April 8, 1870

Colorado. 

This afternoon I asked Jake and Chels if they’d seen Adder. Chels said that he was in the clinic because there were some outlaws there earlier and I saw the bandage she wore on her arm. 

“What happened? What did the outlaws want this time?” I asked, narrowing my eyebrows. 

“Wanted to take me… hold me for ransom,” Chels sighed. 

“Wow…” I raised an eyebrow. 

“Don't flatter yaself Marshal Seetan,” Jake smirked. 

“Reckon I'll go see if Adder's okay,” I said. 

“They trying to get there bail money back,” Chels said. 

“Didn't go so well for them, huh?” 

“Well..thanks to Harley helping us.” 

“Who else helped?” 

“That’s it… Sheriff and me first...then I guess one girl went for help and Harley came.” 

“So they wanted their bail money back and were gonna take you ’till they got it?” 

“Yes they tried… but didn’t go as planned.” 

“Are any of them in our cells or did they get away? How many were there this time?” 

“They got away...not sure six or so..might of been more,” Chels said. 

“So a good group of them. Same as before or new ones? Can I take this on record, Marshal? Anything you want to add, Despres?” I looked over at him, knowing he was always good for the clincher quote when I needed it. 

“Hmm…” he said, thinking hard. 

“ure ya can. I think that Mister Seman needs to get better control of his workers,” Chels said. 

“Yes!! Everything is now back to normal... We’ve got it under control,” Jake said after a while, though I could sense his uncertainty. 

“You tryin’ to convince me or yourself, Jake?” I asked. 

“Suuuure,” he chuckled. “Everythin’ is dandy Miss Trin….” he pointed to the streets. “Not a soul and no bullets flyin’... Heck even kids can play here,” he said, smirking seeing Timmie playing in the streets. 

“Sheriff, good to see you’re okay. Was just about to come find you,” I saw Adder walking over and we greeted one another. “We were just talkin’ about the attack from the outlaws and how they wanted to take Chels in return for the bail money. Anything you want to add to the story?” I winked. 

“Aye.... they told me we had no choice,” he nodded. 

“So you met their no choice with bullets and gave them no choice?” I smiled. 

“I told em I do have a choice….” Adder pushed his coat back. “Shotguns or pistols. I chose shotguns.” 

We chuckled and I asked, “How did they manage to get away then?” 

“Five of them, two of us. And they had back up over the border.” 

“All I could see were about six or so shooting at me,” Chels said. 

“This happened just a few hours ago?” I asked. 

“Aye,” Adder nodded. 

“Here is something for the paper… Mister Seman might not have any miners left once we are done with them,” Chels said. 

“Though they spend so much time coming out here, I don’t know when they get any mining done!” Adder said. When I asked him if there was anything else I should know and he said, “Aye. The Mayor is going to court.” 

“What?!” I choked. 

“Tried to steal my horse. Shot her. Arrested her. Charged her. We’re waiting on a Judge to set a date for her trial,” Adder said matter-of-factly. 

“Why’d she try to steal your horse?” 

“Wait for the trial, Trin,” he shook his head. 

I sighed and shifted on my feet, knowing I couldn’t do an article until then. “Fine, I’ll wait.” 

I went to the office and met Timmie who wanted to work as a paper boy. I promised him I’d pay him thirty coins at the end of each day he worked for me. I went to the saloon and talked with Bo about playing piano there Monday nights. He loved the idea and let me play piano right away, and people came to listen. When the set was finished I headed home.