February 19, 1870

Colorado Springs.

This morning I was wandering around town and greeted Chelsea and Jake on their way over to the saloon. I joined them and we talked with Roy and Adder who arrived soon after we did. “Three marshals and a sheriff... I feel safe now,” I winked over at Chelsea. 

“Just watch for those stray bullets,” she smiled at me. 

“So are ya guys ready to head North tonight?” Jake asked, looking around. 

“Up north?” I looked over. 

“What time you heading out?” Adder asked. 

“Yeah just somethin’ we need to take care off," Jake waved his hand at me. 

“I will be ready ya know that,” Chels said. 

“How about at 2pm?” Jake suggested and I nodded, missing being on the inside track of the law when they used to tell me things and ask for my help. 

“She??” Jake looked at him. 

“You mean Adsila?” 

“Sounds good to me,” Chels nodded. 

“No Roy. That’s the Ute. To the South,” Adder told him. 

“No Marshal Roy, I’ll fill ya in on the way up there,” Jake shook his head. 

“I reckon I’m not up to date…” Roy said and I traced my finger around where my badge used to be, feeling like I was missing apart of myself. 

“We’ll fill ya in Marshal,” Jake smiled at him. Marcus walked in then and Jake told Roy about the new outpost. 

“This place is growing,” Chels looked at Marcus and the other private. “How many men now here at the fort?” 

“But that’s really great,” Roy said. 

“Indeed it is... Especially with these attacks lately,” Jake nodded and I drank my coffee quietly as they continued to talk about the outing. I stood and looked at Jake, then decided to head back to my office after glancing at Adder before heading home. I thought about how I knew the area up north well, since I spent so much time there, but I knew it wasn’t my place anymore. I sighed, wandering over to the courthouse and thinking I should embrace the role of attorney since they didn’t seem to have any intention in including me in their plans. 

I walked over to say hello to Frank in his office and asked, “Frank, you busy?” 

“Come in, ma’am. Just done with the witness.” 

“Howdy miss,” Free looked up at me. 

“Have a seat,” Frank invited me. 

“Just thought I’d come by and see if anything was... ‘witness?’” I stopped. “Witness for what?” 

“That the lady I see goes in to mayors office at night then lights go off at night daddy,” a little girl in the office looked up at me. I looked at her, wondering if she remembered me. 

“Hope you liked the vase I brought you,” Free said to Frank. 

“Well to tell mayor did all to scare those horses off,” Frank said and nodded. “Yes ma’am. Now what are the charges against my client?” 

I looked between them, wondering who was going to fill me in. 

“Not charges yet, Frank,” Free smiled. 

“Sheriff and marshals think Mrs. Free stole horses,” Frank told me. 

“Oh?” 

“I buy horses for the U.S. army since the poor Mr. Stonesoul got so tragic at his end.” 

“Hello miss Trin,” Poppet, the daughter, smiled up at me as I pulled out my notebook and started to write notes for the case, putting ‘State vs. Free Feather’ at the top. 

“Look at the mayor. You believe she ever would steal a horse?” Frank asked. “She was harassed by those horses. Stalked, followed, nearly run over.”

“I saw horses stalking her,” Poppet put in. 

“So she bought them from Chief Sitting Horse,” Frank told me. 

“And saw her try to make them go away,” Poppet added. 

“Horses were stalking her?" I raised an eyebrow. “Chief? Which CHief?” 

“I bought the horses from the Indian Chief,” Free told me. 

“Sitting Horse in Texas,” Frank said. “I assume he stole the horses and sold them to the mayor.” 

“I don’t know if he stole them, Frank,” Free said. “He told me they were his horses.” 

“Which native chief?" I asked, looking between them. I wondered if it was the one that Jake and the marshals had mentioned earlier. 

“I suggest the sheriff or marshal find that native,” Frank tapped his desk with his cane, “Before accuse innocent, fine, honest people. Mayor did so much for this town. As I seen the paper where Chief signed the selling, mayor payed blankets, moonshine, and bullets to that chief.” 

“Which Chief?” I looked at Frank directly, wanting an answer. 

“Sitting Horse. He live somewhere in Texas.” 

“Oh…” I sighed with relief that it wasn’t Standing Bear. 

“And as we all know natives love to steal horses,” Frank slammed a Bible on his desk. “Mayor sworn on it she not stole a single horse.” 

“Nope, I did not steal a single horse,” Free shook her head. 

“And mayor, I will sell that Native land for you. Not worried. Will be worth more than gold when they hear railroad comes. I mean unless desert ground.” 

“Frank, Does the sheriff have any evidence against Free?” I asked. 

“Not a single one. He confiscated the horses and the money. It is a shame. Real shame how they treat this innocent, hard-working woman.” 

“Which marshal was it?” I asked. 

“Mayor? The name of the marshal? Was Miss Chelsea?” Frank asked her. 

“Marshal Jakob. He was looking from me to gallows, smiling all the time. Was sad.” 

“Will talk to that marshal too,” Frank nodded. “And sheriff Adder has 1500 in paper money in his pocket belonging to mayor.” 

“I’ll talk to him first, since he’s the one I’ll be working with,” I looked at him seriously. “Oh does he?” 

“Yes he take my money, and I wait to get it back,” Free said. “Better take that sheriff in court..” 

“And this is a case unrelated to the horse theft accusation?” I asked. 

“Well as the mayor’s lawyer, I want to be there when you speak to him.” 

I looked at him seriously and said, “I walked in here when you were talking alone with your client. I get the same privilege with mine.” 

“Yes, Frank paid me for the horses and sheriff take it from me,” Free said. 

“Well then you should have come earlier, ma’am,” Frank looked at me. 

“Why did he take it from you? Had I known about it, I would have Sir,” I said pointedly. 

“Because he think I stole the horses..” 

“So this is two cases within one case.” 

“He say as long not solved he keep it and will get it to the saloon I think,” Frank closed his file and locked it in a safe. 

“Guess I’ll go off to find the marshal or the sheriff then if there’s nothing else you both need to tell me?” I looked between them. 

“I will soon bring the gold from our mining to the bank ma’am. We found a good spot in Kansas East,” Frank said. 

“Yes because how long can he hold my money!?” Free nodded. “I need it.” 

“Well we want that that chief is found. His name is Sitting Horse I believe?” Frank asked. “You prove those unmarked horses not sold by him,” he grinned at Free. “I will go back to our mine in Kansas East.” 

“I will be in touch,” I said and walked out as Free and Frank thanked me, though I was working for the other side. 

I headed to the saloon and smiled when I saw Despres standing by the bar with some others. “Despres, you busy?” 

“Just tryin’ to figure out what Soldier Buu has robbed and striped naked,” Jake nodded. 

“I ain’t killed any soldiers in a long time,” Buu grinned. “Not since I got this sword here.” 

“Can I help you with anything, Miss Trin?” Chels asked me. 

“I see... Well I guess servin’ down with Mr. Marcus will do ya good,” Jake narrowed his eyes. 

I looked between Jake and Buu and said, “I need to talk to you about a case that’s been brought to my attention, Despres.” 

“But I must say Harley ..Ya sure look nice in that uniform!” Twist commented.

“Was wondering if we can talk privately in my office?” I asked hopefully. 

“What’s up, Miss Trin?” Jake looked at me. “Sure… Are ya comin’?” he looked at Chels. 

“Just Despres,” I shook my head. 

“Well I am a marshal as well, Miss Trin,” Chels nodded. 

“Hmm… Alright,” Jake nodded. 

“I understand that, Chels, but Despres is the one who is behind this case so I need to talk to him about our position before we go up against Frank,” I said to her and headed for the door. 

“Well if it’s the case I am thinking, the sheriff is,” Chels said as she followed us. 

“It’s a case between Despres and the mayor. Surely you could give us just a few minutes to discuss it?” 

“Well I see some don’t see me as a marshal,” Chels turned and walked back to the saloon. 

I sighed and sat down at the table indicating for Jake to have a seat. “I was just speaking with Frank about the accusations on Mayor Free Feather stealing those horses. They said that you and Adder were the ones who brought it to his attention... “ 

“It ain’t public yet until I go check on her story. We merely suggested it, but for now nothin’s out in the open until I can go to Texas,” he shrugged. “Yeah I understand, and if it turns out that she’s been takin’ horses from Texas and sellin’ them up here we’ll have to trial her.” 

“Of course. I’d just like to be kept in the loop if we do have to take this to court. Because I assure you Jake, they will fight this.” 

“It’s probably just a misunderstandin’ and don’t wanna set heaven and earth in motion for this, so…” 

“Frank had that look in his eyes.” 

“Well yes, he was part of that deal and therefor personally involved, so…” Jake shrugged. 

I looked up from my notes and said, “I’m tryin to help you here, Jake. If we’ve got a case against them then I’m here for you and the sheriff. You know I’m undefeated,” I winked. 

“So am I,” he chuckled and patted his colt. “But yeah, of course things would be best if she was trailed for her thefts, but in any case the Sheriff, Marshals and I will make her pay, that is IF she actually stole them horses…” 

“I understand. And when you need to take it to court, I’ll be here.” 

“That’s mighty good to know…” he said and darted his eyes over at the telegraph machine. 

“I’m sorry about Chels though. I just didn’t want to talk to anyone who wasn’t directly involved with the case. As you say, it ain’t made public yet.” 

“She was there too... We all were there talkin’ about it earlier this mornin’…” 

“I didn’t know that information. The only marshal Free and Frank mentioned was you. Spose she won’t talk to me now though,” I sighed. 

“Well no, Sheriff Adder and Marshal Seetan was there as well.” 

“Good to know,” I nodded. “Can you tell me what actually happened?” 

“To begin with we saw the Mayor ride into town with a pack of horses... She went up to the Outpost and then later came back and was handed some coins for the horses by Mr. Frank... That’s more or less all there is to know, we had our own thoughts on it though and also where she might have had those horses from, I mean, we asked and she said Texas.” 

“So Frank was taking horses from Free that she somehow retrieved from Texas... Seems a little out of the way.” 

“Yeah, it does,” he nodded. “I mean, I don’t think Mr. Frank had anythin’ on his mind then doin’ a good deal once he saw one, in other words, I don’t think he would know if she had stolen them or not.” 

“What do you know about Chief Sitting Horse?” 

“Don’t know anythin’…” he raised a brow. 

“Don’t know anything about him or his tribe?” 

“Never heard that name before…” he said and shrugged. 

“Hmm…” 

“Who’s he?” 

“Guess I’ll have to ask Adder about that one.” 

“Sure,” he nodded. 

“Nothing else you can tell me, Marshal?” I asked him. 

“Not really no, but maybe I’ll be a bit wiser when I return from Texas.” 

“Alright. Well, you know I’m here. Keep me posted?” 

“Sure,” he said and headed out of the office. 

I walked down the street and followed Adder into the office. “So what’s up?” Adder asked as we took a seat. 

“Been made aware of a possible case against the mayor. It ain’t public yet but I want to get all the information I can from our side before it goes that far.” 

“The horses?” he nodded. 

“Indeed,” I nodded. “She mentioned something about you taking money from her?” 

“I’m holding the money the army paid her for the horses, until this gets cleared up.” 

“The army paid for the horses?” I asked curiously. 

“Aye. That ‘Black Hand Gang’ fella was contracted to buy horses for the army. Then he got rabies and claimed the Mayor and I stole the horses.” 

“The black hand gang? This all goes back to them?” I choked. 

“Then someone murdered him. An army captain turned up, some drunk Irish dog, and hired Frank Ingalls to buy more horses for the army. Aye it does. Though that ‘gang’ was just one man. A very ill, deranged man.” 

“Who murdered him?” I shook my head, shocked. 

“No idea. He was found with a knife in his back, so I’m told. Ingalls had him buried. Rather quickly I might add. He was in the ground before I knew he was dead.” 

“Ingalls had him buried?” I raised an eyebrow. 

“Aye.” 

“Wait let me get this straight... the Black Hand gang guy gets murdered, an army captain shows up, then hires Frank to buy horses for the army,” I looked at him. 

“Yeah, that’s right. So Ingalls bought more horses from the mayor for the Army today. It seemed suspicious, so the Marshals and I stepped in. The leader of the gang gets murdered, Frank buries him rather quickly…” 

“Now Free is being accused of stealing horses for Frank?” 

“That gang leader was also the man who the army ORIGINALLY hired to get the horses, they turned to Ingalls after the first guy died.” 

I shook my head in amazement, wondering how the chief in Texas fit into all this, but I didn’t know if I could say anything about that. “Why did they turn to Ingalls?” 

“Cos he’s a goddamn busybody. Got to stick his nose into everything, especially if theres money involved. And I don’t believe he’s  a lawyer who stands on the side of justice, if you catch my drift Reckon he’d know a few, lets say, ‘characters’.” 

“I’m well aware of that, believe me,” I nodded. “So facing him in court could get... interesting.” I leaned my elbows on the desk and asked, “What do you know about the Chief over in Texas?” 

“Trying the town mayor for a crime which carries a sentence of death by hanging, that could also get interesting. Which one? Damn indians have a chief for war, chief for peace, chief for farting.” 

“Chief Sitting Horse?” 

“I know their head chief, a woman. Had her in the marshals cells last week in connection with the body parts that keep showing up. Sitting Horse?” he shook his head. “No, cant say I know the name.” 

“I need to talk to him,” I sighed, disappointed. 

“I would strongly advise against it. The Texas Ute have been trying to destroy this town for a few weeks now. They’ll scalp you as soon as look at you.” 

“Then I guess I have to wait until this case actually goes public to do anything else,” I swallowed hard. 

“Aye you will. If they’re claiming those horses came from the Ute, I’d put money on it being a lie,” he nodded and I looked at him, wondering how well he could read my thoughts. “Those horses weren’t branded, but they’re too fine to be wild. Got to be native. You got any contacts in our Apache tribe?” 

“Not yet, no,” I shook my head. “Maybe I should start using my wiles with the Natives again for information on this guy. Of course it could all backfire on me like it did with the Cherokee.” 

“Might be worth making some. I’d wager those horses came from a tribe. Now you want to speak to the Ute? So I’m guessing they’re claiming thats where Free got them. That would be hard for you or I to prove, given the Utes general hostility to this town. I doubt we’d get close to their camp,” he said and I sighed, knowing that was exactly what i had to do but I didn’t know how to go about it. “We had some cattle stolen last night.” 

“Did you?” 

“Apaches were in town, then a fire broke out in the blacksmiths. When the fire was put out, the Apaches were gone, and so were some cattle.” 

“One more thing on the Natives before we go there.. The Cheyenne and the Ute... What’s their relationship like?” 

“Cheyenne? Where are they based?” 

“Kansas. Hawk’s tribe.” 

“Not seen Hawk or any Cheyenne I know of with the Ute.” 

“Too bad…” 

“Seen the Cherokee Chief here in the last Ute raid though.” 

“So the Cherokee and the Ute are tight then?” I raised an eyebrow. 

“Aye, seems so. Put a bullet in him and his squaw.” 

“Figures,” I sighed. I knew there was no way I could get back into Bear River but maybe Canna could. 

“It’s up to the mayor to produce evidence of her innocence." 

“We need to have evidence of her guilt though," I nodded. 

“True. Guess you need to find where the horses came from.” 

“I have my suspicions already but I need to get with the Natives somehow again. It’s the only way I’ll figure anything out around here.” 

“Aye,” he nodded. 

“Guess I’ll head home and write some notes on this. Thanks for the information, Adder. I told Jake and I’ll tell you... If you guys take this to court I’m here for you.” 

“Thanks Trin,” he nodded and I reached out to shake his hand before heading back home. 

I went up to my apartment and changed into my Native outfit. I saw Tom walking up the stairs and smiled. “Welcome home, darling.” 

“I missed you. How’s your day going?” 

“Better now. I’ve actually been deep in a case,” I smiled and went over to him, kissing him. 

“Oh? what about? Or can’t you tell me?” 

“Well.. it’s a potential case, so not really public yet. But I do need your help with something,” I rested my hands on his hips. 

“Anything, just name it." 

“I need to ride over to Bear River…” I said with hesitation. 

“Isn’t that some dangerous territory?” 

“It’s where the Cherokee live,” I looked at him. “Thing is... I need to get good with the Cherokee again somehow, it’s the only way I’ll figure out this case. There’s someone over there who still thinks highly of me... her son came over here yesterday and was singing my praises from her. I think I can use her to get back into the Cherokee somehow, and then possibly get with this other tribe that’s involved in this case, allegedly.” 

“I suppose we could go there then. It doesn’t sound too bad.” 

“I’m still anxious about going into that area but I know it’s what I have to do. And not just for this case,” I sighed and leaned my head on his shoulder. “Shall we?” 

“Sure, let’s go,” he nodded and led him outside. 

We went to Bear River and looked around the cabins, but didn’t see anyone so we went back into town. We sent a wire for Conner to meet us at the office and it wasn’t long before Conner and a woman he introduced as his wife, Ketarina, came by. Ketarina was holding a baby who Conner introduced as Wyatt. 

We walked into the office and sat down at the table when I’d made some tea. “So Conner... I was wondering if you could help me with something…” 

“How can I be of service to you Miss Trin?” 

“You know how you said your mother lives over in Bear River..” 

“Yes…” 

“I have had kind of a ... tense history with the Cherokee… I used to be good with them but then some things happened and now I’m kind of their number one enemy for no reason at all.” 

“Who doesn’t?” 

“The thing is… I need some intel.” 

“I can tell you what I know.” 

“I need to know about the Ute chief, Chief Sitting Horse. I know that the Cherokee are tight with the Ute…” 

“I have never met him.” 

Somehow I need to get to be friends with the tribe again so that I can find out something aout the Ute chief. Then I realized that your mother lived over in that area and you said she had good connections with them.” 

“Well, they don’t really trust me. I had a cabin in Forest grove and they burned it to the ground and killed my Girlfriend Raven.” 

I looked at him quickly, the name Raven bringing back a thousand painful memories. “She ran with Bill’s gang, didn’t she? That’s the Raven we’re talking about?” 

“Let’s say, they would wonder why I was so friendly. I knew her as the mayor assistant in Forest Grove.” 

“Anyway that’s here nor there,” I coughed a little. Tom didn’t know that history yet and I wanted to leave the past where it belonged. “Your mother... she has good connections with the Cherokee, right?” 

“She loves them I think.” 

“Would you be able to talk to her for me? And ask her if we can get together sometime? We went over to Bear River but she wasn’t at her cabin.” 

“Sure. I’m sure she will be here often enough to see the baby.” 

“That’s true. Congratulations on that, by the way,” I smiled. 

“Thanks.” 

“Your wife seems to be doing well too,” I observed as Ketarina had gone out to take care of the baby. 

“She is unearthly strong.” 

“’m glad we were able to meet... Usually I would’ve just gone over to the Cherokee myself but with the history I don’t think it’s wise. Even with my bodyguard here," I winked at Tom. 

“Well I’ll put it to Mother to ask why there is a break between you and the Cherokee.” 

“I’m pretty sure I know why... And that break will never be fixed I’m thinking. Not unless one of us decides to be the bigger person.” 

“Oh, what do you think did it?” 

“I have the feeling it’s because of our differences in opinion with how we treat outlaws… They’re a bit more... violent than we might be.” 

“So they hate you cause you coddle outlaws?” 

“See Conner... I’m a firm believer that tension can easily be solved by more than just bullets. I tried to create peace by discussion, by understanding both sides of the story.” 

“Well, you know I am the only deputy in Amiville that doesn’t own a gun,” Conner laughed. 

“I hadn’t even noticed. I just assumed.” 

“I am a follower of the Peaceful Path. I like words over bullets too.” 

“I used to be a lawmen out east. Never really needed a gun, till i got past the state of indiana. It seems like everything out this way is solved by a gun or a rope,” Tom put in then. 

“And it’s crazy. Because the only thing a bullet or a rope does is make more tension. If people understood each other better and understood why they had the mindsets they do..” 

“I will uphold the law, but I don’t like guns,” Conner said. 

“But the Cherokee’s patience grew thin I suppose and they wanted to see action,” I sighed. 

“I lived where the Delaware, and Lenni-Lenope indians were. Never had any troubles like this. I think I was attacked twice on my travels over here,” Tom said. 

“Miss Trin I am going to say something to you that you will find unpleasant and you will want to resist it. I could talk with Mother and the Cherokee and try to make them love you again, but that takes away their choice not to like you. Sometimes you have to let people be who they want to be even if it is your enemy.” 

“Maybe it’s just a bridge that can’t be mended…" I nodded. 

“I think if you keep the door open then eventually you will be able to meet as friends again. You cannot make people be nice to you.” 

“They’re the ones that slammed the door shut in my face,” I looked at him. 

“If a bridge was destroyed, a new one can be built,” Tom said. 

“Yes Tom,” Conner said and I sighed. “Trin you keep focussing on the gap, the break and not focussing on the possibility of friendship again.” 

“No new bridge is easy to build. You need the work from both sides of the river,” Tom said. 

“I’m afraid the other side of the river will have more resistance than I have.” 

“Then let them. You will know that you tried your best,” Conner told me. 

“But have I? Or am I letting them win by not just going over there and talking to them directly?” 

“Why don’t you write a heart felt notecard and I will deliver it for you,” he suggested. 

“They don’t read,” I looked at him. 

“Mother can read it to them.” 

I looked at Tom, unsure of the idea, though it was definitely something I hadn’t tried yet. “Could always try it,” I shrugged and sighed, knowing I’d need them if I was ever going to prove my side of this case. I saw Conner stand and said, “Thank you for coming and responding to my wire.” 

“Miss Trin, You think carefully about what you want to say and give the note to me when you are ready. I live In Devil’s Ditch. I should get back to my Bride and new baby. We will work together for an harmonious outcome. Anytime,” he said. 

“We’ll see what happens,” I sighed, still doubtful. 

“Pleasure to meet you Tom,” Conner looked at him. 

“Same here, we’ll have a drink some time,” he nodded. 

I watched Conner head out of the office and looked over at Tom. “What do you really think?” 

“You could always try. See what they do.” 

“At least this won’t be a face to face confrontation and they can’t weasel around my point and make me on their side without me even realizing it. Unless we just go straight to the Ute and forget the Cherokee all together…” I sighed, almost wanting to take my chances with the Ute Natives more than reunite with the Cherokee, but I stayed quiet as we sat on the couch and relaxed. 

*** 

This afternoon I talked with Millard who was the stagecoach driver. Adder waved as he walked past and Millard joined with me at the saloon. We joined Adder and Chels at the bar and talked about our work. 

“What’s the plan with the Chief from Wyoming?” Adder asked and I perked, looking over. 

“What about him?” Chels shrugged. 

“Never mind," Adder said and I caught the glance between the two as they headed out of the saloon. I thought to myself I didn’t really have to care what was happening with the chief of Wyoming, as long as he stayed away from me. 

“I bet Adder and Chels...may keep ya busy with cases Trin,” Millard looked at me. 

“All depends on what they want to share with me or not. I’ll be there for them if they need me, like everyone else, but they need to come to me for help.” 

“Oh… Ya charge much? Or does it depend on the case?” 

“Depends on the gravity of the case. And the potential punishment involved.” 

“Makes sense.”

We continued to talk but I couldn’t help being distracted. After a while I headed back home. 

Georgetown. 

I walked back to the house in Georgetown and smiled, seeing Tom. “Fancy meetin’ you here!” 

“Hey! How you doing?” 

I went over to kiss him and wrapped my arms around him. “Are you hungry dear? I could make you some roast.” 

“That sounds good,” he said and we went to the kitchen for some dinner. We sat on the couch and ate dinner while we talked about my gig tonight. When it was time, we headed over to the saloon where I played piano and sang.