Colorado.
This afternoon I saw Mill and walked over to him. I asked if we could talk in Devil’s Ditch and we headed over there. I stayed quiet as we walked and hoped that Mill will be able to give me some information about yesterday.
When we were alone in the saloon I looked at him and asked, “Do you know anything about what happened yesterday after I left the courthouse?”
“Very little Trin......I got arrested for Bank Robbery,” he chuckled.
“You what?!” I asked, shocked.
“Yeah.......The bank got robbed.......and they thought I did it.”
“Why on earth would they think you did it?”
“Well… Seems the inside doors weren’t blown.....and I have a key to them so……”
“But why would you rob the bank? That makes no sense.”
“Hell.....tell THEM that…” he smiled and sipped his whiskey.
“So the bank was robbed but nothing was busted in, someone had acquired a key... This all happened during the trial?”
“Yep...seems so........I was in the courtroom when I heard shots...so I came out.. to see.”
“Shots? What’d you see when you went out?”
“Yeah......few people in the courtroom heard them also....but I was the only one to go out and see.”
“What’d you see, Mill?”
“Didn’t see a thing......no person.......no horse….nothing.”
“What happened with the rest of the trial? I heard the Native got out free but…”
“I heard it was a mistrial...and they let him go.”
“Anything else you can tell me?”
“Well heard Jake yell it out… He wasn’t happy,” he chuckled.
“No kidding,” I sighed, knowing I let Despres down.
“Can’t think of anything at the moment Trin… but if I do, I’ll let ya know.”
“I appreciate that,” I said and stood.
“Oh .ya guns are in the draw at ya desk,” he smiled.
“Thanks… I don’t know if I’ll keep usin’ them.”
“Well...still good idea to have them around.”
“I guess so. I should go find Adder and talk to him.”
“Yeah...might be a good idea..he should know more.”
I nodded and headed over to the sheriff’s office, relieved to see Adder and Chelsea together. “Glad you’re both here. Was wondering if I could talk to ya’ll about yesterday. For the paper. Is Despres around too?”
“He is napping...should wake soon,” Chels said.
“Can you guys tell me what happened? I heard there was a mistrial and a robbery?” I asked.
“With the robbery don’t have much to go on,” Chels looked at Adder. “You probably know more then what we found out. It happened though while we all were at the trial.”
“I don’t know anything about the trial, but yes, the bank was robbed. Front doors blown off with dynamite, inner door damaged and either opened with a key, or the lock was picked,” Adder said. “Safe door was damaged also, but again, opened with a key or picked. All the money and the metal bars were emptied from the safe.”
I thought about how this story wasn’t adding up with Mill’s account and asked, “How much money gone? Amount-wise?”
“You’d have to ask Danny, he’d know.”
“Any suspects?”
“Haven’t seen the Banker to get a figure on what was there,” Chels said.
“Inner door was damaged? Any idea how?” I asked.
“I had one, but no firm evidence. Just some mighty odd behaviour and the means to pull it off,” Adder said. “Looks like it was shot.”
“You said it was picked with a key or it was picked but you mentioned damage,” I looked at him, wondering why Millard never mentioned it. “What about the trial? Why was it called a mistrial?”
“Perhaps the person damaged the doors to cover up picking the lock or using a key. Maybe they thought we wouldn’t look too closely,” Adder said.
“Well the Indian was found not guilty....the acting Attorney said it was a MIs Trial,” Chels said.
“Who was the acting attorney?” I asked, feeling personally interested since I was finally done with the position. I was glad I could now focus on the paper.
“I guess an Indian shooting a soldier don’t mean nothing. Marshal Despres was,” Chels replied.
“Guess I’ll have to talk to him when he wakes up,” I nodded.
“You’ll let him know for me, Chels?” I smiled at her.
“I will," Chels nodded.
“Thanks hon. I’m out of the attorney business, I need to focus my attention solely on the paper. Being in both positions would lead to compromise in either job.”
“That it would,” Chels nodded.
“Glad you understand,” I smiled. “I know this is the right decision.”
“Yes we all have to do whats best for us,” Chels smiled.
“Guess there were a lot of natives at the trial yesterday huh?” I asked.
Despres came out and I smiled. “Despres, good. Was wondering if we could talk?”
“What’s up?”
“Was wondering what you could tell me about the mistrial and bank robbery yesterday, for the paper?”
“Howdy Jake,” Chels smiled and then said, “There were a few...people coming and going so much it kept me busy with there guns.”
“Nothin’ much to tell but this town is goin’ to hell…” Jake said.
“Why was there a mistrial?” I sighed.
“It’s a disgrace what happened last night and we agreed upon it was a dark day in Colorado Springs, both when it came to that farce of a trial but also when it comes to our money and gold deposit..”
“I’m listening…”
“You will be at the Town Meeting today won’t you?” Chels looked at me.
“I’ll try to make it,” I nodded.
“I guess it’s because the Judge, Defence Attorney and Jury was a lot of town visitors and not the core members of our Community... I know a lot of the people here, and if they had been around this would never had happened.”
“What exactly happened?”
“I agree...to many strangers around yesterday for our liking,” Chels nodded.
We talked with Mercedes and she asked if Twist was around. I looked over at Jake and asked, “I’m missing something here, Jake. What happened from when the Native man was in the cell in the courthouse to the time when you said there was a mistrial?” I looked at him.
“Just a lot of Defense Attorneys bein’ allowed to each have a say in the trial... A sane Judge wouldn’t have allowed that many, that was ludicris!” Jake exclaimed.
“Who was the judge?” I nodded, listening.
“Also the Jury didn’t take Reverend Stone’s words for nothin’ even though he’s a highly respected Preacher….” Despres said.
“Was Stone a witness?”
“His name is Mr. Judge…” Jake answered my question about who the judge was.
“Mr. Judge?” I asked, making a mental note to talk to Jake Stone. “That’s it? No name, just ’Mr. Judge’?”
“That’s what he introduced himself as, even before I asked him if he could help out at the Courthouse,” Jake nodded.
“And the robbery happened during the whole trial... any idea how much money was taken, Jake? Or should I just try to find the banker?”
“Not sure, but I reckon we’re talkin’ over 4000 coins”
“Wow…” I shook my head as conversation continued around us with others who were arriving on the street. “Only one suspect that I’ve heard of? The thief hasn’t been detained?”
“Mr. Millard was arrested and jailed, but after a search of his Cabin and the Sheriff and we shared words, he released him again.”
“Well thanks for your time, Despres, Chels. I should get some writing done before the meeting. It’s at the courthouse?”
Depsres held out his finger in front of me. “Don’t quote me or put this in the paper, but we’ll pay close attention to who suddenly starts to pay for people’s drinks in the saloon.”
“I did find it strange him leaving half way in the Trial..then come back a while later..asking where the Sheriff was..that the bank was robbed,” Chels looked at me.
“Yes it is... At 2pm,” Jake nodded.
“I understand the value of an anonymous source,” I nodded to him.
“Good… Ya better.”
“Thanks to you both. See you in about an hour.”
“Alright, see ya later Miss Trin,” they waved and I headed for my office to get some writing done before the meeting.
An hour later I headed into the courthouse and froze when I saw Rat Boy. I hadn’t seen him since the incident back in August and I shook my head, walking into the room to take a seat. Private Anders was holding his trumpet in case he needed to blow a signal for assistance.
I took a seat beside Conner and got out my camera and tripod, taking pictures for the newspaper. Adder asked Jake if anyone else was coming and Jake said that he could begin.
“Thank you all for coming, you all know why we’re here. We need a consensus on what we’re going to do about the Apache attacks. Some want to pack up and leave for pastures new, and some want to stay and fight for OUR land. This meeting is intended to find a way for us all to move forward,” Adder began. I pulled out my notebook and started to write notes.
“We must fight, of course!” Free exclaimed. “We don’t give up our lands!”
“As you know, the Apache camp has doubled in terms of the land it covers this week. They bought that land, legally it seems. We can’t take it from them, but we need to discuss our response.”
“We’ll die…” Despres sighed.
“I’d suggest you choose your words carefully. YOU are the reason we;re here. YOU sold them that land,” Adder narrowed his eyes at the mayor. I swallowed hard, remembering the conversation with Free and Frank about the horses.
“We can’t stay Mayor,” Chels turned to the mayor.
“Land that hadn’t appeared to be for sale, until the Apache wanted it,” Adder said.
“But needed the money,” Free looked to the ground and said softly.
“Other than the collaborator over there,” Adder pointed at Free, “Does anyone wish to speak?”
“I do sir!” Conner exclaimed and I waved softly to Chet who’d come into the building.
“Go ahead,” Adder nodded to him.
“What is it that they want exactly, the Apache?” he asked.
“Collaborator?!” Free looked at Adder angrily.
“Land. All of it,” Adder stated.
“Would they settle for a compromise?” Conner asked.
“If we leave we’ll be giving them what they want,” I said, unable to help myself.
“We tried compromising..all we got was arrows,” Chels pointed out.
“I doubt they would settle for less than everything, but what do you have in mind?” Adder asked.
“We don’t know, but since alot of the tribesmen has found their way to the White Mountain it seems like they start trouble with the town over and over again Sir…” Despres put in.
“Yes true words, Miss Trin! We fight for the land!” Free exclaimed and got a cold look from Adder.
“They stole our cattle…” Despres nodded.
“A really good compromise is when both parties are unhappy,” Conner said.
“They set fire to our Livery,” Chels said.
“They blew us up!” Adder exclaimed.
“What makes you think it will be any better somewhere else?” Conner asked.
Chet put up his hand then and said, “I for one have no intention of leaving now. Way I see, it we have two choices: talk with em find out what they want but let them know we not leaving, or we round up few men who ain’t yellow n put stop to them now.”
“Yes true!” Free exclaimed.
“My thoughts exactly, both of you fellas,” Adder nodded.
“There’s also been a few warnings from them... Body parts delivered to the Law Offices, corpses with either spears or arrows stickin’ out from them…” Despres put in.
“Have you tried welcoming them to town instead of instant hate?” Conner asked.
“Even a head on a stick...now you tell me who in there right mind would do such a thing...savages thats who..they are nothing but savages,” Chels said.
“Instant hate?” Adder blinked, but I smiled, knowing we’d had this conversation so many times before.
“I wish it was that simple Mister... But since they grow stronger day by day and since they seem to form friendships between the other tribes we can’t continue bein’ this lucky when they would hit town…” Despres sighed.
“Sir, you are VERY much mistaken. We welcomed them, traded with them,” Adder said.
“Maybe we should visit them… Or they visit us without a fight,” Free smiled.
“We were rewarded with severed limbs, corpses, arson and explosive devices,” Adder said.
“Have we ever tried to be respectful and apologize?” Conner asked.
“Nothing to apologize for,” Adder shrugged.
“Apologize? For them stealing our cattle?” Mercedes asked.
“Amiville law…” Adder muttered. I saw the mutter and sighed, knowing him too well to not miss the dig at the town where we met.
“Clearly they perceive an insult of some kind,” Conner shrugged.
“Then I say we hit them before they hit us,” Chet said. “Show em we not bunch o scared Sunday girl teachers. Show them we men who ain’t afraid to die for our land.”
“Yes miss, at the back?” Adder asked a woman who had her hand up.
“You know sheriff!” Free shouted. “You know I am an Indian and you know what, before all these white came and murder many! And take this land! So I think I only sold them their own land back, to be honest…”
“Well I’m no man and I don’t intend to die for no land, but I don’t mind firing my rifle at a few,” Mercedes offered.
“I am sorry to speak up but has there been any attacks in town? I am new here and my door lock is broken,” the girl said, looking troubled and scared.
“Shut up collaborator, or I’ll see you hang,” Adder glared at Free.
“You’re not honest, sheriff!” Free shouted.
“Yes miss, there have been several attacks. Including right inside my office, on FOUR law officers! Yet our Mayor sees fit to sell them MORE land!” Adder replied to the scared girl.
“Yes Miss... We’ve had over three huge attacks from the Apache’s and the Ute’s in the last three or four weeks... So far we’ve been lucky enough to fight them back, but it’s just a matter of time before our luck runs out…” Despres put in and the girl’s eyes went wide with fear.
“Surely there is some value in calling a truce for a time to step back and cool down?” Conner asked.
“Sure there is, that is if ya wanna wake up with an Injun swine sittin’ at ya porch as if he owned ya property…” Jake nodded to him.
“Sir, when someone spits in my face, I spit back. I’m not inclined to sit and play nice over a cup of tea,” Adder said.
“They’ve got no sense of ownership and just goes where it pleases them and takes from hard workin’ Citizens what they think is theirs…” Despres said.
“There ya go, that’s what we need,” Chet pointed at Mercedes. “Ya get your guns and shoot any Injun ya see on sight. And marshal, if they attacking they testing us first. If they see us as weak they will come right into town and take our women, defile them in their savage ways, ’n kill the men ’n children. I say we take the attacks to them!” Chet exclaimed and I sighed at that.
“The other night they were up on the roof of the town..jumping from one to another...said they were chasing some eagle...but a citizen heard them planning an attack,” Chels said.
“When does it end of no one takes the high road and lets the past go?” Conner asked.
“It’s not that I’m afraid to die, but I would feel it rather stupid if I was responsible for the death of good Citizens too... We can’t lead our women, children and old ones into a battle we can’t win…” Despres looked at Chet.
“Ok, you take the high road. Take it all the way to ‘safety’,” Adder said to Conner.
I thought to myself how I’d moved from Georgetown to escape a war with the Cherokee only to find myself smack in the middle of one with the Apache.
“You are not safe if your mind is always in fear. Face the fear and talk with your enemies,” Conner said.
“I dont fear them. I know what they want, and I know they wont stop unless we make them. Sit and talk, and they’ll see weakness. Run away and they’ll just keep coming,” Adder said.
“Well yes, it would be nice if we could eliminate ’em all, but I think by now their Tribe has grown to the size of Dodge City,” Despres nodded.
“How can you truly know another man’s mind unless you have had a meal with him?” Conner asked.
“Marshal, you’d not wear that badge if was afraid to die, but we need drive em out. We need to thin the herd so to speak. I reckon any injun who comes to town be locked up at the very least. Perhaps send peace offering their way with some tainted food.”
“When a man fires bullets and arrows at me, I don’t NEED to share a meal with the son of a bitch to know what he wants,” Adder said.
“Well yes, I’m just afraid we’re beyond peace... That’s why we called this meetin’ Sir…” Despres said.
“They stand up on that hill always watching ...waiting for there chance to attack...it will come mark my words,” Chels said.
“And now their land covers ALL of the high ground to the east,” Adder nodded.
“You don’t understand. They not all bad people.”
“Ya still talking ’n friends with them Injuns?” Chet looked over at me.
“Friends? I’m tryin’ to get to know them, yeah. I met an Apache the other day and he seemed fine. The Cherokee still think i’m enemy number one but I’ve been trying... and i’m still tight with the Cheyenne, I hope…” I sighed, remembering the events yesterday.
“Mayor. When someone tries to burn this town down, that’s a bad person. When someone indiscriminately shoots in this town, thats a bad person. When someone steals, that is a bad person,” Adder said.
“Well it seems like the Citizens wanna stay and fight…” Despres looked at Adder.
“But you forget sheriff that at first we take them lands!” Free exclaimed.
“Give me more time... Maybe I can work with the Cherokee and try to get them on our side again, or the Cheyenne…” I looked at Despres. “Heck, I’ll try to talk to the Ute too... show them that not all palefaces will just shoot bullets.”
“What do the know about us beside white steal land?” Free asked.
‘“I didn’t. The people who they’re shooting and stabbing didn’t,” Adder looked at her.
“The good Lord made this land for us, we’re just takin’ what’s rightfully ours…” Despres looked at Free.
“If we try to resolve these issues with words instead of bullets, with understanding and trust instead of violence…” I started.
“Oh listen to yourself for crying out loud!” Adder exclaimed.
“Trin, I no want ya telling them Injuns what we talking about, ya understand?” Chet looked at me. “But the old Cherokee chief is out there somewhere. Perhaps if we go together we can get him on our side. He should know we speak truth. Hell, I’ll even let him know who burnt his old village down.”
“They will never learn that one Trin,” Chels said.
“Look where that got you in Wyoming!” Adder reminded me.
I sighed, knowing he was right. “Chief Hawk has always been on my side though, Adder. From the beginning. He has pull with the other chiefs. If I can…”
“No matter how friendly ya are with the Cherokee Chief, he will never fight his own kind" he says and would spit to the side but doesn’t,” Jake looked at Chet.
“If, if, if,” Adder rolled his eyes at me. I looked at him desperately, needing more time. I knew the reason I stepped down from prosecuting the native yesterday was for this very purpose.
“NO one need die if we all leave,” Conner said.
“Chief Hawk from the western side of Kansas was in a Pow Wow with Chief Nah just yesterday... Don’t expect Hawk’s tribe to shoot at the Apache’s here…” Jake waved his hand at me.
“I’d sooner die standing my ground than grow old with a yellow belly,” Adder said.
“If there actually WERE any Commanche’s around they would be the only tribe that would help us rid our land from Apache’s, but those people are long gone…” Jake sighed.
“Well then it’s clear they cant be trusted n I’ll give free whiskey to any man who brings down any injun in town,” Chet said and I sighed.
“So what do we agree upon? Do we move South or do we stay and fight??” Jake looked around the room.
“Stay fight and get free drinks,” Mercedes said.
“Move and live a long life,” Conner said.
“A long life as a goddamn coward,” Adder rolled his eyes.
“We stay,” I said, still looking at Adder. “By leaving, we surrender everything and give them what we want. By staying, we fight for what’s ours and the possibility... the SLIMMEST chance that there could be peace.”
“I am no coward to want to raise my son,” Conner said.
“Fight. It’s our land our home. We tried living with em in peace n perhaps after they realize we ain’t no dainty school marms they will leave us alone,” Chet said.
“What about ya Mr. Millard, do ya think we should move South or do ya think we should stay and fight the Apache’s??” Jake looked at Millard.
“Fight,” Millard grinned.
“Don’t you be running to them indians..taking cake and pie,” Chels crossed her arms and looked at me.
“I’ll do what I need to do in order to present an unbiased story,” I looked at Chels.
“She can take em all pie she wants long as it have something in it to sick them,” Chet said and Adder chuckled, but I glared back at him.
“If I get killed, that’s on my head, not yours, Chels,” I told her and looked to Conner for support.
“Alright Sheriff... The Town has spoken... I rekon we stay and defend what’s rightfully ours... So how do ya think we should do this??” Jake looked at Adder.
“Just know that you make contact with them at your OWN risk,” Adder looked at me.
“But we don’t need you going there telling them everything,” Chels looked at me.
I ain’t gonna be sharing anything. I’ll be the one doing the asking, not the telling,” I looked at Chels.
“Anyone who goes wandering to play nice with the Indians will get no help when it all inevitably goes to shit,” Adder said and I looked to him, knowing that he had known my passion for my pursuit with the Indians longer than any of them.
“Trin, I think it best you avoid them. I know who side you’re on but them Ijuns have medicine men who can make ya do ’n say whatnot, even know or want… Heck, if not careful ya could come back carrying Injun baby. They can’t be trusted,” Chet warned me. I sighed, knowing that I wasn’t going to be supported by anyone in my venture with them, but it was still something I needed to do.
“As for how we do this..... we have two options as I see it,” Adder started. “One, we take the fight to them. We go to THEIR homes and burn them.”
“I am not a baby killer nor a mutilator of women,” Conner stood.
“Or we can organize our defences better, and when they come to town again we batter them back with more force and vigor than they’ve seen before,” Adder went on.
“If I may Sheriff…” Jake started as Conner left the courtroom and the others called him a yellow coward. “Well I think we should get every man and woman a rifle... I’ll wire the Fort down in Arizona and we can have a couple of wagons up here within 3 days, maybe sooner... Then we shall by then have sold what’s left of our cattle to pay for the rifles and then hand them out to every one who hasn’t got one already…”
“Maybe we should try option three,” Free said. “Be more friendly with them? Learn more about each other?”
“We tried that already,” Adder said. “We welcomed them, traded with them. They did all this.”
“Then rally them up two times a day and go target practise over by the Outpost, how does that sound? We really need everyone who can fire a rifle if we wanna see this through,” Jake went on.
“There is option four…” Chet said.
“I say any children here...people should make arrangements to send them with family until this is dealt with,” Chels said.
“When you try one time sheriff, and don’t work, then it’s over for you! It takes patience!” Free said.
“Patience, Mayor? I know about patience. Mine is wearing thin where you are concerned,” Adder stated.
“We get ourselves ready train the town to shoot. Prepare but hold off on attacking them. Maybe see if we can get to learn more,” Chet said and I thought that was a good compromise.
“Yes, that was what I was thinkin’ too Mister,” Jake nodded.
“And the visible preparations for combat might just make ’em think again about how they’ve behaved towards us,” Adder said.
“The Citizens will also have to work harder the next couple of weeks... We’ll even start workin’ Sundays and have a Caravan headin’ north with the supplies and food we can sell to pay for the rifles…” Jake said after some thought.
“Which means for now I’ll amend my offer to free whiskey to whoever reports Injuns in town n gives em a nod of friendship,” Chet said.
“I think we should see if we can get some fences and such build in the street... Sand bags too so we have somethin’ to hide behind when they attack us!” Jake nodded and I sighed, looking back at Chet.
“Should I report myself, sheriff?!” Free asked.
“I have some contacts back east, might be able to get some hardware supplied,” Adder nodded.
I thought to myself how it was probably best not to include this meeting in the paper since the Natives would see it and I closed my notebook.
“That would be good…” Jake nodded to Adder.
“Oh no mayor, you wont need to report yourself at all. I’ve already got my eye on you,” Adder said.
“I’ve got shed full of dynamite,” Chet said.
“I reckon ya best start diggin’ some holes right after the meetin’,” Jake pointed at Millard and nodded to Chet. “That’s great, we’ll need that too Sir.”
“Sure will Jake,” Mill nodded.
“I’ll see if the Carpenter has some timber we can build somethin’ to cover behind or under that we can place in the street... I actually think we might need that sooner than we know, I’ve heard they’re already gatherin’ a couple of more Tribes for tomorrow…” Jake sighed.
“Aye. They’re certainly up to something,” Adder nodded.
“And Trin’s man Tom is a good shot. He could man a road into town. I’ll be keeping Devil’s Ditch under watch,” Chet said and I sighed, knowing he was right.
“I can take a wagon and go to Arizona for the rifles when we can,” Millard said.
“They’ve been attackin’ us EVERY Thursday now for four weeks in a row, ya would be dumb if ya didn’t see a pattern there somewhere, so I reckon we’d better be ready tomorrow too…” Jake nodded. “That might be a good idea, maybe we could ride down to New Mexico and meet with them to shorten our ride?”
“Sounds good Jake...soon as I dig some holes,” Mill nodded.
“I’ll help ya,” Jake nodded.
“Just dig one big one. We’ll throw ’em all in,” Adder said.
“Now this might be the whiskey talking…” Chet started and pulled out his flask. “I’ve got two more if anyone wants a drink… But what if Miss Trin writes a story saying townsmen going up north for a few days. Then us men hide ’n see if Injuns come this way ’n if do we ambush em. If they don’t come then probably not ready for war.”
“I like that idea,” Adder nodded.
“Good idea, but I’m not sure any of those Savages can even read... We could somehow spread the words other ways than writin’ it in the Paper,” Jake nodded.
I nodded and said, “I’ll think of some ideas on how to do that. I need to head to the office. Safe paths, everyone,” I said, needing to get out of there and plan my next course of action.
“And if they find out the truth, I’ll know where it came from… Won’t I?” Adder looked at Free.
“Ya be careful out there, miss Trin,” Chet said and I nodded, heading out. Before turning, I saw Chels point at me in answer to Adder’s question and I sighed, knowing they still didn’t trust me but I was going to change that.
***
I paced my apartment this evening, knowing that I shouldn’t be going out to see the Native chiefs alone, and I wondered where Tom was. When he walked in I threw my arms around him. “Hey darlin’!”
“Hey, how are you doing?”
“Oh honey, today has been insane!” I led him to the couch and told him all about the town meeting.
“Wow…” he exclaimed when I was done.
“I need to talk to Hawk... And I need to make things right with Chief Standing Bear... I need to do it for this town now.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea?”
“Honey I have to. I’ve already started connections with these tribes.... I have to keep going. I can’t stop now.”
“Well, let’s go and get it done. This time I’d rather go with you. I don’t trust them.”
“I fully agree with you on that. That’s why I waited until you were home to go out there.” I pulled him close and hugged him tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Well, if we’re gonna go do this, let’s go and talk with them.”
“Let’s go,” I nodded and we walked out of the apartment.
Kansas.
We stopped at the bridge and I hesitated, “Let’s do this.” I called out, “Hawk? Sasha? It’s Trin!” I looked over at Tom and told him, “There was a cheyenne girl at the trial yesterday. I know that she came and told Hawk that she saw me there... I don’t know how Hawk will be.”
“Well I just hope they know we are coming in peace.”
“Just wait here... until he comes.”
“Nah!” a man shouted and I heard the Apache chief’s name. I reached over to squeeze Tom’s hand nervously.
“Just don’t make any sudden moves to piss them off. Not too sure how to approach them,” Tom warned.
“Before today, I could just walk into this village. Now I don’t want to take any chances after yesterday,” I sighed.
We walked a bit closer and I saw Hawk, Sasha, Nah, and a few others talking near the entrance of the village. “I was wondering if we could talk…”
“So talk,” Sasha said simply, and I knew this wasn’t going to be easy.
“We talking now,” Hawk nodded.
“I wanted you to know... I had the opportunity to prosecute a native man in court yesterday and I turned it down. I knew that if I was involved in that case that it would ruin the bond that I have felt with your tribe since day one when we met. I am no longer an attorney in Colorado Springs. I am focusing completely on the newspaper, showing an unbiased presentation of the truth, with voices from both sides of the story.”
“We each make our own choices,” Sasha said.
“Yes I heard you there, also that you only stopped this after being seen,” Hawk said.
“No Hawk. I had reservations going into it. It felt wrong, I felt like I was being dragged into the lion’s den, and I felt like I had to get out of it. I didn’t even speak with the man on trial. I did absolutely nothing with this case.”
“Seems to me you were holding your own bait,” Sasha said.
“I saw you coming by your own way,” said another Native.
“Why go into this to begin with if you did? You knew what was going on and was at first going to be part of it,” Hawk said.
“Despres seemed insistent that he needed help. I was blindsided. I wasn’t sure which side I would be taking either. He did’t tell me anything until we were inside,” I shook my head, getting emotional. “I understand, Chief, it looks bad. But I got out of it before I was dragged in too far. I didn’t even sit through the trial. I just left. I left to come find you.”
“It is not blindsided if you are part of it from the beginning. You knew you were a prosector didn’t you? You knew one of our people were on trial. You thought you might defend him at the last minute? Not knowing anything before hand,” he shook his head. “I do not believe these words.”
“Baby, the smell is bad here, I will wait for you at the fire,” Sasha said and walked away.
“Hawk... Despres said he needed an attorney and wanted me to come meet the client in the courthouse. I went there, knowing that a native man was in there but I had hoped that maybe if I did have to be a prosecutor, I could change his mind and maybe be the defendant,” I sighed. “But the second I realized that I would have to be prosecuting and questioning this man... I knew I just couldn’t do it.”
“The blue coats came only a short time ago and shot up our animals, attacked them for no reason, made threats to us, claimed these were their lands to patrol. If you are looking for stories, maybe see about that,” Hawk said.
“Tonight, Hawk, I’m not looking for stories, I’m looking to give you the truth about what happened yesterday. But now that I know about this story, I will definitely look into it and include a piece about it in the paper if given enough information. All native sources will be anonymous.”
“He does have a point. The Cheyenne have as much right to this land as we do. The military has no right doing that,” Tom nodded to me and looked back at Hawk. “If that’s the case, I will fight with you. I will not stand for the blue coats to do that and get away with it. Justice will be done.”
“I’m sorry, Hawk... This is my boyfriend Tom. I have been with him for about two weeks now... I trust him with my life and my heart. Tom, this is Chief Hawk. He is the reason I’m standing alive before you today. He is the reason I’m so passionate about sharing both sides of the story. He is like... a father to me,” I got emotional.
“The man they tried to blame and hang was one of my people Trin. You were seen with these people, no matter your thoughts or intent. This man is but a boy barely of age to know anything. Do you think he could have trust in you after knowing you were with the ones that wanted so bad to place a rope around his neck? And I can not go against him, he is me and I am him as with all of us in the village. I honor your words Tom and is good to meet you. Many things though have been bad lately. Our people will not stand for these things and we will fight these blue coats and their towns if we need,” Hawk said.
I sighed, “I understand how it looks, Chief, really I do. But you have to understand the position I was in. I was being thrown into the fire and it seemed like I had no choice but to do the job I was assigned to, but then I realized... I couldn’t do this. I betrayed them, Hawk. I betrayed my friends, my superiors…” I started to become more emotional. “Hawk, those people in that town? The people your person saw me with? They think I’m a traitor. They think I’ve completely gone against the town and that I am more concerned with truth rather than justice. All I can do is my job as a reporter. If I were to remain an attorney, I would have to pick sides and I would no longer be unbiased. I will tell the story, as I always have done, whether that means my town is behind me or not.”
“I understand your feelings but you most understand mine. The man they arrested will not trust you and I must go with that. I will not be against you but I can not allow to come into the village, and will have to speak here when we do.”
I swallowed hard. “What if I talked with that man… Showed him that I am no longer an attorney, because of him. That I went against my people and my responsibilities because my connection to his people meant more? Hawk... I’m alive because of your tribe. They are like family. I… Let me talk to him.... Give me a chance to explain…”
“No, that will not be good Trin. He is but a boy maybe with time.”
I looked into Hawk’s eyes, knowing I’d let him down. I had hoped, though, that he’d have appreciated the fact that I threw everything away for my relationship with him and his tribe.
“Give things some time Trin. Maybe things will become better. Much has happened and things are still fresh and raw,” Hawk looked at me.
“I just want you to know how much you... this tribe... means to me... This whole situation is tearing me apart and I wish I could turn back time.”
“Many times people wish they could but time only moves forward, and as time moves forward maybe things will become better,” Hawk said.
“Can you tell me about this attack?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Two of them rode into our field. One is but an outlaw using the bluecoat as an excuse, one you and I know, Harley Buu. The other I do not know. They made threats of if we do this or that we would be declaring war on their country,” he shrugged. “Told me I need to get back to my camp so they could patrol my lands. I told them to leave. The animals were upset by the tones used and followed them. As they neared our borders the one named harley turned and started shooting them. They defended themselves and knocked him out on the ground,” he laughed. “But many were injured, he attacked them for no reason.”
“That is terrible, Chief…” I shook my head.
“They left after this but I am sure they were angered and will return.”
“Can you describe the one with Harley?” I asked.
“New maiden is settled in baby,” Sasha said and I nodded to her, knowing and understanding her distrust of me.
“Only his blue coat. I was angered by them standing on my lands and trying to order me and my people. Did not pay attention to their looks,” he looked over at Sasha and smiled. “Haaahe my heart. Ahh that is good to hear. I am glad to hear that,” Hawk said.
“Of course,” I nodded. “I have taken up enough of your time. I guess Tom had to go to Nebraska and take care of some things but I do thank you for this chance to talk,” I looked around for Tom, noticing he’d gone. I looked back at Hawk and said, “I will try to find more information about this attack, Chief, and I do hope that you’ll consider my other offer about talking with the man involved in the trial yesterday.”
“That is not going to happen right now Trin. Like I said he does not trust and I understand his thoughts and stand beside him on this,” Hawk shook his head.
“We all do,” Sasha agreed.
“I understand. I just ask that you think about it and we will give it time. I hope you understand what I gave up yesterday. I"m sure walking through town I will not be as well-liked or trusted there either.”
“We will see Trin. Safe paths to you. I must be going as well,” Hawk said.
“Safe paths to you both,” I sighed, turning around and hoping it wasn’t the last time I saw them. I walked out of the village and then knelt to the ground, crying as I wept for what might have been lost in one single day.
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