Georgetown.
This morning I headed to the mines to find Rocksman but I couldn’t find him in the area. I heard Ahawi and another woman talking in the mine and I greeted them.
“I am doing well, just exploring for a case actually. I’m glad to see you!” I smiled. “Mines are not my favorite places to be but this case will bring me right into them."
“Naiya is Navajo who just make journey here to live on land on other side of mine,” Ahawi introduced.
“No, it is not the most beautiful place to be, what are you seeking Trin?” Ahawi asked me.
“We were attacked by bandits yesterday,” Naiya informed.
“You were?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Their Shaman was almost hanged,” Ahawi nodded.
“Oh my…” I looked between them.
“You should wear a weapon here, mine was stolen yesterday ,” Naiya told me.
I patted my holster and said, “I’ve got that covered. This job is not the safest one. Especially not with such a big case as this.”
“I recognized them Trin, it was Josey Wales and Harley Buu,” Ahawi said.
“Of course it was,” I sighed. “What happened?”
“Where do you live, Trin?” Naiya looked at me.
“I live over in Georgetown above the newspaper building. Why would those two care about a Shaman?”
“Well, it’s a sad history.. two bandits came to our tribe, they were hidden on the forest and attacked us, Tatanka and me. They tried to hang our shaman but Ahawi came with cherokees and some palefaces to help us,” Naiya explained.
“I do not know, just because he native I guess,” Ahawi said.
“They came to steal us.. I believe that…” Naiya said.
“This behavior will not be tolerated,” I looked between them seriously. I wished I had more agents to help me against Buu and Rebel, since I knew I couldn’t take them on myself.
“Hello,” Leu greeted us. I was still a bit upset with him over our last conversation but I waved at him anyway.
“Do you work in the newspaper, Trin? I think would be good you telling our bad episode there” Naiya asked me.
“I will write a telegraph today and send it out about your attack. Is there any more that you can tell me?” I asked.
“Is everything ok here?” Leu asked.
“How are you this sun? Yes, all is well. Trin is looking for someone,” Ahawi said to him.
“I am doing good, thank you,” Leu said.
“Perhaps you could tell me why they would hang your Shaman?” I looked at Naiya.
“They were two tall men with dark coat .... one of them with a big red handkerchief tied to his belt,” Naiya said.
“I know the men you speak of, if Ahawi says she recognized them,” I said.
“Well if everything is good I will be on my way. Good day,” Leu said and he left as I sighed about the tension between us.
“Honestly I don’t understand a reason for that behaviour, they only said don’t want to see injuns here... and they going to set our camp on fire next time,” Naiya said.
“If they came just to steal from you, why did they go to such lengths as to hang your Shaman?” I asked. “I will need to speak with those two..”
“I must be on my way back to village, Chief will worry if I stay gone too long,” Ahawi said.
“Safe paths, my friend. And take care of yourself,” I nodded to her.
“Safe Paths Naiya and Trin,” she said and headed back to the village.
“The only reason that they do not want Indians and they want us out of our land as if we were an epidemic…” Naiya said.
“Tell me more about your Shaman…”
“Want to come to my land? I don’t feel comfortable in this mine,” she offered.
“I am with you there. Let’s go to your village. Will your tribe mind that I am armed?” I asked and followed her to the village.
Navajo Village.
“Good morning sister, how are you? This is Trin , she lives in Georgetown,” Naiya introduced me to the woman there. “Trin this is Tul.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Tul,” I shook her hand.
“Hello Trin, how are you?” Tul smiled.
“I am alright I suppose. Concerned about this news from your sister.” We took a seat at the fire and I thanked them for their welcome as they offered me some coffee.
“This woman is writing in the local Newspaper, she wants information about the yesterday attack…” Naiya said to Tul.
“Actually... I’m more under Pinkerton business than the newspaper. I am a Pinkerton agent and we help investigate crimes in the area, so long as there’s local law to help us,” I explained as a man walked over. I stood and was introduced to the man and Naiya invited him to join us by the fire. “Tell me the story from the beginning, Naiya,” I said to her.
“Yesterday 2 bandits almost hanged our shaman and killed me. They came and push me several times. After that they said, ‘We don’t want Injuns here… You out of our land.’”
“Nothing will be on the record at the paper until you tell me that I should share this threat with people in town to warn them of it,” I told them.
Naiya continued, “As I told, they were 2 palefaces, one younger than other.. wearing dark coats and bad faces.”
“Buu and Rebel, Ahawi told me their names in the mine,” I nodded.
“We said to them to don’t holst the weapon but they started to walk forward. I don’t know people names here… we arrived 2 days ago…” Naiya said.
“You should know their names, for future reference. I’m sure they will be back,” I told her.
“I only know they are dangerous and bad spirits.”
“So they started to walk forward…” I prompted. She started to look nervous and I said, “Take your time.”
“Then came our shaman and told them to beware their rifles and leave our holy land.”
“But they didn’t leave,” I prompted as the other man walked out of the village.
“At that time the palefaces enraged and started yelling for us to leave their land and they would hang the shaman after setting fire to the tribe and make it disappear forever.”
“How many were injured in the village while they hanged the shaman last night?” I asked with sensitivity, angered at the actions of Harley and Rebel.
“He only injured were our shaman and me..luckily our warriors were out hunting and they were not here .. I say fortunately because none died.”
“Except the shaman…” I nodded.
“Oh no… our shaman is alive but we don’t know if he is going to survive.. excuse me for my bad knowledge of your language, is hard for us to learn it.”
Tul got up and headed to her teepee to rest then and I looked at Naiya. “Oh, your shaman is alive. I am sorry, I thought they’d hanged him when they were here. So they only threatened to…”
“Our shaman is in Bear River where Ahawi is healing his wounds and praying to the gods at the same time we do.”
“Oooh… What is the name of your shaman? Would I be able to speak with him sometime?” I asked as I met another man came into the village. “I am also here on my own hunt... You folks haven’t seen a man by the name of Rocksman, would you?”
“I have no seen that man…yet,” the man named Dancer said.
“Okay... Let me know if you do? I have an office over in Georgetown and I am looking for him. He is a potentially dangerous man.”
“Do you wish his scalp?”
“No, I need him very much alive,” I shook my head. “If you could send me a message when you see him next... You don’t need to approach him, I just need to know if he is seen in this area.”
“I see and will spread the word,” he smiled at me.
“He will be in his forties ... but sadly I don’t have any more description than that. I appreciate your help.”
“If necessary we are willing to give a reward of five silver bars who find them,” Naiya offered.
“No need, Naiya. I just need to know that he is in the area. Your help to me will be reward enough.” I looked around the circle and said, “Well I should head back home. Please keep me posted if Buu and Rebel make their return as threatened.”
“You can be sure you’ll be alerted if we find the suspect. From now on we will interrogate all palefaces entering our land,” Naiya said.
“I will send a telegraph informing our people of this attack.”
“Sure we will, thank you so much for your help, Trin. Do you need Dancer going with you to your safe zone?”
“Perhaps if they discover their acts are being made public, they will hesitate the next time. Do I have your permission to do that?”
“We take care of allies,” she nodded.
“Excellent.”
Dancer came with me as we said goodbye to Naiya and headed back towards Georgetown. I asked him to tell me about any more attacks and he promised he would let me know.
Georgetown.
I sat down at my desk and started to work on an article about the attack on the Navajo village. Later this afternoon I greeted Wahya, the dog who liked to follow me around sometimes, and played fetch with him. We went for a walk and explored and then Wahya disappeared off into the streets. I found a small puppy and pet the puppy.
Wyoming.
The dog ran off towards Wyoming and I went back to the village where I called for someone to come but then another dog came over and played with the puppy. All of a sudden there were gunshots and we started to walk away from the sound of the guns. I took the dogs back home and fed them.
Georgetown.
We continued to wander around, me and my new dog Kam, and we saw a man offf in the street with his gun drawn. I locked the door as we went in the office and the man walked off. I vaguely thought I recognized the man and went outside to call for Carlos, but he wasn’t around anymore. Wayha joined us later and then I greeted a Native woman that I had met at the Navajo village named Tul. We went to join Tul in the Navajo village and we talked about how she came from the Sioux tribe in Oregon. We talked about my friendships with the Natives.
After a while I headed home with the dogs and then settled in at home.
This afternoon I played piano and sang in the saloon. A few people came to listen to me sing and it felt so good to share my music again. I was surprised how many people came to listen.
When I was finished I stood from the piano and thanked everyone for coming.
“That was beautiful, Trin. Thank you for sharing your music with us," Velvet complimented.
“Well I have to get back to the barnand finish some things up. But I enjoyed your singing Trin! You’re amazing,” Suzy said as she stood.
“Well a gal needs moral support too, so she won’t be nervous. You had some great music,” Sugar said to mee and thanked Suzy for coming.
“It was my first time playing in a saloon again.. Was definitely nervous,” I smiled at Sugar.
“I am sorry I missed your playin’...John was just tellin’ me it was beautiful,” Anna waved at me from her spot beside John.
Velvet and Sugar talked about her bakery and I asked Anna if she wanted to join me at home with John joining us later. Anna and I headed to the apartment and sat on the couch together.
“It’s good to have you here,” I smiled at her.
“Thank you for being so kind. It’s nice to already have a friend in town.”
“Indeed. I wonder where my two dogs are... Probably out and about.”
“We had two Heelers that got sick while we were on the road. John had to shoot ’em to put ’em out their misery. ’Bout broke his heart,” Anna blinked back tears.
“Oh really? When did this happen?”
“As we were crossing the prairie in Oklahoma. Don’t know what they got into, but they kept howling and rolling and howling. They were real miserable so he put ’em down. Have you always lived in Georgetown?”
“Only for the past couple months.”
“Where did you call home?”
“Well I s’pose I can tell you my story.... the short version,” I winked. “I could wait for John to get here though. He might want to hear it too. Would be easier to tell it once than twice. I had some questions for you though about this case..”
“Ask away,” she sighed a bit.
“This mine... I’m not sure if I’ve got the exact location right. Was wondering if we could go out and look at it together just to make sure I’m looking in the right place.”
“Of course, but I am not sure if I will recognize it. I am sure things have changed quite a bit in these parts since I left here at 15. But I will do my best.”
“Of course,” I nodded. “Do you have any idea what he would look like by now?”
“I remember we traveled a long way around this big mountain and then down a steep hill till we got to Georgetown. There was a rock shaped like a Religious Sister pretty close to the entrance of the mine.”
“Or perhaps even what he looked like he did as a kid so I have an idea what I’m looking for.”
“I never met him but my cousin did. She said said he was a right handsome fella.”
“Your cousin eh? Where’s your cousin from?”
“She lived in Colorado Springs and would spend summers helping Granny and Pawpaw on the ranch.”
“Oh really. I lived in Colorado Springs for a bit.”
“I heard tell it’s a pretty place.”
“Still have some friends there.”
“I believe my cousin actually kissed him once, although she never really admitted it.”
“I kinda saw that coming,” I chuckled.
John came up and knocked on the door then and I let him inside as Anna said, “Hmmm, let me think. I remember in her letters she said he had a small scar above his right eye.”
“Like what you’ve done with your place, miss Trin,” John looked around as he walked in.
“Why thank you, I like it myself.”
“Hello dear, Trin and I are getting to know each other,” Anna said. “John, do you remember my cousin sayin’ that Rocksman boy had a scar above his right eye, or was it his left?”
“His right I am believing,” John said.
“A scar?” I looked between them.
“Yes, got into a bad barroom brawl outside of Pecos Texas I heard. Someone cracked a beer bottle open on his skull,” Anna said.
“Think it could be related to all of this?” I shook my head.
“Well, I just feel that the boy was always a little misguided. Pawpaw tried to help him, you know....show him the Lord’s way… But he grew up in a family of thieves the stories say.”
“We were wondering if you might remember where the mines are that Anna’s grandfather owned?” I looked at John. “I want to make sure I’m hunting out around the right area. I looked through a couple of them today.”
“My cousin told me that she saw what she thought was Granny’s locket in a pawn shop in a small town outside of Colorado Springs. She couldn’t be sure.”
“Oh really? I’ll have to go out there and search around.”
“I remember seeing a map in your office, could I have a look at it again? Maybe it would jog my memory.”
“We could do that,” I nodded and led them down to the office next door. We walked over to the map and I stayed quiet as Anna studied it.
She closed her eyes, trying to remember, and then pointed. “Right there, that’s the steep hill. I remember coming down it and the town was on our left.”
I smiled, knowing I had the right mine that morning. “Can I take you there perhaps and we can confirm that?”
“Yes ma’am, but please forgive me if I bust out in uncontrollable tears, seeing the place again. So many memories you know,” Anna said.
“Of course, we’ll take it slow. I’m not the most comfortable in mines either since what happened, but I’m still very invested in this case.”
“Since what happened?” Anna looked at me curiously.
“I was held for a couple hours in a cave with a very nasty group of people. Wasn’t allowed out until I promised to do something that was very hard to agree to. My friends’ lives were at stake though, I had no choice. I didn’t actually do it, just told them I would. But to make sure I remembered he meant business…”
“Oh no, I am sorry to hear that. I am glad you got out alright,” Anna said and I rolled up my sleeve to show them the scar. Anna gasped and said, “What kind of man would do that to a women….monster.”
“I’ve been running from his gang ever since. But now I’m standing up for myself by being a Pinkerton and fighting against the outlaws that have fought me all my life.”
“Trin do you operate the telegraph machine?” Anna asked then.
“I can send telegraphs yes,” I nodded. “It may be too soon to go out to that mine, Anna. I wouldn’t want to push you but I do think it’s important that we go out there sometime, see if it jogs back more memories.”
“I was thinking we should send a message my cousin to see if she remembers any more details about that Rocksman fella. Maybe next time we see you, you could do that for us?”
“Oh yes, that would be a good idea. What is your cousin’s name?”
“Her name is Vivianna. My uncle married a French girl from down in Baton Rouge. Meantime I will go through my letters to see if anything catches my eye.”
“That’s a good idea. Any information we can gather will help us find this man sooner. At least I’m pretty sure I have the right area for the mine. I’ve been looking out there today but it was quiet, but I asked the Natives in the area to inform me of anyone suspicious.”
“You are so through Miss Trin,” John nodded.
“This case is important to you so it’s important to me.”
“I can see why you are an agent Trin, you have a good investigative mind. I like that. Makes me feel proud to have met you,” Anna said.
“Well thank you both, that is a very big compliment. It makes my job worth it to see that you both are so flattering to me,” I smiled. “I’ve got a couple of dogs living with me sometimes too... They help protect me while I’m out and about alone.”
“Well friends, look after friends, right?” Anna smiled.
“Such creative minds…” John laughed.
“And the family of God looks after one another too,” I added.
“Yes, He does,” John nodded.
“I guess we had better mosey along John so this young lady can get back to the business of catching outlaws,” Anna said.
“Thank you both for stopping in. It was good to catch up,” I smiled at them.
“Yes of course. G’night, Miss Trin,” John said.
“I will telegraph for your cousin tonight and hopefully we’ll see her in the morning.”
“Yes and having Him on our side will make everything be alright in the end,” Anna nodded.
“I’ll also check around Colorado Springs for that locket,” I said and went over to the telegraph machine.
“Do you need her last name Trin?” Anna asked.
“Yes, please.”
“It’s Sorea....it’s her real daddy’s name. He was killed by Injuns.”
I typed in the name Vivian Sorea into the telegraph machine and sent it off. “So much murder in your family,” I sighed.
“Well, hopefully you will reach her. Just let us know,” Anna said.
“I certainly will,” I nodded.
“I have lost more family than I can count because of gunslingers, bar fights and travel across Injun infested prairies.”
“Mine are all up north, though my parents did come down yesterday for my birthday. Well I’ll let you folks get some rest. You found somewhere to stay okay?”
“We’ll be bedding again in the wagon,” John said. “Com’on mrs...let’s scoot.”
We said goodnight and they left for their wagon.
I started to walk towards home but ran into Chas. She apologized for not making it to my singing at the saloon and I assured her I’d be singing weekly. “So you were comin’ to find me, news or Pinkerton business?” I asked her.
“News I’m thinkin’ unless the Pinkertons want in on that story you ran this mornin’?”
“Oh, the one about Buu and Reb? Yeah that’ll stay news for now. Let’s head to that office,” I said and led the way. When we sat at the desk in the news office I asked, “So what do you have for me?”
“Well seems that those two didn’t just run into the Navajos out there. There was others too.”
“Oh really?”
“From what I gather there was Cherokees too. An’ some others. Can’t say fer sure quite who... But they was involved in stoppin’ the hangin’.”
“Right... one of the Cherokee was the one who identified the two. I was wondering how she fit into it all... Hadn’t gotten a chance to go out there and ask her yet.”
“That sounds about right. There was about four Cherokees total. If she is who I’m thinkin’ yer talkin’ about then she brought the others. They wasn’t no indians. Cept maybe one, but she wasn’t dressed right. T’be an Indian I mean.”
“Guess I’ll have to go out to Bear River tomorrow and get more information then. Thanks for the information, Chas,” I gave her fifty coins.
“Might be a good idea. If’n ya want I’ll come along,” she nodded.
“I may take you up on that. I’ll keep you apprised if I need you. Thanks for the offer.”
“A’course, Miss Trin. Can’t have even a Pinkerton runnin’ out there all on her lonesome.”
“Well I’ve got my two dogs when I need ’em, so I ain’t completely alone,” I smiled. But thanks, Chas. I should head to bed, it’s s been a busy day.”
“Nothin’ Doin’. I’ll letcher get back to yer evening. Miss, thanks ya for the reward.”
“A good scout deserves to be paid.”
“An here I thought my scouting fer pay was done after the Sixteenth. Good to know I still got it. Surely. Be seein’ ya, Miss Trin.,” she said and headed out of the office.
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