February 7, 1870

Georgetown. 

I walked down the street this morning and saw a woman out walking. Her name was Lou Knave and she said she was new in town. We went to the saloon and had a drink while we got to know each other.

“So where ya from?” I asked when we’d sat down with drinks. 

“Well, I was living in New Mexico. Come here to track down a friend.” 

“Well finding people and lost objects happens to be my specialty,” I nodded. 

“Oh, of course. You said you were a detective. Well if I hit a wall, I’ll ask you to help I reckon then,” she smiled and sipped her coffee. 

“Well I’ve got an office around the corner or I’m here most of the day. Not hard to find,” I winked. 

“Great. I shall remember that. And if I decide to take up a room here. .be easier for either of us to find one another.” 

We talked about renting rooms at the hotel and about the newspaper. She was curious about writing and I told you she could be an undercover writer if she wanted. Robert joined us and I introduced Robert and Lou. Downy joined us and we went over to play Poker, since we had a group of us. 

***

A couple hours later, I walked into the bank and noticed the door was wide open. I noticed the huge vault was open too and swore under my breath. “Rodney? You here?” I shouted for the banker. I walked back outside and sighed, not having seen anyone around. 

Lou walked over and I told her that someone had broken into the bank. I showed her around and we decided to look around together. I stopped when I saw a wagon turned over and burning with arrows in the wagon cover. “What the hell is goin’ on around here?” I muttered. 

“Someone may have been hurt here..I see arrows…” 

We continued to walk back into town and saw Twist sitting on her balcony with her baby boy, Tommy. I introduced her to Lou and we took a seat on the balcony. 

“We’ve got some questions for ya, Twist…” I started, grateful to have Lou there with me. 

“Yes?” Twist looked at me. 

“I went to the bank today to check on some things and found the door and the vault was wide open. After you dragged in that Rogue guy I figure you’re out in Georgetown West a lot... You happen to know anything ’bout this?” 

“I sure don’t, miss Trin… Or I’d would of sure shot someone and brought him back to you,” she laughed. 

“I figured as much,” I nodded. “How about the wagon fire just over across the bridge?” 

“I was out and about this morning but seen nothing Trin but I tell ya after I almost got rob yesterday I keep a eye open no one as come near me today.” 

“I would suspect so,” I nodded. “Ain’t seen Rogue since last night?” 

“But I know someone as been watching me as the Rogue guy knew I came into some money.” 

“That would make sense. Unless Rogue’s the one watching you.” 

“No… Not seen him today and trust me I am watching for him and is darn Princess. His woman has it out for me.” 

“Sheena?” 

“Yes her. Says she will kidnap and shoot me.” 

“I think she robbed a couple of people over there too... Egan and Justice. At least they say she was involved in that.” 

“Well didn’t work with me. I shot her and her man,” Twist smiled proudly. “Buu has been looking over us since TJ left us.” 

“These sounds like some characters,” Lou mused then. 

“Indeed,” I nodded to her. “Best watch your back around them because they’ll act first and talk later. I’m glad you’ve got someone watching your back, Twist.” 

Lou nodded and then had a look of recognition. “Hey… I was through town the other day… looking about… wasn’t you and Buu chatting at me, near the marshals office?” Lou looked at Twist. 

“But was hearing rumours today and she said I was the fasten woman around here so she might think twice before coming after me again or bring a bigger gang,” Twist said and looked over at Lou. “No ma’am, I don’t think it was me,” she smirked. 

I caught her expression and looked back at Lou as she said, “Oh forgive me, I must have mistaken you for someone else.” 

“It’s okay, happens a lot. Ya need me to use my resources Trin?” 

“So long as it’s within the law,” I looked at Twist. 

“Listen, don’t ya mind where I hear my stuff,” Twist laughed. 

“Like I said. Keep it within the law and I’d be happy with anything you could give me.” 

Twist asked Lou questions about herself and if she had experience with kids but Lou said that it wasn’t her thing. I suggested we could use a bartender over at the saloon and we talked about dancing there too. Twist told me that I should see Buu with a baby and I chuckled, having a hard time picturing that.

Lou and I went around and looked at houses in town and I told her that if she needed to she could stay with me. We walked back towards the offices and I saw Standing Bear talking with Twist. I halted as Chief walked over to us. I knew the more I said, the more I would get in trouble. Duke walked over then and I felt a bit safer as I announced that we were just on the way to the saloon. I sighed with relief as the chief walked away but I told DUke that the chief was just in town. Twist told us that the chief had been very kind to her lately and I rolled my eyes. 

“Duke, why’s he in town?” 

“Not sure,” he shrugged. 

“I don’t like it. He barely talked to me.” 

“He had to run in a rush,” Twist said and Duke headed towards the office. 

I looked over at Lou to make sure she was okay and then I tried to convince her to stay with me again and she promised she would find a room somewhere. 

***

This afternoon I played classical music on the piano for the group of people that came to chat and listen in the saloon. When I was finished, I stood up from the piano and smiled as they applauded me. “Thank you all so much!” 

“That was mighty fine. Thanks for the great turnout folks,” Sugar clapped. 

“I am glad I could make it,” Duke smiled. 

“Glad you guys could make it too,” I smiled at him. 

“Well I’m real proud of Miss Trin,” Sugar said. 

“So how is everyone doing tonight?” I smiled around the saloon. 

“Hey Chet, how’s the streets out there?” Sugar asked. “Well, I sure feel safe with all you lawmen out there now.”

“I feel better having my boys here,” I winked and reached over to hold Slade’s hand. He smiled, taking mine. 

“Amen to that,” Sugar agreed. 

We talked about the owl that had decided to descend on the town and Duke went out, yelling at the bird. 

“So darling,” I looked over at Slade. “What you been up to?” 

Duke came in and muttered with his head low. “He got away.” 

“Bested by an owl, huh Duke?” I chuckled. 

“Damn bird,” Duke muttered. “He lucky I am a lawman.” 

We continued to talk about the owl and my playing piano and the weather, and Slade went out to chase the owl with Duke. Duke walked in then with bandages on and said he’d fell off the saloon, since it was higher than it used to be. 

“Where’s Slade?” I asked. 

“Well Trin Indians attacked Colorado Springs,” Duke told me. 

“Oh right, that happened…” I sighed. 

“I went to help out an old friend.” 

“Again Indian attacked?" Chet asked. 

“Got hit pretty good, they came off the mountain and I was on the closest roof,” Duke said. 

“I wonder if I should pay them Injuns another visit then,” Chet said. 

“Not alone, you don’t,” I looked at him. 

“I am never alone, darlin’… I bring the good book, a whiskey ’n a couple shot guns ’n a bunch of dynomite for good luck,” he said and I sighed. “But I do wanna try ’n get this peace to stay. I might see if Slade and Duke feel like riding out there one of these days and see what they up to. I might do a little looking myself tonight.” 

“Around Bear River, you mean? Chief Standing Bear was in town this afternoon. Not sure why... he barely said osiyo. Seems to be actin’ real nice around Twist and her baby though.” 

“That Indian girl was in town again last night too,” Chet rubbed his chin. “I spoke with her for a bit before she rode off.” 

“Well you know I ain’t crossing over to Bear River anymore. It ain’t worth it, Chet.” 

“Yeah, I sure don’t blame ya darlin’. These injuns might be trying to pull fast one with us all.” 

“Who ever knows. I just don’t feel like gettin’ played anymore.” 

“I be playing dance lil injun dance if they try anything again.” 

“I know,” I nodded. 

I headed to the office but then decided to take a ride and unwind for the night. 

Oklahoma. 

I went to the village in Oklahoma and talked with Thunder and Dark Rain over by the mines. We talked for a bit and then I headed over to the ranch to see Hina.