Georgetown.
This morning I walked out of my office and saw John. “John, just the man I was hoping to see.”
“Hey, Good Day!! Nice to see you!”
“Nice to see you too!” I smiled. “I was wondering if you could help me with something.”
“Of course, my pleasure ma’am.”
“I was wondering if we could head out to that mine I was looking at the other day... I want to make sure I’m looking around the right area and it might be too painful for your wife to handle…”
“Yes, you’re right, it is painful for her...I’m glad she has someone in town to confide in....thank you Trin... You’ve made her feel very welcome.”
“I’m glad to do it. She’s a wonderful lady. Shall we carry on then?”
“Yes please,” he gestured ahead.
We walked up towards the mines and looked around. I hesitated, trying not to show my nervousness, and he took my hand in a friendly manner, but I told him I couldn’t because I didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. We walked into the mines and made our way through towards Wyoming. I showed John around and we walked into the City of Mines. We headed back home and I saw the sign for the Valentine’s ball and smiled. I talked to John about how it would be a great thing if he could be a lawman, but he was still thinking about it. We headed home and then shook hands before parting ways.
Colorado Springs.
I walked into Colorado with Kam close behind me. We looked around and I ran into Mikk at the trading post by the docks. After greeting each other, I got down to business.
“Was wonderin if you could help me locate something…”
“Locate?” he raised an eyebrow.
“I’m working a case over in Georgetown and it’s lead me here… I’ve been told that there is a locket somewhere at a pawn shop or somethin’ here in Colorado Springs. There’s two pictures inside... one of a pair of grandparents and the other of a child, a girl.”
“Well I would not call this a pawn shop… I run a legit business… but yes, sometimes when guys are out of money… well… they pay another way. A locket, you say?”
“Have you seen somethin’ like it?”
“Hmm… I might have.”
“Really?” I asked hopefully.
“What’s it worth to ya?”
“I’ll pay for it. It’ll mean a lot to my client if I return this to her. Can I see it first? To make sure it’s the right one?”
“Well… I can’t exactly remember. Let me check.” He lifted a board that was loose and checked down in the barrel. “Gold or silver?”
“Gold.” Mikk took out a gold locket and put it on the counter for me to examine it. I took the locket and opened it carefully, seeing the picture of the grandparents and the picture of what Anna must have looked like as a child. “Yes! That’s it! Oh, Mikk... You just helped a whole bunch!”
“Well in that case… Take it.”
“Really? I’ll pay for it if I need to.”
“I don’t think it was more than a bottle of bad tequila I gave fer that.”
“It wouldn’t have been, but it was worth more of a sentimental value,” I held the locket reverently.
“The guy was drunk anyways..so he would not have known what I gave him,” he said and I nodded, thinking that sounded about right.
“Hey... the guy who sold this to you... Did he have a scar above his eye?”
“Hard to say really… He had a hat on. Drunk as a skunk and rather dirty. Five day beard. Did not get his name.”
I put the locket in my pocket, relieved I’d at least solved that part of the mystery. “Wouldn’t think ya would have. Please, let me pay you something for this?”
“Naw, it’s fine Trin,” he smiled. “As I said… bad tequila.”
“It sure is good to see you again, Mikk! You’ve got quite the spot here,” I smiled.
“Only fifty cents a bottle, that is. It’s a business,” he nods.
“Get much travellers out this way?”
“Well in the summertime, yes. Don’t get rich from it. Boats docking…”
I thanked him for the locket and grinned about the 4000 reward I still had yet to collect and hoped I’d be able to receive it still. I went around the counter and hugged him tightly before heading down the street.
I saw Adder in front of his office and smiled at him. “Howdy Trin!” he greeted me first.
“Hey there, Adder! How’s it goin?” I walked over to him.
“Not too bad. Quiet so far.” He looked to the Texas border and said, “No sign of the Wild Bunch, mores the pity.”
“Well give it time,” I chuckled. “I’m actually out here workin’ a case.”
“Oh?”
“Mmhmm. Pretty high profile one actually. At least, high amount in reward money if I catch the guy.”
“Sounds good. What’s he done?”
“Stole a deed to a mine... stole a locket, which I just retrieved from Mikk’s shop on the docks. Possibly killed a man,” I winked at him.
“A thoroughly wholesome fella then,” he chuckled.
“Indeed,” I nodded. “One that’ll get me five thousand if I catch him. Apparently the deed he stole was worth like ten times that much. I’ve been pokin’ around the mine in question... No sign of activity yet though they say he’s migrated towards Georgetown apparently. So I’m just keepin’ my eyes peeled.. Askin’ around to see if anyone’s seen or met him yet.”
“Which mine?”
“The one just west of Georgetown, on the way to Bear River.”
“He sounds pretty dangerous. Your sheriff got a plan to protect the town?”
I sighed and asked, “Our non-existent sheriff and our even more non-existent deputies? Oh I’m sorry, the one deputy who does show up lets out notorious prisoners and cuts telegraph wires,” I said and he chuckled. “We do have a U.S. Marshal though finally,” I blushed a little. “He isn’t around as much as I’d... like him to be but he’s around enough as a marshal should be.”
“Good. Hell I can’t say too much about the deputies, I got four, and two of ’em shot me before I knew their names,” he nodded.
“Nice insubordination there,” I shook my head.
“No, no. It was before they got the jobs. When they were just regular... er.... outlaws.”
“Oh, I see. Hirin’ outlaws as deputies you’re so desperate eh?” I winked at him.
“A human shield is a human shield. Besides, one of ’em is a very good shot.”
“Good thing he’s on your side then. Well Taurus I’ll let you get back to your nap there. I should head home and see if I can’t find my clients and return this locket to them…”
“Ride safely Trin,” he chuckled.
“Will do. You stay safe too,” I nodded and headed for home.
Georgetown.
A couple of hours later I noticed a group in front of the sheriff’s office and eyed them curiously. The white wolf growled at me and I told it I worked here. A woman ripped off a wanted poster off the wall and I looked between them. The man announced that they needed bandages since they were hurt by a wild animal. I told him where the clinic was and the woman walked back over to me.
“Well, well, well… What we got here, love? A new lil filly for our camp?”
I backed up and said, “I’ll just let ya’ll get on your way. Bandages are in the clinic if ya need ’em.”
“Could be,” the man chuckled. “We need them bandages. “
“Sooo woman hold the law in these parts do they??” the woman shook her head with a smile. “Well this is gonna be an easy town.”
“Ya be a good girl and show us that Clinic might keep us from poking at things,” the man said.
“Take care folks,” I nodded and waved to them.
I went to sit on my balcony and watched people going about their business. I saw a man riding through town and thought he was familiar. Suddenly I heard someone coming up through my apartment and turned to see Duke. “Thought I would drop in,” he said, startling me.
“Hey Sheriff.”
“Had to check the roof of the Office for damage.”
“Damage?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Well the office door was broke. I fixed that. S o I decided to check and see if the roof had been broken though.”
“I think I saw who did that but there was nothing I could do to stop them. Their danged wolf was after me so much I had to back off.”
“Wolf?”
“It was a man and a woman... They said they were injured and needed to get some bandages. I directed them to the clinic and walked here… Went back to see if they’d left a message..” I said, seeing the man walk through the street again and I hesitated. “They’d thrown a couple books on the door.”
“Ya just see them?” he looked at me.
“That wasn’t the same man,” I shook my head. “They had a white wolf with them.”
“Well that ain’t good.”
“Well howdy down there, ma’am,” Duke said then, looking over the balcony.
I looked over the balcony and we talked with the new person. Twist and TJ walked down the street and we greeted them. We talked for a while as TJ and Duke bantered back and forth. I saw the man I’d seen before again and walked downstairs, watching him walk away. I shook my head, wondering who in the world he was.
Vito walked over to us then and I asked if we could talk inside while the others talked. When we were alone I asked, “I wanted to see how we were progressing on that last discussion we’d had last time we talked?”
“I’m getting things worked out, but I can’t tell you the details. You understand.”
I nodded and said, “We need to move fast on this. Especially now that things are a bit more settled with the Cherokee... I want to show them that I’m serious about getting our man.”
“I’m guessing that there are others that will take things into their own hands?”
I nodded and said, “Anyway I just wanted to chat quickly. Let’s go back outside so they’re not suspicious of anything strange.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I have information, Miss Paige,” Vito promised.
“I’d appreciate that,” I nodded. “Have a good evening, Vito.”
“Of course the information may be laying on your doorstep…” Vito whispered to me and I raised an eyebrow. “Have a nice evening,” he said and walked out of the office.
I walked out after him and the others were still talking. I looked closer at the man leaning against the wall and then my heart almost stopped when I recognized him. Kale. I tried to say his name but my voice could barely make it out. It can’t be… Not now… I thought to myself.
Kale continued to smoke while his eyes seemed to be fixed on TJ. I looked between them and wondered what on earth was going on.
“Hey there. Ya have a problem?” TJ asked.
“Try to keep the peace partner,” Duke insisted.
I felt my knees shaking with shock as I watched the two men, in awe that Kale had returned after all those months. “What cat got ya tongue there boy?” TJ asked.
“Maybe he cant talk with that damn cigaret in his mouth,” Twist suggested.
“Oh, maybe so.”
“I don’t like the way you just treated that lady,” Kale said with a deep voice, and my heart started to race quickly as I heard his voice again.
“Kale…” I finally managed, shocked.
TJ slapped the cigarette out of Kale’s mouth and said, “That’s my wife and she likes being slapped by me.”
Kale glanced over at me and I swallowed hard. Months of regret washed over me as I went to lean against the wall for support.
Twist burst out laughing. “I wasn’t threatened. He’s my darn husband!”
“Well I don’t..so please keep your hands to yourself,” Kale said and then looked over at me.
“Maybe ya should move along mister,” TJ suggested and I looked at Kale intently, still unable to speak.
“Are ya serious?” Twist blinked and TJ laughed.
“Duke, he’s all yours,” TJ stepped back.
“Ok gents, let’s keep this peaceful, please,” Duke said.
“I’ll say ya are not to be butting in what my husband does to me,” Twist said to Kale.
“As you wish,” Kale nodded to Duke and suddenly I fell to the ground in shock. I stood then, swallowing hard and looking around, noticing no one noticed my fall.
Kale walked over to me and reached out his hand. I took it and they asked if I was okay as Kale helped me to my feet. I shook my head, embarrassed, and still held his hand. “Kale…” I said again, still amazed.
“So the man has a name,” TJ commented.
“Trin, maybe we should get ya back up into the balcony. Ya lookin’ pale,” Duke said as Kale stayed quiet, turning back to the group.
“I…” I started to speak and my mind flashed back to the teepee in the Native village, wondering if Kale would live or die, and blinked hard to get the memory out of my head.
Kale looked at me and asked in a cold tone, “I’m looking for the telegraph operator. You must be her.”
I swallowed hard and thought to myself, So that’s how it’s gonna be. I nodded to him and said, “I… I guess that’s me.” I put a hand on Duke’s shoulder to steady myself.
“I need to send a Telegraph....Would you please help me?” Kale asked, continuing to look at me.
“Let’s… go inside,” I nodded.
“Got ya, Trin,” Duke helped me and followed me into the news office as I tried to convince him I was fine. “Well as I live and breath. Dead Hand Kale,” Duke commented. “One of the best Gunslingers in the west. You’re a legend, partner.”
I looked from Duke to Kale. “Gunslinger?”
“Used to hear about him back when I rode with my Brother,” Duke nodded as Kale remained silent, looking at him. “He may even of meet my Brother Mac McLeary. Mac’s a Slinger as well.”
“Are you ready?” Kale looked at me.
“I guess so,” I looked at him and sat at my desk. I looked at him, waiting for him to give me the message as Duke started to whistle Dixie. I shot him a look and he looked outside.
Kale turned to me and said, “This is going to the mayor of Springfield. Update...stop...Bill Carson Found hiding in Colorado town..stop...Bill Carson Killed..Gunshot to the Eye...stop.......Expecting remainder of payment upon return…stop.” I typed up the message and shook my head, seeing how far he’d changed since the last time I’d seen him.
Duke walked outside and I stared at Kale when we were alone. “Kale…” I started and he looked down at me. I sent the telegraph for him and looked back at him, keeping an eye on the growing crowd outside. Kale walked outside and I recognized the two outlaws who were in the sherif’s office outside and guessed they were the ones who threw the books in the clinic too. “Duke!” I called out and walked outside.
“Put the guns away,” Duke ordered, pulling his guns.
I decided then that it was safer to stay inside, since Duke seemed to be handling things. Kale reached for his gun as the outlaws continued to banter with them. I heard Sam shouting and then all of a sudden gunshots went off. I realized it had been two months since I’d last seen Kale and heard the shooting had stopped. I walked out of the office and saw Manipi nuzzling Kazu, another dog, looking up at me with worry. I pet the injured dog and then they went off towards their home.
Duke and Kale walked back and I called out, “Duke! Those two…”
“Yes?” Duke asked me.
Kale walked up with a trail of blood running down his arm. “Did you send my message?”
“Those were the two that were at the sheriff’s office. Then asked for the bandages.”
“Well thank ya Trin. I’ll be sure to write that in my report,” Duke nodded. “Off to jail outlaw.”
I looked over at Kale and nodded. “Yes, your message is sent.”
“Alright,” he nodded and turned away, revealing his grazed shoulder. I watched him walk away and just shook my head.
“Trin,” Adahy and Chief Standing Bear walked over to us then. “There has been attack on Cherokee this moon… The outlaws hide in town. We come for them,” Adahy said.
“The outlaws have been taken care of,” I insisted.
“Show me.”
“Our sheriff and my boss just dragged a couple over to the jail.”
“Show me these men, Trin,” he nodded.
The emotion of seeing Kale was still all over me but I tried to hide it in front of the others. I led the way to the office and saw Duke and Sam talking inside. Asha greeted me and I knocked on the door. “Duke? Sam? I need one of you out here.”
“What do you need agent?” Sam called out from the other side of the door.
“I need you out here, Sam.”
“We were just involved in a shootin and we have two people in here that need a doctor and I am not about to open the door until one gets here,” he said sternly.
“We speak to Sheriff or Marshall...if they come!” Adahy called out and I watched Kale knock on the office door.
“Please, seriously. One of you come out here soon?” I looked desperately at Sam as they let Kale inside. Adahy and Chief talked in Cherokee and then Sam walked outside.
“You law man?” Adahy asked Sam.
“This is my boss, Sam Stillwater,” I looked at Adahy.
“You have captives...they assault Cherokee woman outside of town,” Adahy looked at Sam.
“Brother, the two we want are inside,” Chief said.
“What ya lookin’ for?” Sam asked.
“You have two captives...they assault Cherokee woman outside of town. We come for them, so they face Cherokee justice for this attack.”
“Do you speak for your tribe?” Sam looked at Adahy.
“I am Adahy, War Chief of Bear River Cherokee. I speak for tribe in this. These captives must be given to us to face justice for their assault.”
I felt torn then between two worlds. I looked from the Natives to my boss and back to the sheriff’s office where I heard Kale talking inside, and my heart started to pound. Chief walked closer to the jail door and Adahy looked around. I had a strong desire to talk with Kale and Duke but I knew I needed to stay outside with Sam and the natives until things were sorted out. I started to open the sheriff’s office door, thinking I’d be safer in there, and walked inside.
“How bad is it out there, Trin?” Duke asked.
“Let’s just say I’m safer in here,” I told him.
“Kale, stay here,” Duke insisted.
“Ya know if they gonna break the law let us free and we will help you fight them,” the man in the cell said.
“Ms. Paige,” Kale tipped his hat to me and walked outside. I wanted to have a couple of words with him but wasn’t sure where to start. Someone else came to the jail, wanting the people inside, and the conflict started to grow deeper.
“Kale, I…” I started, looking at him as we hid inside the sheriff’s office together.
“You know, I find this ironic,” Kale chuckled. “One minute ago we were in a gunfight, now I’m protecting your sorry asses.”
I continued to hear them arguing back and forth and I wished I could hear the conversation outside. From what I could make of it, they were talking about how the outlaws would serve paleface justice, and then Cherokee justice. The chief asked when palefaces ever kept their word and I swore under my breath. I knew then that my conversations with them had been completely useless, since I’d been trying to insist that all paleface weren’t evil. It became clear that they hadn’t heard a word I had said. Sam started to order them outside and I looked over at Duke, wishing I could just go to bed.
“You come into my town insult me and threaten my family? No no it would be wise for you to go away before I turn all your heads into a watermelon,” Sam said sternly then as I moved closer to the window to hear.
“We are promised these two. We have quarrel only with them. You put away firesticks, and we put away our weapons,” Adahy said.
“Sam put them away, partner,” Duke said to Sam about the guns he held. “We don’t need a war. Sorry, Trin…” he said to me, knowing how much it meant to me to have peace.
“Sam, just stop. Let them go and we’ll deal with this calmly,” I looked out the window.
“Now’s not the time,” Kale looked at me and I shook my head, frustrated.
“Put firesticks away...and we do the same,” Adahy said.
“No ya don’t, partner,” Duke said.
“I will not be insulted nor threatened when I was working with them to start with. I don’t give a damn what either of you says,” Sam said angrily.
“So be it… Brother… Now,” Adahy ordered.
All of a sudden dynamite blew off in the office and I ran to the upstairs of the office, huddling in fear and frustration. As I watched the front of the office blow up, I watched my connections with the Cherokee end. They clearly had no care for me or my safety, no matter how many months I’d invested in good relations with them.
I shook as I looked over at Duke coming in. “Duke…”
“Sorry Trin. We had no choice,” he said and I nodded, knowing he was right.
Kale walked back in and looked at me, taking me by the shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“No… No, I’m…” I shook my head. I looked around, feeling lost as the gunfight kept going. I knew that my whole life had just changed drastically and I knew no one else would ever understand how much.
“Wonder if they have left…” Duke said.
“Not sure but they ain’t shooting anymore,” Kale grunted.
I swallowed hard, needing someone.. needing Chet... needing... help… I moved downstairs again and turned around, looking around the office. I opened the door shakily and heard Kale talking upstairs. “I’m gonna go down and check on Trin,” Kale said.
I saw a puppy coming over and sat down on the bench in front of the blown up office, crying softly as I curled up on the bench. Duke sat beside me and patted my head. I looked at Duke and asked, “Take me home?”
“Okay ma’am,” he nodded and we walked next door to my apartment. “It will be okay, Trin,” he said.
“No it won’t, Duke. No it won’t,” I shook my head.
He put his hand on my shoulder and said, “It should be fine, I’ll just have to be careful.”
“I guess I won’t be sleeping much tonight, but I should go upstairs anyway,” I sighed. “Goodnight Duke... and... Thanks…”
He gave me a hug and I held him tightly, not letting go as he said, “Get some sleep. Been a long day.”
“Be safe, Duke,” I said and went upstairs, emotional and feeling broken. I knew from that night on, my whole life had changed forever.
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