Colorado.
This morning I sat in front of my office, not ready to wake my brother yet and needing to take in the fresh air before I shared the news with everyone from last night. I talked with a man I didn’t know and he said his name was Matt Alsop. He was from England and I apologized to him for not getting much sleep last night. He said that he loved the newspaper and I gave him the first issue. He told me he was a writer but was now a lawyer. He said he would help me out and I waved to him as he headed off down the street.
I talked with another woman who walked past and I told her about my brother coming over and telling me the news he’d announced. Her name was Chamilla and we talked about the town and how she’d come back to town after her being gone a while. I showed her the first issue of the paper and we talked about our pasts.
I walked into the saloon and talked with some people there about the first issue of the paper. When Adder walked in I looked over at him and said, “Taurus... Got some bad news last night..”
“Oh?” he raised an eyebrow.
“My brother came to town... Haven’t seen him in over six years…”
“Oh? I didn’t know you had one,” Adder said as he drank his whiskey.
“Didn’t think I’d ever see him again. We lost touch when he moved away for a new job in Pennsylvania... For him to come out last night I knew something had to be wrong.”
“Hope all okay miss Trin?” Frank asked.
“Adder... my father... back in Canada... he was killed.”
“Wow.. I’m sorry Trin,” Adder said.
“Shot out in the fields where he was tending the cattle.”
“Rustlers?”
“Don’t know. A gang of some sort I guess.”
“Did the law catch them?” Adder asked and I shook my head.
“The rest of the family ok miss Trin?” Frank asked.
“Was just me and my brother... and my mom.. She’s still out there…”
“You should bring her here,” Frank suggested.
“Last time I saw them was a couple months back when I was in Georgetown. I went up to visit for a weekend. Josh got a job in Pennsylvania six years ago... Before I even got engaged to Jason,” I told Adder, knowing he knew the story.
“Are bad times,” Frank sighed. “Maybe you should invest in a little farm in Florida, miss Trin, for your mom. 60 acres or so fine land with fruit trees.”
I took out the medal and showed Adder the medal Josh gave me. “Josh gave me this from dad... He said Dad wanted me to have it. It’s from when he was in the army. Maybe, Frank... I know she won’t be able to keep that ranch on her own. It was too much work even for the two of them,” I looked at Frank.
“I could invest money of you in a gold or silver mine,” Frank suggested.
“Ingalls, do you EVER stop thinking about money?” Adder asked.
“My brother met Tom last night,” I looked back at Adder.
“Did they get on alright?”
“Well enough,” I shrugged. “Josh is very... over-protective. I think you’ll like him,” I said and Adder chuckled. “That’s the one spot that’s bright in all this... I hadn’t seen him in so long... It’s good to have him back.”
“Shame about the circumstance,” Adder nodded.
“Dad and I weren’t close but... He was still my dad.”
“Aye, family is family,” Adder nodded.
“Josh always thought I was the favourite child,” I winked. “Did you get a chance to see the paper yet?”
“Aye, it’s good, great job!” he nodded with a smile.
“Thanks. Feels good to be back at it again. Free even put a new sign on the office.”
“Good.”
“Also gonna put a mailbox out there like the one you’ve got. And I got another writer this morning.”
“Oh? anyone I know?”
“A guy named Matt. Said he was staying at the hotel.”
“Ah, yes, I met him yesterday. A lawyer, I believe.”
“That’s right. Josh is going to help me take pictures. He thinks I need help in that department,” I nodded and he chuckled. “What have you been up to?”
“Not a lot. Mining mostly. Also had a trip into Texas earlier.”
“Oh? What’s goin’ on over in Texas?”
“Watched one of the apaches from up the hill get gunned down by a bandit. Was pretty funny.”
“When was this?” I sighed, thinking to myself I’d have to meet with the Apache about this for the paper.
“This morning. It was the same Apache that kidnapped Chels the other night.”
“Chels was kidnapped again? Goodness I haven’t heard that kind of news since we all lived back in Amiville.”
“Aye, an apache called Igmu. Though their healer woman lied to me and said his name was clown.”
“I met him… In the mines…” I swallowed hard. “Is Chels okay now? Or do they still have her?”
“I’d stay away from him if I were you. He carried her to Texas, to the mines there. I saw Miss Twist chasing them and followed. When we got to the mine, a soldier arrived too. The three of us went in and took him down. She’s fine. He didn’t have long enough to harm her.”
“Good to hear that. I want to write a piece about this," I told him.
“No,” he shook his head.
“Taurus… The marshal getting kidnapped? Again?”
“Court case is pending, I wont have it prejudiced. I’m warning you. Write about it and I’ll lock you up.”
“Then I’ll wait for the trial and write about it then,” I sighed.
“Time I was back on the street. I’ll catch up with you later Trin.”
“I’ll stay out of it but after the trial you know I have to report something about it.”
“I know, and AFTER the trial is fine by me.”
“Good,” he said and walked outside. I watched him go and shook my head with a sigh.
I went to check on the hotel but Josh wasn’t awake yet so I headed back to my office. He walked in a few hours later and said, “Morning sis, I slept in.”
“I figured. I waited for you but then I came back to get some work done on my book,” I looked up at him.
“Sorry about that,” he walked over and took a seat at the desk. “So what’s on the list of things to do today?”
“Just been writing my journals from being in the west.. It’s been therapeutic. I finished the first month or so, you might find it an interesting read.”
“You and your journals,” he said as he too the journal I offered him. “Very interesting Kiddo.”
“That’s just the beginning. So many twists in that one I didn’t even see coming.”
“This will give me something to read at night to help fall asleep.”
“It might wake you up,” I chuckled, wondering what his reaction to the book would be.
“It will definitely enlighten me on the events of your life.”
“Can’t think a better way of enlightening you than for you just to read it. Words won’t be able to describe it if I tried to tell you now. Feel like that tour of the town yet?”
“You always were good at expressing your life through book, and Sure.”
We walked outside and talked to Danny as he came to check his mail. He said he was expecting a shipment of gold and silver on a stage headed there soon. Josh introduced himself and I searched the mailbox to find the letter for him. I wondered if it was the money he acquired because of the robbery, but I didn’t ask.
“Seems the stage is on its way,” Danny announced as he read the letter.
“Glad to hear it,” I smiled.
“The town’s money will be restored. You should right that up in your paper Ma’am.”
“I could do that… I plan to do a weekly issue. Think it’ll be here by Friday?”
“Tomorrow, the letter stated. “
“Great. Thanks, Danny. I’ll make a note of it.”
“You write that the banker of colorado springs has saved the peoples money with his own gold and silver to back the accounts at the bank.”
“Will do. Thanks for the article, Danny.”
Josh and I walked out of the office and I showed him the newspaper sign and then introduced him to Millard and Despres. We talked about the newspaper and how Josh was going to help with the photography. Josh sent a telegram to his place to get his baggage shipped to Colorado since it had been lost in transit.
We continued to tour the town and he nudged me in front of the sheriff’s office. “Ah so how many times have you been in there.”
“Never as a prisoner,” I glared at him, hoping it stayed that way. A dog wandered over then and I leaned down to pet it. “Oh it’s so adorable, Josh! Like the one we used to have!”
“I was just about to say that, You know before I left to come out here I got mom a new puppy.”
“Did you? Oh that’s good... she won’t be all alone then.”
“She named him after dad.”
“We need to go back and visit her soon,” I looked at him. “When is dad’s funeral?”
“Mom was going to send a letter to let me know. I gotta write her letting her know I found you.”
“I was just out there a couple months ago... It’s not like I kept my location secret, just never could go back there to live.”
“You know ma said you were home, and then you left so soon, She worried that something had happened that you had to leave so soon.”
“She knew about Jason… I just didn’t talk about things here with them much.”
“You know how mom is though, Always worrying.”
“When you read the books you’ll understand why.”
“Ok kiddo.”
We continued to walk down the street and I introduced Josh to Adder. “I’ve known Adder probably the longest out here.. Since I worked with him as a detective back in Amiville.”
“Ah you got the fun job,” Josh chuckled.
“It has its moments, aye,” he laughed.
Josh blinked then and asked, “Detective? Were you on the crazies or something?”
“Read the book. You’ll understand why,” I glared at him. “I gave him the book about Dutch Solo to read this morning,” I explained to Adder.
“How can I read the book when You have been giving me a tour?”
“Ah right,” Adder nodded.
“Figure there’s no better way to explain what I’ve been here than for him to just read it. Tell him, Taurus. I was a good detective.”
“Aye she was,” he nodded.
“See,” I nudged Josh. “I helped get the Black brothers in jail, did I not?” I winked at him.
“She always loved figuring out things as a kid like she was a detective,” Josh said.
“Yep,” Adder nodded and I hoped the fact I’d also been apart of the reason they’d escaped would be secret.
“Well I am glad you have tried out many things Kiddo,” Josh said.
“Never a dull moment.”
“And I am glad I have found you after all these years and everything that has happened,” Josh said.
“I told Adder this morning about why you were here,” I told Josh.
“Dreadful business, very sorry to hear about it,” Adder nodded.
“Thanks, Unfortunately that is the way of life. We just gotta keep pushing on, And I know our Father would be proud of all that Trin has accomplished,” Josh said
“Aye I reckon so.”
“Streets are somewhat peaceful today, eh Taurus?” I asked, wishing I knew more about the case I wasn’t allowed to investigate.
“Aye its been like this all day,” he nodded.
“That is cause I am here,” Josh chuckled and I rolled my eyes.
We said goodbye to Adder and headed to the grocery store to get dinner. The puppy followed us and we headed to the saloon to get a drink before continuing the tour.
When we reached the Apache village I pointed up and said, “That’s the apache village. Natives.”
We met a woman named Ella. I showed Josh the saloon in Devil’s Ditch and we fed a dog that came along with us. I named her Snowy since she was white and fluffy.
***
This afternoon I saw a crowd in front of the courthouse and walked over to Adder where he was standing on the steps of the sheriff’s office. The Apache war chief threatened Adder and called him a ‘no good lawman’ and I watched as Sasha walked off after him.
I walked over to Adder as the crowd faded and asked him, “Should I even ask?”
“Nah, the usual native stuff.”
“Any news about when that trial is for that story I’m not covering?”
“Nothing yet,” he shook his head.
“You do realize what you’re asking of me, right?” I asked him.
“I’m asking you not to prejudice an active case.”
“Fine,” I nodded and then turned when I saw Tom walking over. “Hey darling.”
“Hello, anything new?” he smiled.
“Apparently not.”
Suzi walked over then and I was surprised since I hadn’t seen her in a while. “That ya man?” she asked about Tom.
“Yep,” I smiled.
“Think he was in ma bed a couple times,” she said.
“Let’s go Tom,” I rolled my eyes and walked off with Tom. A colt followed me and Adder noted that it was the Natives. I ignored Suzi as she continued to make comments. We talked about how weird it was seeing Harley Buu as a soldier and Suzi continued to talk bad towards Harley and Luke.
“Someone wants to get killed today,” Adder observed.
“So it would seem.,” I nodded.
“Not sure why she wants trouble..Seems she’s always looking for it,” Tom commented.
Suzi continued to banter with the soldiers and then Tom and I headed to the saloon.
“So I showed Josh around town today... Think he’s settling in okay,” I said once we had our drinks.
“That’s nice, He liking it ok?”
“He is. Says he’s gonna ship over his photography stuff and help me out with the paper.”
“That will be nice.”
“Yeah. And I got a writer this morning to join the team too.. So I won’t be on my own for the next issue.”
“That’s nifty. A regular army of press…”
“Got a threat this mornin’ though. There’s an open case and I’m not allowed to investigate it or Adder said he’d lock me up. Can’t investigate till after the trial. First time he’s ever said that so it must be serious.”
“Isn’t that Illegal?”
“He doesn’t want another trial to be messed up like the last time.”
“Well, as long as they are fair, There shouldn’t be a problem.”
“What if I come across information for this case while investigating a different one?”
“He wouldn’t be able to do anything... Lawfully at least. I was told once, ‘If it comes to you, Report it.’”
“But he’s never looked at me like that before. Something’s different about this and it’s making me want to know even more. But I’ll abide by his wishes I guess.”
“Why? We need to stand up for what’s right, It’s the second amendment on the line. If that wasn’t important, it wouldn’t be in the constitution!”
“”Can we dance? I don’t feel like talkin’ about this anymore,” I sighed. “I can’t help what I hear. Hopefully they’ll have the trial by next issue anyway.”
“That’s fine, I just don’t trust the soldiers out here.. I’ve heard stories about them back home.. They get bored, and they like to stir up trouble. " he know’s he’s just fuelling the fire, and he stops his spiel about it. "Yeah, I think a dance will get all that suff out of our heads..”
We went over to the floor and started to dance to the music, enjoying the time together. We went for a walk and saw another crowd in front of the courthouse. I asked if he could see whether Marcus or Millard were over there and he went to look. When he came back he said that Adder was yelling at someone. We decided to head home and wait for word if we were needed.
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