April 30, 1870

Kingsley. 

This morning I headed down to Kingsley for a change of scenery and sipped my coffee in front of the saloon. When I saw Adder and another dog with him I waved, “Fancy meetin’ you here.” 

“Howdy Trin.” 

A woman rode over to us and greeted us. “Beautiful brand on their vest. What they will miss her?” the woman asked in broken English. 

“Just chatting with my friend here. Nice morning for a walk,” I told the woman. 

“Pinkerton,” she murmured, eying my badge. “Like the badge. So what they miss lead by Kingsley? Chat?” 

“Talk,” I smiled. 

“I’ll are they doing me a favour," she chuckled softly. “Place it on the badge when the Mexican see they are in the shush.” She smiled wide and said, “We do not want that.” 

“In all honesty I haven’t worked in months. Don’t really have a boss or anything anymore... Just wear the badge for decoration I guess," I told the girl the half truth.

“Probably best you don’t wear it trin. Trust me.” 

"If they want to live longer, I recommend to take it from abuse," The girl suggested. 

I nodded and took the badge off, putting it in my pocket. “There, see? No more badge.” 

“Ooh…” she looked over at Adder. “I have a picture of it. Nice greetings from Allesio,” she reached into her bags and handed it over. 

“Thanks,” he stepped over and took a look. 

“If you please mister taurus,” the girl said. 

I took out my flask and sipped some whiskey as I looked at her. “Nice to meet you. I’m Trin. Been looking for information on some Apache that have been causing trouble. Had my gun pointed at them the other day.” 

“They call me ‘Nat’," she chuckled. “Nice to meet you Trin.” 

“Good to meet you, Nat. Adder will tell you I haven’t stepped foot in an office in months.” 

She looked at Adder and said, “I think they are there in the picture,” she winked. 

“Aye,” Adder chuckled and I wondered who much this woman actually knew. 

“For an ex sheriff surprising mister. If I may say that,” Nat said to him. 

“Surprising in a good way? Or in a bad way?” 

“I’ll take the bad mister Taurus... I’m so happy to church to confess,” she laughed and we laughed with her. “And since they are no longer sheriff mister Taurus maybe they want to follow my way and to join Allesio?” 

“Well, thats an interesting suggestion. I was hoping to speak to my amigo, Tuco. I’m looking for work in these parts. I’ll have to give it some consideration,” Adder said. 

“I’m gonna see if there’s a hotel somewhere,” I said, not surprised at this development at all. 

“Okay Trin,” Adder nodded to me. 

“Tuco is a good man, a good chef for his outlaws.... but I think a man of a senior citizen has its shoots what city deserves better than Sheriff?” Nat said to Adder. “They do not mean mister Taurus?”  

“Nice to meet you,” I smiled at Nat and she smiled briefly at me. 

I headed into the saloon and started to play the piano. Kilyko came in and greeted me. “Bored?” she laughed. 

“Yes, bored as heck. Came down to find information and got nothin’. Found Adder talking with a gang member. Are we moving?” 

“I see… Well I have something I need to attend to…” 

“Come on, Kilyko," I looked at her, wanting an answer to the question. 

“I am,” she shrugged. “I'll see you later,” she waved at me as I noticed a man sitting at the counter and she headed out of the saloon. 

I sighed and asked the man if everything was okay and Kilyko came back in asking if I’d seen Teru or Akame, but I hadn’t seen either dog. Nat came into the saloon and I asked if I could get her a drink. The man told Nat that he’d been around the town with a girl named Icey and I nodded that I recognized it. 

“I know hardly anyone here and I forget everything,” Nat told the man. “I drink too much mister, sorry,” she laughed. “But then I think Pinkerton is responsible for information call.” 

I wondered to myself what I was going to do now, since I apparently couldn’t be a detective anymore if we were moving to Kingsley. “Was an old profession, really. Just wore the badge to get information for the stories I write now. I don’t even talk to any lawman anymore,” I admitted. 

“Mister… they have already visited the fee for Kingsley of fifty coins paid?” Nat asked the man. 

“I’ve got pretty much nothing left,” I sighed, drinking my whiskey as I looked over and nodded to Kilyko at the door. 

“Well are you interested in a job easy really but it involves gunplay if needed,” the man said. 

“What kind of job?” I asked. 

“I hate weapons mister, violent..” Nat laughed. “But my question was whether they have already paid the fee visitors?” 

“Well everywhere I go there’s trouble,” the man said. “I can watch my back so many times. Could use backup, and you know someone to talk to… gets crazy out there, and I’ll pay ya ninety coins a week.” 

“It’s been a while since I’ve shot this rifle,” I lied. “Doubt I’d be much use to you as a bodyguard.” 

“Now if they can already spend as much coins…” Nat extended her hand. "Then please pay but the visitors fee for Kingsley.... 50 coins... I’ll give the honest mayor.” 

I looked over at the woman and said, “I already paid my fee when I visited the last time. Gonna be paying plenty with paying for a room upstairs now it would seem.” I looked back to the man and said, “Now if it’s information you want instead of a gunslinger... that I might be able to help you with.” 

“Such a pitch as well, I’ll come into the poor house," Nat chuckled. 

“Was a nice effort," I winked at Nat. 

“We do what we can,” she winked back. 

“That we do,” I sighed, knowing that right now I couldn’t do much. 

He looked at my gun and cleaned fifty coins to Nat. “Here. If you change your mind, let me know. Careful with that rifle… It’s been fired not too long ago,” he stood and winked. 

“Yes life is hard for us women in this country, unfortunately,” Nat said. 

I sighed, watching him walk out, and looked over at Nat. “Okay, yeah I shot this thing recently but not at any gang members. Was out trying to protect Adder against some natives.” 

“Adder is already clear when he deposits his hillside to shoot mayor,” she laughed. “Adder like looking away from the wrong ones.” 

We watched as the white dog came into the saloon again and jumped up on the counter. “And you are looking for work?” Nat asked me. 

“I don’t know. Kind of feeling lost these days to be honest,” I sipped my whiskey. 

“Max is the sheriff of Kingsley. Still looking for efficient deputy, and the hotel is also sought.” 

“The hotel upstairs here in the saloon you mean? Or is there a different hotel?” 

“No… A little down in the French territory is the hotel. The casino and even people looking… In New Orleans.” 

“Oh I see, I’ll have to wander down that way.” 

“Are well paid.”

“Good to hear.” 

“But I think the casino is not for them. Hotel or deputy would fit.” 

“You think you know me that well huh?” I looked at her. 

“I do not know anyone… I think. Good casino staff there are very few.... who can make one rich and the other to bring the begging rod? Can you do that? Adder do you know well?” 

“I’ve known him a long time. He is a good friend," I nodded. 

“Tell him to please…” 

"Tell him what?” 

“I only know casually Adder. A couple fighting together… then the rumors… I think he is very orderly.” 

“Rumors?” 

“Mayor shot.. sheriff job abandoned… What to look for new… Then in a bad transition. Now here.” 

“I’ll be honest he doesn’t really tell me that much. I didn’t even expect to run into him here this morning.” 

“Adder is in a bad way,” she nodded. “I always had respect for him. An ordinary sheriff… honest, fair.” 

“How long have you lived in Kingsley?” 

“My father was regenmacher and quack… He was hanged. I’ve lived here a long time,” she laughed. 

“I am sorry to hear about your father.” 

“Not bad,” she laughed. “He was not the best father.” 

“My father was killed just recently too," I admitted. 

“He shoot me and put in cheat. I’m sorry for you.” 

“I found out a couple months ago... my brother came down to tell me that gang members had shot him at our ranch up north.” 

“What gang?” 

“We never figured it out,” I shook my head. 

“Distressing.” 

“Indeed.” 

“I’m the judge, the sheriff shot the appended my father “ she laughed. “As it is in ‘the revenge is mine’ Bible. You should look to you for a nicer place to live … My sister lives in Amiville… She's fine.” I swallowed hard and shook my head. “Problems in Amiville?” 

“It is a place I would rather leave in the past, to be honest.” 

“It is peaceful there, not like in Kingsley. Here you’re fast, tough or dead.” 

I shook my head, not thinking Amiville was much more peaceful than here. “I guess I should go find that hotel,” I stood. 

“Yes.. safe routes. So long.” 

“Thank you for the chat. It was good company,” I smiled at her. 

“Take care of yourself,” she winked. 

I headed back to my cabin in Oregon and sighed, wondering why I would want to leave such a gorgeous place, but I knew I would be completely alone if I stayed.

I rode back to Kingsley and greeted a man there who told me his name was Allesio. 

“What do you do ’round here?” I asked after we shook hands. 

“Well lemme say me and my fellows are the protecters of this land.” 

“Oh are ya?” I raised an eyebrow. “Legally or…?” 

“Of course. If anybody attack this lands he get trouble with us.” 

“Good to hear,” I smiled. 

“We stick together with the law. But we ain’t law.” 

“Ain’t sure how safe I am out here... Or anywhere, for that matter. Kinda have natives breathing down my neck these days it would seem. Not to mention the Black Hills Bandits. You heard of ’em?” 

“Of course,” he laughed. “I shoot their arses off every time we meet. Here you will be safe because of us. Outside, many Indians around.” 

“They robbed me last week. And since then I’ve been in two gunfights with the Natives.” 

“So if you stay here we protect ya. We fight natives and the black hills and the red jacks.” 

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. I’ve pretty much got nothin’ left,” I sighed. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with my time now.” 

“Where are ya from?” 

“Maybe ya could write another book, Trin. The last one was so thrilling,” Harley Buu came over then. 

“Hey stranger,” I nodded to him. 

“Oh my gosh,” Allesio looked at him. 

“What, Allesio?” Buu looked down at himself.

“There are some people around who wanna die every day. I dunno why,” Allesio told me and I chuckled, stepping back. 

“Well you ain’t got very many people with ya. Just you now? What’s a matter? Cat got your tongue? Or maybe Trin’s got it?” 

“Why should I talk to ya?” 

“I’m in conversation with this woman,” Allesio said and Harley laughed. “She deserves my talkin’, not you.” 

“Howdy Allesio!” a man walked over then. 

“Hey Max,” Allesio greeted the man and the woman who’d walked over. I had the feeling we were being surrounded and sighed, this picture becoming all too familiar. 

“Is there any problem?” Max asked. 

“Well well what we got her,” said a woman I recognized as Icey. 

“As I recall, last time you shot me in the back. How very brave of you,” Harley glared at Allesio. 

“Hmm not yet Max, but there will be soon I think. In your back?” Allesio laughed. 

“Find yerself any little females eh?” asked one of the men who I didn’t recognize, and I saw Icey resting her hands on her guns. 

“Why I should waste my ammo for ya?” Allesio asked. 

“Who want to make problems in my town?” Max asked and I stepped back, realizing that he was the sheriff. 

“You fellas duelling?” asked a woman standing nearby.

“What funny guys you have with ya, Buu?” Allesio asked him. “Where’s your loyalists?” 

“You want to duel?” Max asked. 

“You accept my challenge, Allesio?” Harley asked. 

“You bought them both on slave market? Oh hell no.” 

I walked over to the sheriff’s office and looked at Max. “You mind if I go inside, Sheriff?” 

“Sure,” he nodded to me. 

I gave Allesio a look before walking into the law office. I sighed, realizing this was probably going to be situation normal from now on. I sat in the chair and listened to them arguing outside through the thin window. Max told Allesio to tell him if there were any issues and then all of a suddenly there was gunshots. I stepped outside to see if Allesio was okay and I stopped in my tracks when I saw Icca, the undertaker from Amiville and Georgetown. I looked both ways, not sure what to do now. 

“Miss do you want anything?” Max asked me. 

“I…” I swallowed hard, not having expected to see Icca there. “Yeah… Can we chat in your office?” 

“Wanna come in for a drink Trin?” Icca asked and I ignored his request as Max led the way into the office. 

“What do you want miss?” Max asked. 

“I was wondering if you had any need for an investigator. Someone to get information for you without wearing the badge. Seems like you’ve got a lot of violence in this area,” I commented as the gunfights continued. 

“Sometimes,” he laughed. 

“Name’s Trin Paige,” I introduced myself. “I’ve worked as a detective, private investigator, deputy, and Pinkerton agent.” 

“Sometimes it is a silent city sometime it is loud of guns.” 

“Finding out the truth is my passion. Giving that truth to those who need it is my mission.” 

“Oh so you are a private investigator?” 

I nodded and said, “That’s why I avoid being in gunfights. Someone once told me that the information I gain is more important than the battles I fight. If I can get high up and snipe from above I’ll do it if I have to, but it’s not my strength.” 

“Oh and you are searching a job in this town ?” 

“I’m just offering my services wherever I go,” I smiled to him. “I don’t really stay in one place long, to be honest. But I’ll stay somewhere as long as I’m needed.” 

“So you travel from town to town?” 

“If I need to, I have a home to escape somewhere but for the most part I am traveling around looking to provide assistance where I can.” 

“I understand, I understand… We have not much cases… Only two at this time.” 

“Sheriff, I know there are several gangs in the area. I’m sure that information on them would be invaluable to you.” 

“Ah the calvaras and the scorpions a normal citizen in this town. They do nothing in this town.” 

“And the Red Jackets and the Black Bandits, not to mention the several Native tribes…” 

“About needing information about native tribes, contact maybe Mr. Allesio. He hate them.” 

“I will definitely talk to him about that.” 

“Okay.” 

“I just want you to know that my services are available to you as well.” 

“Thank you miss.” 

“I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name, Sheriff.” 

“All call me Max.” 

“Pleasure to meet you, Max.” 

“Me too, Missus Paige.” 

“If I’m calling you Max, you can call me Trin,” I smiled and stood. “I won’t take up anymore of your time, I’m sure you’re a busy man. But thank you for this chat.” 

“I wish you a good day miss,” he smiled as I headed out of the office. 

I walked into the saloon and saw Harley with a woman who I didn’t know. “So this is where you’ve disappeared to,” I said to him. 

“I’m checking on my friend, Trin,” he told me. 

“Looks like we won that battle, thanks to Sam,” said the person I didn’t know. 

“I ain’t here to cause trouble. Just getting a drink,” I nodded and went to the counter. 

“It was a timely arrival,” Harley nodded. “I’ve never even met the guy before.” 

I listened to them talking as I went to get a drink and Harley talked about healing Nikki over in Texas. I wondered which corrupt group they were talking about eliminating, though I guessed it was the law. I heard Harley talking about Sniper and sighed as I headed out of the saloon. I nodded to the man in front of the clinic, recognizing Angelo, but didn’t say anything to him and just kept walking. 

*** 

This evening I walked over to a horse and pet him, feeding him an apple. Kilyko walked over and I greeted her. “How are you tonight?” 

“Maybe just a little busy after,” she coughed, “An explosion,” she said and laughed. 

“Looks like you’re gonna be busy around here,” I laughed and she nodded as she puffed on her cigar. “Was just greeting this horse here. Thought he looked like Star but it must be a different one. This one doesn’t recognize me,” 

“Oh I see.” 

“You’ll notice I took something off by the way,” I said, pointing to where my badge used to be. 

“I see, that probably a good idea!” she smirked and nodded, glancing to a girl that came over. 

“I thought as much,” I nodded. 

Kilyko asked where Teru was and we talked with the girl that walked over to pet the horse. A woman walked over and asked if everyone had returned safely and Kilyko asked, “Returned from what I just woke up!” 

“I believe they ran off some ruffians,” the woman said.

“What type of ruffians?” Kilyko asked. 

“Well depends on which side of the Fort they were on, indian on the west and bandits on the east.” 

“Which indians?” I asked. 

“Naked ones… they all look alike to me,” she said and I chuckled. 

“Which bandits? And which tribe?” Kilyko asked. 

“Hola. I do not know you both. I am Jesus Villanueva. Some call me El Serpiente,” a man walked over and introduced himself. 

“Well the indian was short, squat almost and only wore a loincloth. I think he wore three feathers in his hair and he well had a scraggly beard as if he had just hit puberty,” the girl described and greeted the man. 

“Howdy Jesus I am Kilyko a new doctor in town..” Kilyko said. “Jabuu it sounds,” she scowled at the woman. 

“Very well, dear Lady. How are you this day?” Jesus asked. 

“Hello El Serpiente,” I smiled. “Name’s Trin.” 

“As for the bandits. I only caught sight of Billy Talon but there was more than just his gang here so not sure if he had hired more men,” the woman waved her hand slightly and I perked at that. 

“Billy is a snake I have to pay his barn a visit again.. damn near burnt my pups up lighting my house on fire… I am not a normal trained doctor in your peoples ways I am a native medicine woman,” Kilyko shrugged. 

“Billy and Sky managed to rob me once recently. Still would like to get revenge for that,” I said. 

“Oh,” the waman’s face fell. 

“Mucho gusto. Mucho gusto. A doctor. A woman doctor. How nice,” Jesus grinned. 

“I do know a bit of your peoples ways of doctoring from Miss Ida in Colorado so I mix my treatments..” Kilyko grinned. 

“Well I was hoping....you see most our healers are hacks. bandage a bullet wound kind. I was hoping to well…” the woman bit her lip worriedly. 

“I see… hoping to learn?” Kilyko raised an eyebrow. 

“Hay, ees some kind of doctor, no?” Jesus looked at Kilyko and her cigar. 

“No I know enough to do that from the war. I was just tired of traveling all the way to Breckinridge for my checkups,” the woman said. 

I saw Allesio walking down the street and went over to him, since the conversation between Kilyko and the others had nothing to do with me. “Good to see you still walking about,” I smiled to him. 

“Sounds good the air not filled with bullets anymore.” 

“Was wondering if we could continue our conversation at the saloon?” I asked him. 

“Well Trin, come with me,” he nodded and I followed him up a long hill with winding staircases. It was more of a mountain and I was tired by the time we reached the top of the hill. There were buildings scattered about as well and it looked like a hideout of some sort. 

“Take a seat,” he invited and I sat in a chair across from him. 

“Quite the view from up here.” 

“Yes it is. So what’s the matter?” he smiled at me. 

“I just feel kinda lost these days,” I admitted. “I went from being a lawman to being a reporter and now I’m not really sure what I want to do… Sharing the truth has always been a passion of mine, but I don’t really want to do it in the context of a newspaper anymore.” 

“Well in this land you can do what ya want. We have many jobs down in the town.” 

“See this is the thing... I don’t want a title I don’t think. I want to help people however I can.... by sharing valuable information. I’m not sure I could do that while having a title or a badge.” 

“Understand..” 

“So if I can help you in any way, Allesio…” 

“Well I can offer you to be with us, the Scorpions, or with the Calaveras. If you wanna do anything in the town you have to talk to the mayor Saiman. We need every help in every kind.” 

“I offer assistance to all, I don’t want to pick and choose. If you need information about a certain group, or an event that happens, come find me,” I summed up. 

“Well I will remember that, but where can I find you? Here or in another town?” 

“I have a hotel room here in the saloon in Kingsley,” I told him. 

“Ah cool, so you met Riyke? She’s the innkeeper in saloon.”

“No I haven’t,” I shook my head. 

“Okay.” 

“I’m still trying to meet people…” 

“Well she’s my girl, so if I need ya I will find ya, don’t worry.” 

“Fantastic,” I smiled. “And by the way... I don’t want payment for this. Only protection.” 

“If you live here and being member of this community, you will be safe with our lives.” 

“It’s getting late and you must be busy, so I won’t keep up too much of your time,” I smiled and stood. 

“Ok thank ya for your yer offer and nice to meet ya Trin.” 

“Take me up on it,” I smiled and stood to shake his hand as he took off his glove. I held his hand for a few moments and held his gaze as a sign of trust before we said goodnight and I headed back down the hill. 

I found Kilyko in front of the clinic and chuckled, “Thought you woulda been inside the clinic.” 

I was till I heard howling….” 

“Hey there Teru,” I smiled down at the puppy as she barked in greeting. “She got into some more trouble, huh?” 

“When does she not?” Kilyko laughed. 

“Well I just had a very productive conversation with the leader of the Scorpions.” 

“I am a little worried have not seen Saiya or Akame for a few day’s.. Oh and what is happening now?” 

“Nothing really happening other than what you know. Just offering my services as an informant. In return for protection,” I winked at her. 

“Just be safe sister all I ask..” Kilyko laughed hard. 

“He promised to protect me, I should be fine,” I smiled. 

“Well there you have it something to do…” she grinned. 

“Offered that same service to the lawmen as well,” I whispered after looking around. 

“I wouldn’t reckon that is a good idea…" 

“I’m bored, Kilyko. And they won’t know the difference. I’m basically being like the newspaper reporter, but privately.” 

“Yes but if you get into some kind of trouble with opposing side’s it put’s me and Sun Stone right in the middle of it…” 

“I wasn’t the one who decided to move here, now was I?” 

“No but we ain’t here to stir trouble…" 

“What do you want me to do? Sit in the saloon and talk to people all day?” 

“Pick a side…” 

“The Scorpion leader said they worked with the law. So I basically have.” 

“Hope you are right!” Kilyko said. “Oh I have something we need to chat about but tomorrow. I think it will please you..” 

“I need to go to bed. Have a good night?” I asked, doubting that it would please me, but I said, “We’ll talk tomorrow.” 

“I’ll try if this one stay’s out of trouble!” she grinned. “You get some rest got a few things I need to be doing…” 

“See you tomorrow hon,” I hugged her and reached down to pet Teru before heading to the saloon hotel.