January 4, 1870

Georgetown. 

Early this morning, I walked around town in a daze. It was two o’clock and my thoughts were flooding my ability to sleep. I found my way to the church and hesitated before going in, knowing that the last time I was in a church was when Bill and the gang had surrounded it. I thought over what Vito had said yesterday and over everything else I’d been through, and wondered how to fight violence without igniting more violence. 

I saw a man coming through the streets and shifted my weight, looking at the church and then back at the man. He was very skinny and had a somewhat eery aura around him. “Praith the Lord, my Child!You have found Jethuth!” He held a Bible in his hand and I stepped back a bit. “Welcome Child...I Trutht you are one of the Chothen?” 

“I’m sorry Sir... I was just..” I looked at him, unsure because of the way he talked with a lisp. 

“No Child...Dont be Thorry...God hath Guided you here!” 

“I was having trouble sleeping and I just thought…” I started. 

“Come Child...Pray to the Lord...Get on your Kneeth berofr Him.. And all will be forgiven!” 

“It’s not forgiveness I seek,” I shook my head. 

“I yearn to Thee you on your Kneeth.. What do you Theek, my Child?” 

“Guidance... Peace... Sleep,” I sighed. 

“Ahh… Guidanth ith eathy… Peath ith brought through Forthe… Thleep ith for the Righteouth..” 

I started to wonder why I came and looked at the building then back to the man, who was obviously the new pastor. 

“I bring the Lord’th word to the dirty Heathen Thavageth...Even if it Killth them… I go into the Wilderneth, with a bible and a gun...The Thavageth WILL learn the Wayth of Righteouthneth..” 

“What do you say to those that treat violence with violence?” 

“If it ith done in the Lordth name…Good!” he said and I thought it was definitely not done in the Lord’s name. “If not, they thall burn in the Everlathting Fireth… You are lovely Sister...Perhaps some private prayer sessions will help?” 

“Excuse me?” I blinked, realizing he had lost the lisp and wondered if the pastor had just come onto me. 

“For there are MANY ways to the Lord! On your knees before me is the quickest...Or a healthy donation?” 

“Maybe another time,” I shook my head and walked away. 

*** 

I walked down the street a few hours later after I’d been able to get some more sleep and saw Snow talking with a man in front of the train station. She looked over to me and asked, “Have you met Rick? He has been telling me how to handle our Indian problem.” 

“Morning,” I said with a tired voice. 

“Mornin there Girli!” Rick greeted me. 

“What say we take this to the saloon? I need a jolt to wake me up,” I said. 

“Aint you a purty sight on a cold mornin!” Rick exclaimed and I looked at Snow with an ‘is he serious’ look. “Sounds Damned good to me...Uh...You buyin?” 

“It’s too early in the morning for jokes,” I said and looked to Snow to see if she was in. 

“Hot Damn...TWO purty Gals t’ keep me company! Let’s get drunk!” 

“Sorry,” I looked over at him. “Had a rough night.” 

We walked into the saloon and Rick said, “Yup...You look poorly Ma’am...Let ol Rick drive yer troubles away..” 

“Rick thinks he’s a woman’s man,” Snow said. 

“Hell...NO...Just the Women think that…” Rick protested. 

“So, drinks?” I asked as we walked into the saloon. 

“Sure, might as well jolt myself.” 

I went to behind the counter and served drink as Rick said, “Again you sit facin the door...Ol Rick will protect you, lil lady..” 

I served Rick and Snow some whiskey and poured myself an Irish coffee. “So Snow was tellin me you could solve our problems?” I asked sarcastically. 

“Yup, it’s easy. Dirty Redskins...Poisoned wells and smallpox blankets… Slaughter their Livestock...Kill their women and rape the cattle… Burn down the village...THEN we negotiate...And I pick em off from the rocks.. All sensible suggestions…” he said and I shook my head. “No? What do YOU suggest then, miss High n mighty?” 

I sighed, knowing I had no answer. I looked at the door and saw Vito walking in and sighed. Oh great, I thought to myself. We got ourselves a party now.

“Lure em into a trap...Stake out Snow Naked...When they come in to see...We hit em with Dynamite!” Rick went on with his suggestions. 

We greeted Vito as he walked in and then Sugar joined us too. Rick insisted he was the solution to all our Native problems and I said, “Just gettin some drinks and listening as Rick tels us how to solve the world.” 

“It’s easy...Kill em all...Send em the way of the Buffalo...Dirty Injuns been here too long anyway…” Rick said. 

“I hear someone is having a problem…” Vito said. 

“Damned savages, lost the right to live…Can’t even speak English proper..” Rick muttered. 

“As you can see Rick is such a gentleman wit women,” Snow said sarcastically. 

“Oh? Seems to me I got the perfect solution… What do you think, Mister?” Rick asked. 

“Sugar, have you seen TJ lately?” I asked. 

“Saw him here last night.. TJ I mean,” Sugar nodded. 

“He say anything about a trial date?” I asked, eyeing Vito since he knew what I was talking about. 

“You got TRIALS here?” Rick asked. 

“No not last night. He was just dancing with his wife, and that’s all he had eyes for,” Sugar said. 

“Figures,” I sighed. “Apparently we don’t have trials here,” I looked at Rick. “Not as often as we should.” 

“Well, I am sure TJ will schedule one. At some point,” Sugar said. 

“When it pleases him,” I shrugged. 

We continued to banter back and forth and I asked if anyone had met the new preacher yet. I told them about my experience with him that morning. Vito continued to try and charm the group and my distrust in him grew.

“You still seem troubled, Miss Paige,” Vito looked over at me. 

“I didn’t sleep well last night, thanks to you. You gave me a lot to think about,” I sighed. 

“Have you reconsidered my offer then?” 

“I’m still thinking.” 

We continued to talk about the pastor and how he seemed a bit off. The preacher walked in then and said, “Hail Brothers and Sisters! And Bless this Establishment!” I rolled my eyes and he asked, 

“Oh...Did I scare the Gentleman away?” 

I noticed Rick had disappeared and the pracher went on about blessing the building and talking about the service on Sunday. I avoided looking at the pastor and noticed he’d lost the lisp still. I stayed quiet as they all talked and I wondered if he’d been drunk last night. Vito said he had to go and I looked at him, asking him to find me later. He promised to meet me at the waterfall that night at 8 o’clock and I just looked at him, still considering him. Pastor Prime commented that he had a lot of work to do here and I chuckled, thinking how he’d walked into the lion’s den. 

I finally asked Rick to dance and we moved around the floor and the pastor said, “Now now...Not too close! Dancing like that is a Sin!” I chuckled and danced closer to Rick, just to spite him.

“So Rick... Where ya from?” I asked him. 

“Well… I think its Shameful...it is broad Daylight, and you aren’t Married!” 

I chuckled and said, “I ain’t the marryin’ type, trust me.” 

“Ahm from here an there...Fort Bragg Last...Long ways away..” Rick answered. 

“Long ways indeed. What brought you out here?” 

“Oh...Misunderstandins with a man I shot.. Dang you is Purty…” 

“You shot a man, hmm?” 

“Sure…ain't we all? How come you ain’t hitched?” 

“I love my work too much,” I said and then corrected myself. “At least I did until recently.” 

“Damn...I love this Dance…” he nuzzles my neck. “Been a LOOONG time since I held a woman…” 

I smiled and leaned back into him as the pastor ‘hmphd’ and stalked to the door. 

“I think he doesn’t like us doin this,” I looked to Rick as the saloon became empty. 

“Well...I like it a lot!” 

“That makes two of us. You plannin on stayin in the area long, Rick?” 

“I thought someone as beautiful as you would be beatin men off with a stick… Oh Yeah...Sure am…Now…” 

“Most men have a problem with me being so dedicated to my job,” I smiled at him. 

“Hell… I don’t care what you do in your daytime… Miss...I might seem forward...But...Would you be upset if I tried to...kiss you?” 

“I wouldn’t be upset at all,” I smiled at him, lost in the attraction. 

Rick noticed Snow still in the saloon and then kissed me passionately. “You know Trin… I might talk big… But I ain’t really got much experience with women…” 

“You’re doin just fine, darlin’,” I said to him, lost in the moment as he kissed me again. “Perhaps you’d like to see my home?” 

“Oh..you read mah Mind! Pretty easy read, huh?” 

“I just know we might be interrupted here,” I said and took his hand. 

“Let’s Mosey, lil lady...and though I might not seem it...I can be a gent..” 

We walked towards the house and I looked at him as he was having trouble coming up with words. “Do I make you nervous?” 

“Well...I talk big, Like I say...But you are so lovely, you tie my tongue in knots, and make it hard to breathe.” 

I smiled and went to him, sliding a hand down his arm. “Relax, darlin’.” 

“But you don’t wanna hear that..You wanna tough, confidant man..I can be that too.” 

“Well I ain’t as confident as I make myself out to be either.” 

I swallowed hard as he held me close and I suddenly felt nervous in such strong arms. “Mind If I take off ma hat and weapons, Trin?” he asked and I looked at him, speechless. 

We sat down and cuddled, and I asked him questions about his past. I told him I wanted to know all about him and he said that the man he shot and him ran in a gang together, then he turned on him over a woman. He didn’t want to shoot him but now the Texas Rangers were looking for him so he came to Georgetown to start over. 

“Lately I feel like I’ve been running from my past. I wonder if now is the time to face it and overcome it,” I admitted. Only question now is... How…” 

“I’ll be really honest, Miss Trin...I been bad...Used to rob trains…I've killed people...But now I want a new life....One that is not somethin I’m ashamed of.. If there is some way I can help you Trin...Say it..” 

“I’m not sure... I feel so conflicted right now. Everything that’s been happening lately... I just feel like the world’s closing in on me.” 

“Somethin to do with that Eyetalian, I bet..” 

“He’s offered to take care of a problem I’ve been having with someone… I’m not sure I want to solve it that way but it seems to be the way everyone else is solving things these days.” 

“There are many ways to skin a cat. Trin...You don’t have to kill it...Maybe just hiss and scare him off.” 

“So you think I should use Vito and take him up on his offer?” 

“Depends on the offer...and what he wants as payment,” he said and we continued to cuddle on the couch, getting to know one another .

*** 

This afternoon I saw someone walking into town and noticed it was Chief Standing Bear. I stopped in my tracks and watched him walk away. He was running through the street and walked into the saloon and I stood behind the corner and waited. I saw him walking out and swallowed as he walked into the bakery and then came back out. I decided I was worse off from hiding from him and just went over to him. “Chief?” I started, approaching him. 

“Where is one called Icca? Osiyo.” 

I kept some distance between us as I said, “I haven’t seen him since that day he.. He was in the saloon that night and I haven’t seen him since. I can tell you where his office is…” 

“Where his office?” 

I turned and pointed to the black building beside the cemetery and said, “That’s the undertaker’s office.” 

“Maybe if you show me I will not take you prisoner.” 

“Excuse me? Why would you take me? I’ve done nothing but help you.” 

“So paleface come look for you. We use you as bait to set trap for them.” 

“No,” I shook my head. 

“Then show me this one’s office.” 

I nodded and led the way, pointing out to the office. “That’s it.” Chief walked into the building but then came back out and I asked, “He wasn’t home?” 

“I will come back… Bring many warriors.” 

“Chief, it doesn’t have to be like this..” 

Chief pointed around to the buildings and said, “All this we burn. Kill any paleface we find.” 

“Chief…” I shook my head and swallowed hard. 

“I will not allow you to be harmed… All others we kill and scalp.” 

“I thought I could trust you,” I looked at him with tired eyes. 

“Will spare you because you are friend.” 

“I appreciate that, but is there anything I can say to stop you from doing this.” 

“Cherokee have tolerated much from the paleface… but they only take… and do not give. Now we will take what is ours and drive them from these lands.” 

“Chief, I have given. I have tried to help. I have...“

“You have done what you could,” Chief nodded. “But paleface do not honor what you try to do.” 

“I tried to talk to them... I tried to…” 

He looked at me and said, “You put yourself in much danger here.” 

“I was just trying to help you,” I insisted and watched him walk around me. I wondered if this was just a sign that I needed to pack up and leave. 

“You put yourself in much danger here. You have become fine young woman. Good for the eyes of a man to look upon. You should not put yourself in such danger for the paleface who do not care about peace,” he said and I thought to myself ‘kettle, pot’, but stayed quiet. “I know in your heart you do not trust me… In time you will see that my words are true.” 

“After what you did to that girl in the village the other day, can you blame me?” I asked finally. 

“She shot me and two of my people. Her wound paled in comparison to what she did to my people.” 

“You could have waited until I was gone.” 

“Perhaps I should have.” 

“I was shot trying to save you, doesn’t that mean anything to you?” 

“Of course it does… not first time you have shown me kindness.” 

“Then Icca’s brother finds me the next day and shoots down my two best friends, a judge and a sheriff. Because of my anger towards Icca for shooting you." 

“He is evil man.” 

“Something we agree on.” I hesitated as he approached me closely, looking in my eyes. I hesitated, not liking being in front of Icca’s office. “I’m not allowed to speak to him or I will be arrested. I punched him in the stomach, twice. Once for shooting you, once for shooting me.” 

“Trin… You do not like for ban men to harm chief do you?” 

“You had protected me several times before that. You asked for my help so I went running,” I shook my head. “I didn’t think you wanted my help anymore.” 

“I called because I knew you would come. We have protected each other.” 

“I didn’t have to come,” I said, looking away. I wondered if maybe I shouldn’t have.

“When you were sad, I gave you comfort. Do you remember?” 

“Then don’t do this now… Don’t take it out on the whole town. They’re not the ones who shot you. I remember, but you had seemed to have forgotten the number of times I went to you for help. Every time I needed protection or help I ran to you.” 

“No, I have not forgotten.” 

“Every time, Chief,” I swallowed. 

“And you know I would come to your aid and kill anyone who try to harm you.” 

“And then you ask me if I ever came to you each time. And you act like you don’t want direct contact with me so you send Adahy to be our go-between. Which I’ve respected.” 

“You know you could call me for help, do you not?”

“I didn’t go into your village armed. Even though it was at my danger to go through the passageway between here and there unarmed. Every time I came to the village with someone, it was with a man who had Native blood. And then that last conversation... It seemed like you had forgotten all of that. Then I come to your aid... to help you when you were down… Alone. With no concern for my own safety. And what do I get? My town is about to be burned to the stake. Not to mention the threat of taking me as captive to lure them out to you.” 

The chief looked over to his land and I backed up, looking at him as he said. “I must go!” 

“That’s it?” I blinked. “Just like that?” I called out as he walked off to his village. I swore under my 

breath and went over to Leu’s house. 

“Hello Miss Trin,” Leu greeted me. 

“We need to talk.” 

“Ok. Hope everything is ok?” 

“Nope.” 

“Oh no. Whats wrong?” 

“Just had my life threatened and the chief threatened to burn down the town. Chief said if I didn’t show him where Icca’s house was, he’d take me as captive to act as bait and get the palefaces to the village to find me.” 

“I somehow knew it was coming to this. And of course Icc is nowhere to be found I bet?” 

“Nope, he’s not in town. Thank God.” 

“I know his cohort has been lingering in the next town over.” 

“Not surprised,” I nodded. 

“So what the chief plans on doing is taking it out on this town for what one resident and another from another town did. He is trying to make war.” 

“I don’t know what to do, Leu.” 

“Nothing much we can do. We don’t have an army here to defend the town.” 

“Barely any lawmen…” 

“Barely anyone for all that goes.” 

“I’m thinking about splitting for the night… Go somewhere safe…” 

“My wife said she spied them gathering yesterday, their numbers were about sixteen.” 

“It’s a big tribe,” I nodded. “We should be prepared for the worst.” 

“We will pay the price for two idiots. Well there is nothing I can do anymore.” 

“Guess I should head out…” 

“Ok. Only thing to do is hide or tell the Chief what he wants to know.” 

“What does he want to know?” 

“As you said, where Icc lives.” 

“I told him…” 

“And that was still his reply?” 

“I don’t know why he has to deal with the whole town. I tried to get him to stop but he smelled smoke from the village and ran off…” 

“And he knows there is nobody here to defend the town. So there is nothing to ward him off or stop him.” 

“Guess not. You should get Mrs. Leu to safety.” 

“She is aware.” 

“I should head out of town.” 

“Okay. Be safe.” 

“Thank you Leu... Be safe as well.” 

“Take care,” Leu said as I left. 

Cripple Creek. 

I walked into the saloon and sighed when I saw Dutch. “Dutch, thank God.” 

“Heya Trin. What’s going on?” 

“I need to hang out here tonight… The chief just threatened to capture me if I didn’t tell him where Icca lived so I told him... And he’s threatened to take down the whole town because Icca and Annie shot at the chief and some of the others, including me.” 

“I see. Well I guess you’ll have to stick close by then… just in case.” 

“There’s gonna be a war, Dutch. I’ve tried to tell the chief not to go against the whole town but…” 

“This is in Georgetown?” he asked and I nodded. “Maybe I should swing by there. See what I see. Think I may, in fact.” 

“I need to stay here tonight…” 

“Well there’s plenty of folks around after about 6 to keep an eye on things just in case ya get tracked down. What’s with the red sash, darlin’?” 

“Keeping me warm.” 

“Ya know some outlaw wore those to be recognizable. Best be careful who spots ya with those. They were down mainly around Arizona and Texas areas but some folks get riled about the sash.”

I took the scarfs off and handed them to him. “Better?” 

He smelled it before handing it back to me. “Mmm… smells like you, Trin.” 

“Well of course it does, I wore it. Only for the past couple days,” I chuckled. 

“Well have ya a drink.” 

“I’d love to.” 

“I’m buyin’,” he said and threw a coin onto the bar. 

“Since my life is in danger?” I winked at him. 

“Seems like you’ve had a rough day or so of it.” 

“It all started the other day when I went out to help the chief after he’d sent me a wire saying he’d been shot down.I got shot in the process... By Icca. So then they capture the other one who was shooting at them, Annie or Anna or something.” 

“Ahh… the same day I woke up naked not knowin’ how I got there,” he mused. 

“Cut off some of her hair and Chief cut a bear symbol in her hand to remind her not to come back. While I was watching, as if I was supposed to be okay with it. So then… Icca’s brother comes and finds me in Colorado Springs the next day. I was talking to Clif and Adder about what had happened and I guess he heard me sayin I shoulda shot Icca right there and he didn’t like that so much. The idiot shot down a sheriff and a judge, Dutch.” 

“Damn, I’m glad I ain’t law in that town. For God’s sake, what’s wrong with the man?” 

“Right in front of me while I was hiding out inside the house looking out the window in fear. So now today... Chief comes to Georgetown looking all suspicious and he said I had to tell him where Icca’s office was.” 

“I see.” 

“He said I could do that or he could take me captive and use me as bait to lure the paleface out to Wyoming. So I figured it was easier just to show him the place.” 

“Hmm… not fun. Smart move.” 

“But then I tried to convince him not to burn the whole town down... He seemed relentless. He observed that I no longer trusted him and I was like ’can you blame me?’ So I gave him this whole spiel of all the times I trusted him and then he betrayed that trust by hiring a scout to be our only means of communication… And then he just looks at me and says he smelled smoke burning in the village and ran off. I had one conversation with the Native Affairs guy from Washington who lives in town, then packed my things and came here. You said somethin’ about a drink?” I looked at the bar. 

“Don’t got much use for the Native Affairs people. Take your pick,” Dutch invited. “Honor system 

and all that. ‘Sides, my brother owns the place.” 

I went over and poured myself a tall glass of whiskey. “So what’s new here?” 

“Not much. Just the Solo’s tryin’ to build the town up. Doing the best we can.” 

“You said something about a hotel?” 

“Yeah, it’s at the end of the street.” 

“Will have to check that out.” 

“Big ole buildin’. Hard to miss.” 

“I have the opportunity to take care of Icca... Not so legally…” I looked at him. “I’m still thinking about it.” 

“Not so legally?” 

“I have to meet him in Georgetown tonight if I want to let him.” 

“Be cautious…” he warned. 

“I don’t plan on going there tonight, not with the threat of a war.” 

“Sounds imminent, not threatening.” 

“But he could solve a lot of problems. He could probably take care of the chief too.” 

“Well, it’s a thing you have to weigh, darlin’. How much is your life worth?” 

“Seems like our version of justice ain’t workin... Still haven’t heard of a trial date for Icca yet. TJ is a federal judge and said there’d be one. Had expected it to happen by now. The natives seem to treat violence with violence. Heck, even the preacher I met last night came on to me.” 

“Well, you are right cute,” Dutch chuckled. 

“Our sheriffs have been non-existent. I’m the only Pinkerton who’s not out shooting Natives for sport other than Sam…” 

“Not a smart thing to be doin’. Indians are known to be mean fighters.” 

“Is why I’m staying here tonight. Nobody knows I come here.” 

“Well I’d offer ya room in the jail but it gets cold there.” 

“I’m only considerin’ it. I’m not actually gonna do it. At least I don’t think I am.” 

“I didn’t mean to lock ya up, silly. Just somewhere to lay your head.”

“What’s wrong with the hotel?” 

“Well, nothing at all. I sleep in the jailhouse myself.” 

“You don’t,” I said, shocked. 

“I do indeed. Don’t cost much. Er… nothin’ actually. And I’m there if I needed.” 

“Dutch... That’s not comfortable for you... I don’t like the thought of you sleepin there.” 

“Why not? Ain’t the first time I lay in a cell.” 

“It’s too cold.” 

“Well, I try to keep the fire good and warm. It’s just the stone keeps it pretty chilly. Wasn’t built for comfort.” 

“Dutch…” I started. 

“Yes Trin?” 

I sighed, remembering the several nights we slept together in Amiville. “I don’t want you sleeping alone if I’m in town tonight.” 

“Darlin’, I will most certainly keep that in mind,” he smiled at me. 

“Let’s go get a room. Then you can knock on my door if you’re alone. I need to rest for a bit now anyway.” 

Dutch had to take care of something at the office and I headed to the hotel, wondering if running away was really the best approach. I lay back on the bed and tried to relax. 

*** 

I walked into the saloon this evening and sensed tension in the air as I greeted everyone. I told Monte that I was staying at the hotel tonight and I remembered Tequila, the judge from Colorado Springs. She asked about my lawyer practice and said she was a judge in Cripple Creek now. I told her I decided to focus on being a Pinkerton. We talked about the trial in Colorado and she laughed about the memory. I got a drink and talked with Jared about how things were in Cripple Creek. I decided not to talk about the Native war since there was a child present. When the child ran out, I told them about the tension in Georgetown, hence the need for escape. The child came back and we continued to talk while enjoying drinks. I decided to head to the hotel and went to relax again. 

This evening I met a man named Rummuffin and we went to the saloon for a drink. There was still a crowd there and I heard a man growl, “Now, where can I find this Lukas scoundrel?” 

“Everything alright, Sheriff?” I asked Monte. 

“I aim to find him tonight and end him,” the man threatened. 

“Yea, at this time,” Monte nodded. 

Tequila stepped over to the man and tossed liquid into his face. I knew everything wasn’t fine as the man licked his face and said, “Thank ya darlin’. Better than that crap I was served.” 

“I’ll be sure to tell the marshall some asshole is lookin for him mister,” Tequila said to him. 

“You do that, precious,” he said. 

“What is it that you need Mr. Jared for? Maybe I can help you?” Monte asked then. 

“I reckon I’ll have that drink now… and not off my face.” 

We continued to drink whiskey and talked, trying to keep the mood light. The man finally introduced himself as Jim, though most called him ‘Boss’. I saw Jared walk over to the saloon and I went out to put a hand on his arm. 

“Yes ma’am?” 

“Man in there wants to see you. I don’t think it’s a positive meeting,” I spoke softly with Jared. 

“Mister Lukas,” Jim said. 

“What ya need?” Jared asked. 

“Just the man I was looking for,” Jim commented. “Missy ya might wanna get back into the saloon. Lukas…” 

“What’s up?” Jared asked. 

“You and me got some unfinished business.” 

“Perhaps I didn’t make my position clear, Jim,” I said the man’s name with bite. “Agent Trin Paige.” 

“Well missy Agent… Take your tin star yonder and get back indoors. Don’t want no innocents harmed.” 

I glared at him and looked over at Jared who said, “Ma’am, it’s fine.” 

“You’re a yeller traitor. Left your men for dead Lukas,” Jim glared. 

“Mister, state yer business.” 

“Ya ain’t got no place wearin a badge. I’m of a mind to shoot it off ya.” 

“Think ya got me mistaken fer someone else,” Jared said. 

“I don’t reckon I do, mister.” 

“Ain’t never left anyone fer dead.” 

I walked into the saloon but stayed close to the window to watch as they continued to argue. Monte walked out to deal with the situation and I wished Dutch or Josh were there. The guns came out and then all of a sudden Jared shot down Jim in self defence. I walked out slowly and Jared asked Monte to help carry the man to the hospital. I picked up the gun from the ground and promised to bring it to the hospital as I followed them close behind. I handed him the gun and we talked about his name. I listened to them banter but then backed up, not wanting to get in the way of their tension, but then saw that the man was dying and I looked away, not wanting to see another man die in front of me. I watched as they covered the body with a clean blanket and I started to get emotional as I walked outside. Monte came out to me and wrapped his arms around me, letting me cry on his shoulder. 

“I didn’t think he’d… I’ve seen too many people die in front of me, Monte. The last was a man I loved... very much… Shot down in front of me.” 

“I know how you feel.” 

“I deal with the mental part of law work. Solving cases, hearing things, meeting people... Like getting that man’s name for you. Men tend to be more informative with women,” I said, still shaking in his arms as he rubbed my back. 

“I appreciate the help you gave. Before I came here I was in the cavalry and the war. I seen a lot of this.” 

I nodded against him, frustrated with myself. “He seemed to know Jared…" 

“Sadly I can’t say that I even say that I knew him,” Jared said, coming out of the clinic. 

“There was a reason he wanted to shoot at Jared,” I said, composing myself from the emotion. 

“He may have just mistake him for someone other,” Monte said. 

“I think he maybe had me confused with someone else,” Jared said. 

“Didn’t seem like a mistake. He wanted to speak to Lukas. Came out of the saloon pretty determined he was the guy he wanted to talk to.” 

“I still don’t know why though.” 

“I know that little fireworks accident,” he said, referring to some of Jim’s last words. “Cost me my sight temporarily.” 

“What accident?” I looked between them. 

“But did you she the way he looked at the man he showed like not knowing him,” Monte said. 

“That was last July fourth,” Jared said. 

“I don’t know,” Monte shook his head. 

“His name was mentioned by a prisoner. That’s first I had ever heard of him.” 

“You seen him before?” I asked Jared, petting a dog that wandered over. 

“Maybe you should talk the dog over,” Monte said to me. 

“I have a wolf… In Georgetown,” I said and looked over at Jared. “Jared... I didn’t mean to intrude on your case... I just thought I could help. I figured he’d give his name more willingly to a woman. Which he did.” 

“I will need to ask Sheriff O’Connor see if he recognizes the name he mentioned,” Jack said. 

“I didn’t want that gun to just be left in the streets so I had to bring it here…” I said. 

“Yes, he did. All he told me was ‘Boss’,” Monte said. 

“Jim Boss,” I said. He said his name was Jim. But people call him Boss too.” 

“I will take that gun and put it bin the jail,” Jared said. “He mentioned the war.” 

“Did he?” Monte and I asked at the same time. 

“And people left behind, except I was here.” Jared sighed. “Well, why don’t ya head to the saloon while I take this gun and store it in the jail.” 

Gaide walked over then and I looked at him with tired, emotional eyes. Jared told him what happened and I went into the saloon with Monte as the dog followed me closely. I tried to hide my emotion over the incident and They talked about Christy’s scars and she showed them to Jared. They talked about her scars and she lifted her shirt and showed them. I was hesitant to stay and Monte offered to walk me to the hotel where I told him about what had happened in Georgetown and then went to into the room alone and slept.