Georgetown.
This morning I was walking around the mines looking again for Rocksman. I saw a woman that I recognized from town who’d been with the other man, asking if I was a new filly for their village. I sighed, knowing I had to go over and say hi and said, “Howdy Miss. Nice horses ya got there.”
She nodded to me and said, “That they are, sir… And gonna ask is there a reason you happened upon our camp? Could git ya shot, you know.”
“I’m actually a woman... and I was just on my way to the mines.”
“Well, looks like I need to get my eyes checked now, doesn’t it…?” the woman shook her head.
“No worries, ma’am. I won’t keep you. Have a good day now,” I said confidently and smiled at her.
“Well then, ‘ma’am, you’re free to pass.”
I nodded and rode on, having no idea where I was going. I rode into the village and saw that it was empty so I rode on.
I rode over to the Navajo village but no one was there. I went back to where the woman stood and asked her for directions to the mines. She pointed me in the way to go and I looked around, investigating the mines but finding nothing. I got up on Cleetus and rode around towards Bear River. I saw the chief and knew that I had to make the first move if I wanted peace.
“Chief?” I asked nervously as I approached him.
“Osiyo.”
“Osiyo, Chief.”
“What you want?”
I looked at him, not sure where to start. “I…” I sighed and shook my head. “I don’t know what I want anymore.”
“Then how I know if you don’t?” he looked at me, confused.
“I go through the town feeling lost... I ride out here and I feel like I don’t belong. I just…” I started to get emotional. “I just don’t know how everything got to be so wrong. Everything’s turned upside down. I miss…” I sighed, looking towards the village.
“What you miss?”
“I miss having a family, a place to call home when it’s dangerous. People that will welcome me with open arms no matter what my skin color or occupation. For months the Native tribes were just that... And now…” I wiped a tear from my eyes. “I’m sorry Chief.”
He pointed to the village and said, “Many will die now to pay for this… and the town will soon be in flames.”
“To pay for what, Chief? Surely this could be avoided... Could have been…”
“Now full war will come and soon. Time for talk with paleface is over.”
“Chief…” I looked at him.
“I have spoken. No more words with Paleface,” he said and I sighed. “Now we kill. We burn and we drive them from our lands.”
“It doesn’t have to…” I shook my head.
“Soon a great gathering of native nations will assemble here to fight them as one tribe. We will be many in number.”
“I guess I’ll just keep riding then. Apparently I’m not welcome here,” I sighed and rode on.
I looked around Mesa Verde, where the cavalry fort was, since it seemed I’d need to use it for safety soon. I dismounted and knocked on the big doors. A man came over and invited me into the fort. “Some thin’s botherin’ ya. C’mon let’s go sit down,” John, the soldier there, looked at me and led me inside. “Please. Now, tell me what’s got you lookin’ such a fright.”
I sat down in the chair shakily and looked over at him. “I’m sorry sir... You work in this fort..? You look familiar but…” I tried to remember who he was.
He laughed softly and said, “Yes, indeed Miss, you’re the Pinkerton agent aren’t you? We met briefly in town the other day. For the moment... it seems... I’m the commandin’ officer here. Buford, John Buford, 2nd Dragoons, Miss.”
“Right…” I nodded. “John... right... Sorry, my mind is all over the place right now.”
“’Sposin’ you let me on on why? Might bring us to where yer out this way,” he nodded.
“I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore... Or what I’m doing… I walk through town and I feel lost. I walk through Bear River and I feel like I don’t belong anymore. I have one case going on that takes me out to the mines in Georgetown West… So I just kept the circle going and rode through Bear River to here then back home. I just feel…” I sighed.
“Lost?”
I nodded. “Lost, and yet I know the way home. Does that make sense? There’s going to be a war, John... It’s already started.”
“I thin’ so, Miss. Sorta stretched thin, like butter spread over too much bread. Almost listless, like yer goin’ through the motions but not gettin’ anywhere?’
“I feel like it’s all my fault,” I sighed.
“All yer fault? Sounds like yer needin a bit of perspective, Miss. If you’ll excuse my sayin’ so. The problems of the world’re too much for anyone to take all the blame... even if’n they wants ta try…”
“But John... things were good. We had a good relationship going. things were peaceful... harmonious… I would go over to Bear River, talk with the Cherokee... I became their friends. I could go there when I needed protection. Then something shifted… I don’t even know what. I went out there when the chief was shot down and then I got shot down too… They didn’t even thank me. Then…”
“Well what changed? Is it you, is it them in Bear River, or maybe neither of y’all did anything an’ it’s just the sityation…"
“The chief threatened me in town in return for knowing where Icca lived, because he was the one who shot the chief down. I had to tell him. Then... I just stopped going over there. But then the natives were helping to heal our lawmen so I had to go there and thank them… But I still wouldn’t talk with the chief. And then the natives came and visited me one night and we talked about everything... It was the war chief and some others… They said we should go and talk to the chief that night, so I brought my boyfriend along who is a marshal… We go all the way out there... talked with the chief and war chief… We had to recap our whole journey together, he told his side and I told mine. He made it sound like I was a threat to them, like I was bringing the danger to them because I still hung out with paleface.”
“An’ did that clear the air?”
“Well... we agreed to disagree on our methods of dealing with the outlaws. I thought we’d hit some sort of truce. Then I see the chief in town with a couple of known outlaws in front of the bank. Then…” I choked and started to get emotional, looking down at the table.
John sighed softly and handed me a handkerchief. “Take yer time…”
“Then there was a big shootout in town the other night. Duke and Sam had them locked up and Adahy and Chief went over to collect them because they’d attacked their village too. They wanted to deal with the outlaws in their own form of justice. Duke agreed to give the outlaws to them after a day of being in our cells. Adahy seemed ready to go but then the chief got up in Sam’s face and the gunfight started again.”
“That much I remember. I was in town during that.”
“I was inside the whole time, just listening to all of this unfold. I wasn’t gonna go out there and get in the middle of it. Then the chief set the sheriff’s office with dynamite. Luckily I was far back enough... But they knew full well that I was inside. I know that they weren’t after me and they wanted the outlaws but... They’d promised to keep me out of it. They’d promised that if we were gonna go to war they’d spare me. And now…”
John let silence reign a moment before he started spoke slowly. “You know in all of that the’s just one thing that pops to mind… I don’t rightly see how any of it’s yer fault.”
“I just…”
“You’re just lost in the mix. I know the feelin’. Every trooper feels it. That first ride out as a Private, yer stuck right in, in the middle o’ tthings and chaos swirlin’ all around you. You wanna know which way to turn first, which hombre to shoot, but you just don’t know... sound familiar?”
I nodded and said, “Thing is I’m just a Pinkerton. We just investigate crimes. I know that once more gunfights happen in town I’m gonna be sitting there in my office ’cause there’s going to be no cases. The case I’m doing right now is a good one... and the payoff will be huge. The other day was a positive day for that with one piece of the case being solved. It’s moments like that that make me remember why I do this job; seeing the happiness on peoples’ faces when you return an item to them that’s been lost for years.”
“Well ifn’n that’s an issue, you come on out here... The boys can fight but they can also keep ya safe. Speakin’ of I’ll be right back, you just sight tingith, Miss.”
“I’ll stay here,” I nodded and watched him go.
After a while I heard movement at the top of the fort. I heard John shouting and then heard gunshots as I sighed, hearing John cry in pain. I sent out a quick telegraph from inside the fort, looking for a doctor and backup. Suddenly dynamite was thrown into the fort and I hid under the table, coughing and crying out for John.
The chief shouted, “Cherokee stay back! I throw another thunder stick at them!”
I saw Ahyoke on the top of the fort and looked at her pleadingly. “Ahyoke…”
“This woman is traitor to our people...but, worse yet she is a coward. I will leave you to live with your shame white woman,” another woman I didn’t recognize spit on the ground in front of me.
“She is dead to Cherokee,” said a man I didn’t recognize.
“Do not come to the village of our people. You will be killed if you do,” the woman threatened and turned away.
“Shame, Trin. I am really shamed,” Ahyoke said and walked away.
I shook my head, crying as I had no idea what I’d done wrong. All I’d ever done was try to help them and now they were trying to kill me.
“I’m here to help!” Robert shouted then from a distance.
“Y’all can clear the hell out my office now, if yer tryin ta make a point... it’s not been,” John shouted then, coming back. I walked out to him as the Cherokee left and my legs were wobbly.
“Cherokee, we go now! This teach them a lesson!” Chief shouted and then his voice got softer as he grew farther away.
“John…” I started, never more than happy to see him and Rob.
“You guys okay?” Robert asked but I shook my head.
“Will be!” John shouted back.
“Are you okay? Do you need a doctor?” Robert asked me.
I looked at him blankly, shock still all over my face. “I…. John… Where’s John?” I looked around, feeling more lost now than when I came in the first place. “Wasn’t Julia an outlaw…?” I asked, confused.
“I think I need a doc. I feel getting here,” Robert said, holstering his gun.
“I suppose now they all are,” John shrugged.
I wiped the tears from my eyes, shaking in shock and feeling myself getting weak in the knees.
“You an’ me both, Mister. Thanks for comin’ out,” John said to Robert.
“What happened? Robert asked. Shall we go after them?”
“Them Cherokees just attacked... fer no reason I can figure,” John said.
“I don’t want to face them,” I shook my head.
“Naw... Let ’em sit it out a bit. Hit ’em when it hurts,” John said.
“All the fire’s out I think,” Robert said and I sighed with relief.
A woman came into the fort then and Robert greeted her. “Hello Rosa.”
“Hello. Was held up by some boar,” the woman said.
“Rosa is my friend ya’ll,” Robert explained. “I’m gonna scout and see if they are gone.”
I stood close to John and reached out to him, feeling like I was going to fall. “John… Are you okay? Where were you shot?”
“I’ve taken worse... left thigh and right shoulder. The gun carriage is a bit shot up though,” John nodded.
I nodded, falling in his arms and hugging him close. He held me tightly with his good arm and stayed quiet as I shook in his arms, still upset at the Cherokee’s actions. “John... Take me home?”
“Sure, let’s go,” John said and we headed back to Georgetown.
Georgetown.
He paused with me by the stream, watching as the water babbled along, letting the noise drive the tension from us. I sighed as I collected myself a bit, feeling better being back home. John led me to my office and I took a deep breath, looking over at him. “Thank you for... Being here.. And getting me home.”
“I can hang around for a bit if you like, Miss Trin?” he shrugged.
I nodded, “I’d like that... Maybe we could go get a drink?”
“How about some grub to go with that? I’m starving!”
“That sounds like a plan,” I said and led the way to the saloon.
***
We sat in the saloon a long while, drinking whiskey and trying to get over the shock of the morning. “Quite the morning, eh?” I asked him at length.
“Yes. Are you feeling better now?”
“Any idea what that was all about?” I asked, not answering his question.
“Natives. They ran when I came in guns blazing,” Robert shrugged. “I shot over their heads and they tore out.”
“Am I feeling better? Let’s see... I went to the fort thinking I’d be well-protected. Instead I land up getting caught in an ambush, then somehow the Native chief magically shows up in front of the door I just happened to be in and blew it up with dynamite… Then two other natives come in, who haven’t been apart of the story much at all, and they call me a coward and a traitor and say I’m dead to the Cherokee. No, Robert, I’m not feeling better,” I sighed, not wanting to be harsh with him but still feeling upset.
“Well I think the only safe area is your own home.”
“So it would seem,” I said and sipped more of my whiskey.
“Well we could to practice shooting. That always makes me feel better.”
“No shooting. I might even just put the gun away for a while,” I shook my head.
“Now now. Get back on the horse. I went for a walk yesterday and was attacked by Navajo.”
“I’ve met a few of them.”
“You know we could go get some payback.That might make you feel better.”
“I’m not like that. I won’t solve every problem with a bullet. That’s counter-productive.”
“That’s why you’re the detective I guess. Cheers,” he clinked his glass to mine and drank a sip.
“Is why I investigate crime. I use my mind to solve problems, not my gun.”
“So tell me what do you know of the banks,” he said, changing the subject.
“The banks?”
“I have gone by to make a deposit but the banker is always drunk and passed out.”
“Sounds about right,” I nodded. “We need a new banker.”
“Well I was not sure.”
We walked out of the saloon and Robert observed and we talked with Naiya who was looking for the store. We gave her directions and I asked the woman if she knew of any healers from her tribe. I told her that Robert needed some help as her and a couple others shopped for supplies in the store.
“Niaya have there been any more attacks on your village? How is your Shaman?” I asked her as she started to take care of Robert’s wound.
“Well the Cherokee attacked the fort today and burned it. I got here just in the nick of time,” John explained. “They ran home when they saw me.”
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, Robert,” I looked at him.
“Yeah they would have cooked you in the fire.”
“John was already downed so he couldn’t rescue me…”
“Yes did he find a doctor?”
“We went to the saloon for lunch and a drink and then we headed home to rest,” I told him.
“Well I’m gonna head back to the saloon. Thirsty,” Robert said when Naiya had healed him.
“I’ll join you. Thank you, Naiya,” I said and headed into the saloon. We talked about the new saloon and hotel they were building and we went over to check it out.
***
Later this afternoon I saw Suzy walking over towards me.I went over to her and hugged her tightly as she was caught off guard, but hugged me back. “Hey Trin, you okay..?” I shook my head and held her tighter, “What’s the matter..? If you feel like talking that is..”
“My house?” I looked around nervously.
“Sure,” Suzy said and followed me to my place. We sat down on the couch and I pulled my knees up under me and looked over at her.
“I need to start fighting back. I’ve been hiding and laying quiet for too long. Will you help me learn how to snipe?”
“Well um.. I can sure try.”
“I went to the fort in Mesa Verde, thinking it would be safe to talk to John there,” I looked at her. “We were ambushed.”
“Oh my goodness..”
“I still don’t know why. We were talking in the office and all of a sudden there’s fires going off and natives are all in the village... Then they figured out where I was hiding inside and set dynamite to the door. I was just laying low... I didn’t want to get myself killed. Then they picked the lock to the office and three natives were there. They came inside and called me a traitor, said I was a coward.”
“The cherokee sure seem to be getting restless lately..” she nodded.
“All I ever did was try to talk to the chief and create some sort of bridge of peace. Without weapons. Everybody around here seems to think that bullets are the only way to solve problems. But maybe they’re right? Maybe I am a coward? Maybe I should just man up and face them and stop trying to play nice? They obviously don’t want me. I don’t know why I ever trusted them in the first place.”
She listened quietly and then said, “Because you were being friendly. Unfortunately, the indians don’t care.. you’re a white man.. I suppose it just comes to that.. Er woman.”
“I thought there was something unique about our relationship though... That they understood that all I wanted was peace and to help them. They never wanted my help.”
“The indians will never accept help from a white man.. they’re stubborn like that,” she said and I punched the pillow beside me. “I’m sorry Trin..”
“I don’t know if the ambush on the fort was because I was in there or for some other reason… Even if it wasn’t because I was there... How the hell did they know I was in that room? I spoke to the chief right before going to the fort... But there’s no way he could have watched me go.”
“Right… Yah know.. I’m a bit hesitant to attack the cherokee myself..”
“What’s been going on with you?” I asked her after a while.
“Well um, not much. I’m studying to be a vet around here…” Suzy said.
“That’s a good thing... Just wish there were more human healers around here. We’re gonna need ’em.”
“And lawmen.. and soldiers..”
“Well the amount of soldiers/gunslingers is increasing. They may not be lawmen... but at least they’re willing to fight on our side.”
“Right…” Suzy nodded. After a while she headed home and I got some writing done.
***
I was working in my office when I saw Kale walk in. “Hey there,” I greeted him.
“Hey,” he tipped his hat.
John and Anna walked in and I smiled at them as I greeted them. “We might want to stay in here. I have the feeling things are gonna get dangerous around here tonight,” I told them as I saw people running around outside. “How are you folks tonight?”
“What’s all the ruckus about?” Anna asked, looking out the window.
“Oh who the heck knows around here. I ain’t sittin lightly though. If they attack in here it’s game on. After the morning I had? No more Ms. Nice Trin,” I said and John chuckled. “I was ambushed at the fort in Mesa Verda this morning.”
“You mean fightin’ Injuns or Outlaws?” Anna asked as Kale leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette.
“Natives,” I looked at her and smiled over to Kale, feeling safer with him there. “Anyway enough about my day... How have things been with you two? I haven’t seen your cousin here yet,” I looked at Anna and John.
“Wasn’t it about 3 or 4 days since you sent that telegraph to my Cousin?” Anna said pensively.
I nodded and said, “No word from her.”
Gunfire rang out and I watched Kale perk at the sound. I started to walk over to the door and locked it, going back to sit in my chair. More shouting rang out as the banker down the street screamed, “YOU GET YAR HANDS OFFA MAH BERTHA!”
“I’m starting to have second thoughts about settlin’ down in these parts Miss Trin....seems to be lots of trouble ’round here,” Anna looked at me.
“John, you sure you don’t want to join our law team?” I looked over at him.
“GET OUTTA MAH BANK!” Rodney shouted again. I looked over at Kale, knowing I should get involved now that I wasn’t going to be taking things lightly anymore.
“I’ve been considerin’ and I think the town needs a greater level than it has…” John said as Kale continued to smoke.
I watched Sam running out as more bullets flew and then I looked over at Kale. “Folks, I’ll be right back. Kale, cover me?” I asked, drawing my gun.
“You got it,” he said, drawing his revolver.
“Stay safe in here, unless John wants to join us,” I looked from Anna and John and then back to Kale.
“You follow me out,” Kale looked out the window and said to me.
I nodded and went to unlock the door, following Kale outside. I told them I was going up on the roof and aimed down at the street. I saw a group near the bank, robbing it, and took aim from the balcony as I pointed my gun at the bank entrance. I saw Kale down in the street and watched from one side to the other. I then jumped down as Downy drew her guns and started yelling at the man and I ran over, telling Sam, “Sam, Kale and John are with me. That man there I don’t know but he was the one that lock picked the sheriff’s office a while ago.”
Sam took over as Downy moved away wounded and tied the man’s legs and feet, taking his gun and shoving them in his belt. “What on earth happened?” Downy asked.
“Kale, John and I heard shooting so we ran outside,” I explained. “I saw Sam running past,” I holstered my gun.
I looked around for John and asked, “Where’d john go? Wasn’t he with you?”
“I’m not sure. He was with me when the shooting started,” Kale looked over to me.
“Let’s go back to the office then I guess,” I waved to the others who had walked away. When we were in the office I said, “Well that was anti-climacitc. Thanks for covering us, John,” I said to John who’d returned to be with his wife.
“Just being there helped," he nodded.
“Good to have another set of eyes.”
“Was the bank robbed?” John asked.
Anna looked over at me and Kale and said, “Glad you both are safe, I was so happy to see my John walk back in the door””
“Thanks Kale,” I smiled at him as he nodded. “No idea what happened. Now then… Where were we?” I looked between John and Anna. “Ah yes, the cousin… Is it rare for her not to respond to things quickly?”
“Knowing that girl when she found out we were here she packed and hopped on the Stagecoach. You did tell her we were here?” Anna asked.
“I told her that you were here and to meet us at the Pinkerton office if she could come as soon as possible.”
“I haven’t seen her in ages, I hope she is on her way.”
“I do as well. We need to know how much she can tell us about this ranch hand. I really think she’s the key. If she was in love with him then she’ll certainly know enough about him. Maybe she’s still in contact with him.”
I saw a girl walk into the the office then and asked, “Can I help you?”
“Sadly no. Just wondering what all the commotion was thats all,” the woman said.
“Oh who knows. People round here think bullets are the only way to solve problems.” I looked over and saw Kale’s look of recognition and nodded in agreement, thinking she looked familiar.
“Is something the matter?” she brought her hand to her cheek.
“You tell us, Miss. Don’t think we’ve met before,” I said.
“Nope ya’ll haven’t. Name’s Freya. I just work at the saloon a little ways from this place,” she said.
“I know where the saloon is. Ain’t seen you there before and I’m there every day,” I nodded.
“I just started working there ma’am,” Freya said.
“Then I’ll see you around. I’m there often myself,” Kale looked her up and down and I chuckled.
“Excuse me for a moment....I need to run see if my order is ready at the mercantile,” Anna said then headed out of the office.
“Well I must be going. Need to stock up on some food,” Freya said then.
“Pleasure to meet you,” I said and thought to myself, I think.
“Nice meeting you all and I hope I get to see you again sometime,” Freya smiled.
“Is a small town. I’m sure we will,” I nodded and the woman walked out.
I looked between the men and said, “Well that was odd.”
“Very. S’cuse I should check on my wife,” John said and headed out of the office.
Kale walked over and I looked at him. “Thanks, Kale. I appreciate your help in here. Getting sick of being a sitting target alone.”
“I understand,” he shrugged, removing his hat. “Would you mind if I had a seat?” he gestured to the table.
“Go for it,” I nodded and he sat down. Anna walked back in and I smiled at her. “Welcome back. John went to go check on you.”
“I know, he’s such a darlin’. So I am so anxious to see what my cousin remembers about this Rocksman fella,” Anna said.
“As am I,” I nodded.
“Any way you could send a telegraph to one of the Stagecoach stops between here and Colorado Springs to see if they have a passenger named Vivianna Sorea,” Anna looked at me.
“Sure, I could do that.” I went over to the telegraph machine and sent a telegraph to the stagecoach in Wyoming. “Looking for a woman... STOP... Goes by the name of Vivianna Sorea... STOP... Please send reply asap if this woman is on your stagecoach... STOP.”
After a while Anna looked at the door and said, “Trin, I think I hear the stagecoach.”
“Oh do you? Let me back you up and walk out with you,” I said and we walked outside.
Out of nowhere, Anna screamed, “VIVI!!!!” She ran over to the woman who had come over and said, “Trin, this is my cousin Vivianna Sore.”
“Well Vivianna, pleasure to meet you!” I smiled and shook her hand.
“Pleasure to meet you. Thank you for trying to help my cousin,” she smiled at us.
“It’s my pleasure. She’s a wonderful woman,” I smiled. “We’ve been waiting for your arrival.”
“Awww ma’am you can say that again. They don’t come any better than Anna,” Vivi said.
I smiled and looked between the two ladies. “Shall we go inside?”
Anna blushed and said, “Oh now don’t go on Vivi, you haven’t seen me in years.”
“Miss Trin, it seems from your telegram that you want to bring up memories from my past,” Vivi said.
“Let’s go inside and chat,” I nodded.
“Of course, I am really parched from the trip. Any chance I could get a cool glass of water?”
“Certainly,” I said and we walked inside where I got Vivi a glass of water as we sat down.
“Vivi this lady is so kind. She has taken us under her wing just like little birds that fell from a nest,” Anna said.
“My Goodness John Hawkins as I live and breathe. I figured you would have gotten yourself kilt by now,” Vivi smiled seeing John. “No wonder my cousin loves you....you must be a little smarter than all the rest.”
“Let’s all have a seat,” I smiled at the group. “So... where do we begin?” I looked at Vivi and asked, “When was the last time you saw the ranch hand name Rocksman?”
Vivi looked over at Anna and asked, “It appears that you are here trying to find out who stole the deed to Pawpaw’s mine, right?”
“Yes. Vivi. Miss Trin here is wanting to find out what all you remember about that ranch hand Rocksman that worked for a while for Pawpaw,” Anna nodded. “If I remember correctly you had a thing for him,” she chuckles and Vivi started to blush deep red.
Out of nowhere we heard an explosion down the street and shouting. I muttered and swore, “Damn it, not again. Twice in one day…”
“There is entirely too many gunfights here for my liking,” Anna muttered and I couldn’t help but agree. I wished to myself that I could just focus on my case for more than ten seconds at a time.
“Miss Trin, is is always like this here?” Vivi asked.
“Only the last few days,” I shook my head. “Never used to be this violent.”
“Well, ain’t it just my luck,” Anna muttered.
“We’re safe enough in here, ladies,” I assured them.
“Ok Miss Trin, should Vivi go on?” Anna asked.
“Yes... Tell me what you can remember of him, please. Any detail would be relevant, even if you think it’s minute,” I said.
“Ok, here goes. First I bet you are wondering why my last name is Sorea instead of Smithson. My real daddy was Anna’s uncle, but he was gunned down in a barroom brawl somewhere down in Texas or at least that’s what my mama always said,” Vivi told us and I wrote notes as I listened. “My step father was a frenchman her mother met and married after my father died.”
I looked up then when John came in the door. “What’s goin on out there?”
“I guess more than anything you want to know how I met Mr. Rocksman, don’t you? I used to spend the summers up at Pawpaw’s ranch helping around the place to earn a little money,” Vivi went on.
“Five maybe six outlaws coming our way,” John told us.
“That’s what I want to know about,” I nodded to Vivi and sighed at John’s announcement.
“Go on hon, don’t be shy,” Anna told her cousin as we tried to ignore the gunfight outside.
“Oh my goodness, what on earth?” Vivi asked then, hearing the gunshots. “It’s very hard to concentrate with the gunfire out there.”
I smiled seeing Kale walk back into the office and he smiled back.
“What are they shooting about?” Vivi asked.
“I’ll be back,” Kale said to John and headed back outside.
I sighed and looked back at Vivi. “"So you worked for your grandfather at his ranch and that’s where you met Rocksman,” I prompted her to continue.
“Do you want me to try to go on?” Vivi asked and I nodded. “Yes ma’am. It was his job to care for the horses. I love horses so I would go out to help any way I could. I remember his skin always smelt like the fresh rolled oats he feed the horses on the ranch. He was always very relaxed when he was caring for them and that’s when he did most of his talking. His skin always smelt like the fresh rolled oats he feed the horses on the ranch. He was always very relaxed when he was caring for them and that’s when he did most of his talking. His skin always smelt like the fresh rolled oats he feed the horses on the ranch. He was always very relaxed when he was caring for them and that’s when he did most of his talking. His skin always smelt like the fresh rolled oats he feed the horses on the ranch. He was always very relaxed when he was caring for them and that’s when he did most of his talking. His skin always smelt like the fresh rolled oats he feed the horses on the ranch. He was always very relaxed when he was caring for them and that’s when he did most of his talking. His skin always smelt like the fresh rolled oats he feed the horses on the ranch. He was always very relaxed when he was caring for them and that’s when he did most of his talking..”
I nodded and smiled as the woman repeated herself. I heard more shooting outside and swore again. I knew I had to go out there and drew my gun, opening the dor. Downy told me to look out and suggested we went up to a balcony where we could do a bit of sniping. I whispered to Downy to tell me who the targets were and she said they were the outlaws Josey was fighting.
I saw TJ on the floor of the gunshop with a dog over him and sighed. “What the hell’s going on out there Sam?” I asked.
“Oh lookie here, an old judge gone bad,” Downy observed and slapped his cheek.
“An outlaw gone judge gone outlaw,” I sighed.
Sam walked into the room with a limp and said, “Been a long time since I seen my own blood those bastards are gonna burn.” He looked down at TJ and spit on the floor as I stood beside my boss. “Well I reckon we need to find the wounded, Trin, and get em patched up asap. We need men with guns and we need to get ready for anything.”
“Are them bandits all gone love?” Sam asked.
“You got any good sniper rifles you’re willin’ to give me? I’m a bit low on cash right now,” I looked at Sam but then said, “I need to get back to the office. Am in the middle of a Pinkerton case interview. You’ll be alright out here?”
“Alright,” Downy nodded.
I headed back to the office and kale was looking between the women. “Are you two alright?”
“Yes Sir....a little skeered with all these guns going off ’round here,” Anna said.
“You alright, Kale?” I asked him.
“Yeah this ain’t but a mosquito bit,” he said before looking back to Anna. “Well don’t worry none.. the Law has drove em off for now.”
I sat down and said, “Sorry about that, ladies. Maybe we’ll get to focus on a case now.”
“Well thank you Mr Kale,” Anna said.
“Want me to try to continue?” Vivi asked.
“Yes please,” I nodded and pulled back out my notebook. “You were saying he was comfortable around the horses… Was the time that he liked to open up and talk.”
Anna tipped his hat to Anna with a wince. “No problem, ma’am.”
“He had a scar above his right eye...told everyone he got it when cracked on head with a beer bottle while he was messing with some saloon girl.Truth known - he was really softhearted and was trying to stop some cowpoke from manhandling a new girl at Jake’s Saloon in Camp Collins. He was working as a driver for the Overland Stage Company at the time and Camp Collins was one of their regular stops. He started with the company when he was a young boy, but was fired when he was suspected of shootin’ his mouth off about what the stage was carrying within ear shot of a member of a gang,” Vivi explained. I nodded, knowing that would cause some tension.
“See Trin, didn’t I tell you she still had feelings for him. Just look at her, she shakes when she talks about him,” Anna mused.
“You’re right, she definitely does,” I smiled and wondered if they could see I still had feelings for Kale, but I didn’t say anything and tried not to look at him.
“Miss Trin, I had an exhausting trip today. Any chance I could get a room at the hotel and continue this tomorrow?” Vivi asked.
“Of course you can. I don’t mean to make you stay so long. The gunfights caught me off guard,” I nodded. “I should get some rest as well. It’s been a long day,” I looked at Anna knowingly.
“I am spent from excitement. Seeing my cousin again, plus all these gunfights. I am ready to take a hot bath somewhere,” Anna said.
“I can agree with that. There’s a boarding house across from the saloon. Should be some rooms there, but I do know they’re creating a bigger hotel/saloon soon,” I told them.
“Well, it was really nice to meet you. Hope your day tomorrow is a little quieter,” Vivi smiled at me.
“You and me both, miss. Good to meet you too.”
We said goodnight and I sighed as they left the office. I headed home, ready to go to bed after a long, emotional day.
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