Colorado.
This morning I walked into the saloon and talked with Bo and another man I didn’t recognize. He said he was looking for me and said that he was Dmitriy, Timmie’s brother. He talked about his grandfather passing away and we talked about the bistro opening up. He offered his assistance as a supply job and I hired him on. We started to work on opening the bistro and Dmitriy and I put together a menu for the food. We talked about the store with Bo and Dmitriy ran off to check prices on the items we were going to be selling. Dmitriy suggested putting an ad in the paper and I agreed we could make one.
Kilyko walked over to the bistro then and Dmitriy welcomed her. She walked off but gave me a simple wave before leaving. I knew I’d have to suck it up if I was going to be running the business downtown. I would have to move past my own tensions with people and get over it.
Dmitriy looked over at me and said, “She seemed like a nice lady.”
“Be careful with the natives, Kiddo. We don’t really get along with them anymore.”
“"She was a native? She seemed all fancy-like. Someone from the big city or somethin like that.”
“She’s the wife of a native man.... I’ve talked to her at their village. Just want you to be careful.”
“Oh I understand. I’ll try and be careful about that.”
“Don’t mean we won’t serve them, just.... Be sure your gun is loaded just in case.”
He patted his gun, showing confidence. “You can count on it, Miss Trin,” he said and looked around. “Now were are all our customers!!??”
“Great question,” I chuckled.
We talked with Bo as we waited for customers and then Bo told me, “I had some ladies in here that was going to rob me.”
“They didn’t succeed though, did they?”
“Nope. Told them wasn’t nothing to take. Some ladies out of Kingsley. One was asking a lot of questions.”
“Did you get any names?”
“Miss, I knew one of them.”
“Did you?”
“Done a dance or two with her.”
“Who was it?”
“Miss Icey.”
I thought to myself that I’d heard that name too many times lately and asked, “You want me to write an article about this, Bo?”
“Let me do some talking to them and try to find out some things. I see the one’s eyes a lot in town.”
“Okay. We can write something together. Keep me posted?”
“I got a feeling the robbed the bank.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes miss.”
“How do you think that?”
“Well as I said, I seen them eyes a lot. Miss, I was a marshal. I remember this stuff.”
“Sure, I ain’t doubting you, Bo.”
“I let ya know more as it unfolds.”
I raised my eyebrow as I saw Angelo walking over then. “Well hey there stranger!”
“Hi, Trin. Been a long time…”
“Feelin’ hungry?” I winked at him.
“I’m only stopping by to say ‘hi’. Some people won’t be happy to see me here,” he grinned.
“Well how ya been?”
“I’ve been okay.. How about you?”
“Doin good, just opened up a new business here.”
“Well congrats. Hope it works out good.”
“You and me both. Where you livin’ now?”
“Kingsley…”
I sighed, disappointed, as I said, “Really…”
“I think I better move on now before law dogs arrive.”
“Probably a good idea,” I nodded. “Stay safe out there, Angelo.”
“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. Ask Chels and Adder.”
“Oh, I know ya can,” I chuckled.
“Sir, did you know that drinkin on an empty stomach ain’t a good thing. So if I can recommend a good meal here at the bistro to complement your thirst quenchin from the saloon,” Dmitriy said to Angelo.
“Did u know that commanding me when I have an empty stomach is more dangerous than some alcohol…sir….?" Angelo looked at him.
“No sir, I was unaware, but it is my pleasure to help whenever I can,” Dmitriy grinned.
“Easy, Angelo... He didn’t mean anything by it,” I glared at Angelo.
“Don’t worry, I’m just kidding,” Angelo laughed.
“Better be,” I nodded. “Those lawmen you mentioned happen to be good friends of mine.”
“Anyway, I’ll catch up on you later, Trin. Was nice seeing you again,” he said. “I know they are your friends but I won’t doubt a second to shoot them down again if they bother me.”
“I’m sure the feeling’s mutual,” I said, somewhat coldly. I saw Adder walking over and smiled, as if his ears were burning.
“I can imagine,” Angelo laughed. “Good luck with your new shop. I’ll see you soon.”
“Thanks Angelo,” I nodded.
“Not leaving on my account are ya?” Adder coughed.
Angelo turned and saw Adder, giving him a slight nod with a grin. “Not at all sir. I told them a while ago that I would leave, even before I knew you were here. Unless you wanna buy me a beer?”
“Not particularly, no,” Adder said.
“Beer and a fish dish from the bistro..remember, empty stomach and such,” Dmitriy muttered.
I looked at Bo, wondering if he was going to talk about the incident here last night with Adder, but I didn’t bring it up. Dmitriy spun around and leaned close to me. “Miss Trin, can I ask you somethin?”
“Sure, kiddo. Anything.”
“When I got back into town, Timmie was mighty upset with the Sheriff on account of his arrestin the Mayor. I don’t know him. What should I make of that? Is he alright?”
I looked at the boy, concerned, not sure how Timmie was involved in the incident with the mayor. “Tell Timmie to come find me when he gets back into town, okay?”
“Alright, I will. Just sometimes he lets the wrong words slip from his mouth and I think its just cause he was on his own so much without any proper parenting. I don’t want his mouth to get him into any trouble cause we both know he is a good kid. I’ll have him chat with you,” he nodded.
“That’d be best. I’ll see what he knows and if it’s needed for him to talk to Adder,” I said quietly. Kilyko came back towards the bistro and I looked down at Dmitriy, “I have to head across the road and take care of something. I’ll be back in an hour or so.”
“Okay Miss Trin. See you soon. Stay safe,” Dmitriy said and I headed home.
***
I walked into the courtroom this afternoon and tried to make eye contact with Adder, showing that I was there to support him. Kevin was the lawyer in at the front and was questioning Chels. “I just have a couple of questions for you,” he said to her. “My question is this..did you see or were you anywhere near this incident?”
“I wasn’t there when the incident happened...was home,” Chels said.
“No further questions, your honor. I don’t know why this ‘witness’ is even up here,” Kevin shrugged and returned to his seat.
“Cause I was asked to be,” Chels muttered under her breath.
“You may step down marshal,” the judge said, and I tried to recognize him, but I couldn’t. I watched the proceedings carefully, wondering at which point we were at.
“Any other witnesses, sheriff? Er… prosecutor?” the judge asked Adder.
“Yes your honour. I have a couple more,” Adder nodded.
“Marshal... you ready with the bible and all the words?” the judge asked Chels, who was acting as the bailiff.
“I am your honor,” Chels nodded.
“I call Deputy Alva Tharnaby to the stand!” Adder exclaimed.
“I object you honor.. I never got a list of these witnesses,” Kevin shot up.
“I never got a list of yours either,” Adder pointed out.
“You knew who they were.”
“Nope,” Adder shook his head.
“Overruled, for this case…” the judge said.
“These witnesses were not even there your honor,” Kevin protested.
“Please take the stand Alva,” Adder instructed and Alva looked surprised, but she scrambled up to the stand.
“I think ya should none of this has to do with the case,” Bo grinned.
“Reckon the judge might find you in contempt if you’re not careful sunshine,” Adder shot a look at Bo.
Chels swore in Alva and Adder nodded to her when she was ready for questioning. “Deputy, how long have you known the defendant, Ms Free Feather?”
“I reckon since I moved here, some four five months.”
“And in that time, have you ever had cause to doubt her integrity?” he nodded.
“Objection your honor! Again..nothing to do with this case,” Kevin exclaimed.
“I can’t really say I have,” Alva shook her head slightly.
“I’ll allow it,” the judge said.
“We already dismissed other testimony about this,” Kevin said.
“Your honour, I believe this has everything to do with this case. It is about establishing the mayor’s true character,” Adder pointed out. Thank you sir. That wasn’t dismissed, the Judge dismissed a different aspect,” Adder looked at Kevin, and then back to Alva. “So, Alva. You’ve not had any cause to doubt the mayor as a fine, upstanding citizen? No links to say.... I don’t know.... attempted murder?”
“Objection! Again.. heresy!” Kevin yelled.
I remembered the mayor coming to me and coughed, a little too loudly.
“Your honor,” Kevin said. “Nothing to do with this case.”
“I’m amused so I’ll allow it,” the judge said.
“Actually! I do...there were two bandits here saying they were sent by the Mayor. Assassins...they were being paid to kill the Sheriff, they claimed,” Alva nodded and I smiled that she knew about that too.
“You heard them admit that, with your own ears?”
“Yes, I did,” Alva nodded.
“Claim… Nothing was proven,” Kevin said. “Your Honor!”
“I’m under oath, it’s not a claim, it’s what I heard!” Alva protested.
“There was nothing proven… this is heresy and not relevant to the case,” Kevin protested.
“No further questions your honour,” Adder nodded respectfully to the judge and returned to his seat.
“Are you going to rule on my objection your Honor?” Kevin asked.
“Okay defence… do your job. I said I’d allow it... and that’s final.”
“Ms. Alva…” Kevin got up and walked over to her. “Where were you at the time of this incident?”
“At what incident, be specific please,” Alva looked at him.
“Be specific?”
“WHAT incident??”
“Exactly. That’s all I have your honor.”
“You may step down,” the judge said and asked, “Prosecution. Your next witness.”
“Yes your honour, I have another witness,” Adder nodded. I call Trin Paige to the stand!”
I smiled and walked forward and heard Twist mutter, “Let’s bring up on the stand the town’s gossip. Pfft.”
I was sworn in and Adder began his line of questioning. “Trin, how long have you known the defendant?”
“Well since I lived in Colorado the first time... So I guess... six months or so.”
“And, this court has already heard about a previous investigation into the mayor and some horses of dubious origin. You were involved in that investigation, perhaps you could tell the court about why it ground to a halt?”
“Sure. It came to a screeching halt because the chief she claimed to have given her the horses didn’t actually exist."
“Your honor..we have not seen any relevance to this at all..these are not witness to the matter at hand,” Kevin protested.
“A non-existent Chief!” Adder chuckled.
“I can’t remember the exact name she and her lawyer Frank used, but I asked several people around and they all said that said chief did not exist,” I told him.
“Your honor… objection... obviously rehearsed.”
“Rehearsed? Not at all. Quit scrambling,” Adder rolled his eyes. “Not a great example of the mayor’s character.”
“I object to this line of questioning your honor. What is the defendant on trail for?” Kevin asked.
“No sir,” I shook my head, catching Free’s look.
“So far all I and the jury have heard is testimony of the character of the plaintiff... let’s get to the meat of the case,” the judge requested.
“Have you ever had any other cause to doubt her integrity?”
“Indeed. When she came to me asking if I knew of a hitman.”
“Your honor, You already ruled.. this is not the right line of questioning,” Kevin said.
“You knew…?” Adder looked at me, shocked.
“Without knowing who the target was, I brought her someone I knew but she said it had to be someone from out of town as it was too dangerous,” I said and saw Free shaking her head at me.
“Your honor… I would question the integrity of somebody waiting until NOW to say this,” Kevin protested.
“I figured I’d bring her someone and get her to talk about who she wanted to shoot…” I told Adder. “I had no idea that you were the target, Sheriff. None at all. Why would I write an article about it?” I asked the court.
“You ruled your honor..and yet they continue with this fabrication,” Kevin said.
“That was the hardest article I’d ever had to write. I had no idea that you were the one she wanted shot,” I looked into Adder’s eyes, getting emotional. He was my best friend, and I could tell that he was genuinely shocked.
“This is a sham. You rule and yet it still goes on,” Kevin argued.
“I tried to get it out of the mayor but she wouldn’t tell me anything,” I insisted.
“Very well.... uh...next question,” Adder nodded. “The horse in question, my horse. You know it reasonably well, yes?”
“Yes, Flower,” I nodded, keeping my gaze directly on Adder.
The judge grabbed his gavel and slammed it on the desk, making me jump. “This a trial documented on this piece of paper…” he declared said.
“And I am asking about the stolen horse now,” Adder pointed out.
“You do know the penalties for perjury, right?” the judge looked right at me.
“Indeed. And everything I tell you and everything I print in that paper is the truth,” I nodded. “Anyone who has known me long enough will know that about me,” I said, looking from Jake to Chels, and back to Adder.
“She’s the last person who’d lie after swearing on the bible,” Adder nodded and I smiled to him as I saw Jake nod.
“Still has nothing to do with this trail. This is a waste of all of our time,” Kevin protested.
“Your honour, the constant chattering from the audience is clearly confusing my learned friend here. I just asked the witness a question about the horse at the centre of this case,” Adder gestured towards Twist.
“So we are getting the character of the horse now?” Kevin protested. “Perfect.”
“May I proceed?” Adder looked back at the judge.
“I trust the jury knows the penalty for horse theft and remembers the words ‘beyond a shadow of a doubt’,” the judge looked at both lawyers.
“Now this I want to hear.. Let’s see if he is a good horsey,” Kevin rolled his eyes.
“She,” Adder looked at the other lawyer.
“Uh huh. She,” Kevin rolled her eyes.
“Proceed,” the judge nodded.
“Trin, is it fair to say my horse is trained and ridable? A horse that can be led quite easily and is comfortable around people?" Adder asked.
“Absolutely true. That horse will follow anyone who’s friendly to her.”
“So, if someone gently took hold of the halter and pulled slightly, she would go?”
“Sure she would.”
“And it wouldn’t look, perhaps to someone standing slightly too far away, like the horse was being stolen?”
“Nope. Would look like Flower knew the person who she was going with.”
“Thank you. No further questions your honour,” Adder nodded and muttered towards the defense lawyer. “You’re gonna love my next witness.”
I looked at the lawyer I just met yesterday in the saloon and then looked back. Kevin walked over to me and greeted me. “We met last night did we not?”
“We did indeed. At the saloon. You were dancing with your wife.”
“When I asked you about the trail..did you not say you knew nothing about it?”
“I knew that there would probably be a trial, and I guessed that it would be about this horse theft, but I wasn’t under oath of the Bible last night, Sir. We’d just met. I wasn’t going to share everything I knew with a brand new person in town.”
“But you are now.. and your credibility as a witness is at stake.”
“And I haven’t lied once.”
“Are you saying you lied last night?”
“Last night? I wasn’t at liberty to talk about the trial last night.”
“Or did you say you were going to write about it in the newspaper..perhaps to make money from readership?”
“I may have withheld information knowing that I would probably be called upon in court. I wasn’t going to put my testimony in jeopardy by spreading information around town that I didn’t know.”
“I am allowed to talk to witnesses..and you are required to talk to the defense lawyer.”
“Of course I was going to write about it in the paper. After the trial. When everything was out in the open and public.”
“Your honor..the prosecutor did willingly know there was a witness and I was not allowed to speak to her,” Kevin said. “So she could sell her story.”
“Sir, the paper hasn’t come out yet,” I sighed and looked over at Adder.
“And I won’t further talk about the travesty of talking about a horses character,” Kevin said.
“It won’t until AFTER this trial. After it’s out in the open,” I declared.
“Objection. He never gave me a list of his witnesses either. He would prejudice this inquiry whilst becoming intoxicated in the saloon talking to witnesses! He wishes to make a mockery of proceedings!” Adder exclaimed.
“And even then I’m not going to lie about its contents as there are several people here who would discredit me,” I told him.
“There you go your honor..she is going to use this trail in her newspaper.”
“This trial is news. But do you see the girl in the front row there?” I asked.
“Newspapers report the news. Buffoon,” Adder muttered.
“Sir, I report news in town,” I sighed. That’s my writer, Honey. I invited her here to cover this story for the paper.”
“No further questions, your honor. A witness writing her own story,” Kevin said and I rolled my eyes, thinking he hadn’t heard what I just said.
“You two… Did either of you ask?” the judge asked. “I mean out and ask for each others witnesses?”
“I’ve been too busy fighting the bandits who would burn this town to the ground, your honour,” Adder said.
“I said who my witnesses were,” Kevin said.
“In fact, I was kidnapped but two days ago,” Adder pointed out.
“And Ms. Trin knew she was going to be a witness,” Kevin said.
“Sir, I never said I knew. I said I assumed,” I pointed out and watched as Timmie walked out with a downcast face.
“I have but one final witness sir,” Adder said.
“It’s your option the volunteer and your obligation to ask... “ the judge slammed the gavel on the desk again. “Proceed.”
I looked up at the judge, wondering if I could step down. When he gave me permission, I headed back to my seat as Adder said, “I wish to take the stand myself, sir. As an eyewitness to the alleged theft.”
Chels swore him in and I leaned back to whisper to Honey my thanks for her being there. Adder was sworn in and then the judge called for a five minute recess.
“Your honor, I move that we continue the trial tomorrow at the same time,” Kevin requested.
I listened to the people bantering around me and we waited for court to continue again. The judge came back eventually and made sure Adder knew he was under oath, and then said that he could proceed.
“Sir, as I cant question myself, I have prepared a copy of the testimony I handed to you, to read to the court, if I may,” he said and the judge allowed him to proceed. He nodded and took a deep breath. “Free feather led my horse to my house. She claimed that the horse made a mess in the general store, and demanded money from me. She showed me no proof. She said she would take my horse if I did not acquiesce to her demands. That is extortion. I told her to leave the horse. I drew my guns and warned her. She tried to flee, and I pursued her. Initially she tried to flee with the horse, but dropped the leash quickly. I subdued her and brought her in, watched by Marshals Seetan and Despres. To this day I am yet to see any evidence of her claims That is all, your honour.”
“If you don’t mind your honor for the sake of expediency I will ask my questions from my seat,” Kevin said.
“Lazy,” Adder coughed.
“Sheriff, is the mayor somebody you fear?”
“No sir.”
“Can she beat you up in a fight?”
“Beat me up? If you mean a physical fight, no, I doubt it. In a gunfight however, all it takes is one bullet. A man just needs to be unlucky to get killed.”
“Can she, Sheriff? Is that why you shot her with her back turned to you?”
“And that day, the mayor WAS armed, with two pistols,” Adder clarified.
“No further questions, your honor,” Kevin said.
“I shot at a fleeing felon. My job is to apprehend criminals, and I’m bloody good at it,” Adder shook his head.
“Never asked anything more of him your honor,” Kevin stated.
“You may step down sheriff,” the judge sighed and as Adder sat down, I made eye contact with him saying we needed to talk later.
“Okay… Your closing statements gentlemen,” the judge said.
“Your honor? I have witnesses. Real witnesses,” Kevin declared.
“Ahhh... please proceed then,” the judge said and I thought to myself ‘this should be fun’.
“Your honor I would like to call to the stand Twist Toocool.”
Twist was brought forward and sworn in, and then Kevin began his questioning. “Ms Twist, what is your occupation?”
“I am a mother and a wife. Also a healer.”
“A healer..one who helps people.. and you treated the Mayor that night the sheriff shot her. Correct?”
“That is correct, I sure did. What I could, under the circumstance.”
When the judge announced that court would be continued tomorrow, due to the length of the trial, I stood and headed home.
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