentry skills...if’n that would help…” John said.
“Could always help Velvet with her cafe next door to my newspaper office if you’re interested in that,” I said.
“I would be happy to help. Seems like we have run out of money I am afraid to say,” Anna said.
“I’ve done some printing work back in Virginy,” John told me.
“John tried to catch a few odd jobs along the way.”
“Printing work eh? You could help me out with some writing then perhaps,” I smiled.
“Some people are skeered of hirin’ strangers,” Anna said.
“I know ya’ll believe in the Good Lord, that’s good enough for me,” I shook my head.
“Be a privilege,” John nodded.
“I haven’t been on my knees as much as I used to on this trip ma’am, but he is alway in my heart," Anna said.
“I understand that for sure. Hasn’t been an easy journey for me lately either," I nodded.
“Times seem hard for everyone we meet these days ma’am. I certainly understand Maybe you and I could have coffee sometime together.”
“I would love that, Anna. Can I call you Anna or would you prefer Annalou?” I smiled.
“Either one that’s rolls easiest off your tongue Miss Trin."
“Anna it is. And please, call me Trin. No need for formalities here.”
“Ok Trin, very nice to meet you. Do you think you would be interested in taking this case? We have been saving money to pay you ma’am.”
“$5,000,” John said.
“I’ll talk with my boss about the amount but I would love to take on this case for you. We can talk funds as we go along in the investigation and I’ll keep you apprised if I find anything out.” I looked at John and raised an eyebrow. “Really? That much?”
"The deed is worth 10 times that,” he said.
“And if it really has as much gold buried in the walls as Grandpappy said it’s work 50 times that,” Anna said.
“Course we’d probably be staying on…" John said. “Investing in the community.”
“Well absolutely, I will take on this case.”
“I would be willin’ to do any type of job to help us get a homestead here.”
There were gunshots outside and John said, “Ma’am, there’s a gun fight.”
“I will ask around and see what kind of work needs to be done,” I said and John went outside to go after whoever was shooting. I looked back at Anna and said, “I don’t wear a gun anymore as we don’t arrest or join in gunfights unless we’re asked. We’re safer in here, Anna.”
“They scare me, but honestly....I carry a Derringer in a garter under my skirt. Just in case.”
“My boyfriend is a marshal. I’m sure he’s out there taking care of things.”
“My John is a really sharp shot if he needs any help.”
“He should see about becoming a deputy then. We could use more lawmen. Especially if he’s a good shot.”
John came into the office again and Anna said, “I had a dream once...of him wearing a badge.”
“Did you... Perhaps it’s a sign.”
“It seems to have worked itself out,” John told us as he walked in.
“Then what would we call the dreams where I was a saloon girl?” Anna asked and I chuckled.
“Glad to hear it, John. Anna tells me you’re a good shot. Perhaps you should become a deputy,” I told him. “There’s a serious imbalance on the ratio between outlaw and law around here. We could use some more good men on our side.”
“John...they are such friendly folk here, already offerin’ us jobs and all,” Anna told him.
“Ma’am, I hold honesty and honor next to Godliness,” John insisted.
“We may never catch this thief but if this turns out to be the place we settle...not all would be lost,” Anna said.
“Do not have doubts. I intend to find this Rockman fellow and retrieve the deed and the locket,” I looked at her. “We must have faith that God brought you here for a reason.”
“Anna?” John looked at her. “We should turn in for the evening...let this young lady go back to her birthday celebrations.”
“Trin I would love to have the mine back, but if you could recover the locket, it would mean the world to me,” Anna wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Trust me John, this is a brilliant birthday present,” I chuckled.
“It’s the only picture there is of me when I was a child,” Anna said.
I reached over to hold her hand and looked into her eyes compassionately, “I will do my very best, Anna.”
“And besides it would be the only thing I have to remember my Granny. Trin, you are truly a Godsend.”
“I understand,” I nodded.
“I will ask him to help you on your path,” Anna said.
“I’ll pay you 1,000 coins in advance...for expenses of course…” John dropped the gold coins on the table for me.
“Well there’s some rooms at the Bowman house just down the street on the right if you’re interested in spending the night somewhere. I’ll let you carry on while I write some more notes about this case of yours,” I took the coins and smiled widely. “Thank you so much, John!”
“You’re welcome Trin!” John exclaimed.
“Trin we will mosey on down to the Hotel, and if you think of any more questions you know where we will be. Thank you again for your help and hospitality,” Anna smiled.
“See we find that Rocksman,” John said.
“We’ll do all that is within our power,” I nodded and shook their hands.”Have a pleasant evening, both of you. Welcome to the town.”
“You’re a very kind lady and I think we might become good friends,” Anna smiled.
We said goodnight and I headed home, feeling exhausted but excited.
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