March 18, 1870

Colorado. 

This afternoon I walked into the saloon and joined David for a drink. Luke walked in and I nodded to him, “Anything new, Private?” 

“Heard rumour the sheriff set fire to the Apache village.” 

“Oh really?” I raised an eyebrow. “Where’d ya hear that from?” 

“Seems to be going around the outpost, heard the Apache chief can prove it,” Luke said. 

“Oh can he?” I asked as conversation swirled around us. 

“Least that how I heard the rumour, but I can’t say I know for sure.” 

“Guess I’ll have to talk to Adder about that fire…” 

“While you’re talkin’ to him… See if he liked the present that was left on his front porch,” Luck chuckled.

“What present is that?” I looked at him. 

“Oh he’ll know what present. But just to be clear us Soldiers had nothing to do with it.” 

“You sure bout that, soldier? You seem pretty amused by the whole thing.” 

“Oh I am very amused by it! Glad to know others have the same option of the sheriff as I do,” he chuckled and I rolled my eyes. 

“Care to fill me in on more information, Sir?” I asked him. “What else aren’t you tellin’ me?” 

“I done told ya everything, miss. What else would you like to know?” 

“Just seem’s you’re holdin’ something back,” I shrugged. “You seem pretty sure it was Adder who did it.” 

“I may know what the present was, but I promise you don’t want to hear it from me. Sheriff Adder, I’m sure, will be much better at tellin’ you what it is.” 

“Okay then.” 

“Oh, about the fire. Naw, I ain’t sure ‘bout it. Just overheard the chief say he can prove it was Adder by rumour is all. Personally, I think if the sheriff did it I’d be more able to like him. But I always thought he was friendly to them savages.” 

“Okay then. Guess I have some conversations to have. You know more than I do,” I shrugged. “When was the fire on the Apache camp?” 

“I know nothing ma’am. I’m just a little old private serving my country.” 

“You mean the one Sunday? Just after the saloon fire? Last week?” 

“Yup, that’d be the one,” he nodded. 

“Still talkin about that are we? Goodness you’d think they would have started talking about that last week.” 

“Not when they are tryin to cover it up,” he chuckled. 

“You think they’d burn their own camp?” 

“Naw they wouldn’t have to do all that work. Heck all they’d have to do is ask. I’d be happy to do that for them.” 

“Then why did you say they were tryin’ to cover it up?” 

“I never said who they was,” Luke shook his head. 

“Then who do you think ‘they’ would refer to?” 

“Could be Apaches I guess, or maybe the town, but somebody’s trying to hide something in all this.” 

“Sounds like somethin’s goin on that we’re not hearing. Guess I’ll look into it.” 

“All I know it wasn’t us cav. guys ‘cause we’d fess right up to and be braggin’.” 

“Sure ya would,” I nodded.

“Kinda wish we would have thought of it though.” 

“Think I’ll go wander around and find out more about this. Sounds like a good first story for this week’s issue. Though it happened last week…” 

“Best of luck to ya. Oh don’t forget to get a story on the present too. Maybe you can run that as the joke for the week.” 

“Will have to find that out too,” I nodded. 

“I’m sure Sherif will have lots to say bout it,” Luke laughed. 

“For sure. See you later then I guess. Thanks for the tips. I’m sorry, I forget... Your first name is, Private?” I nodded. 

“I think this thing has a hole in it,” Luke looked down at his empty glass. “Call me private ma’am. I’ll always answer to that.” 

“Will do. Have a good rest of the day, Private,” I nodded and went over to the sheriff’s office. There was a picture on the post and I saw Luke heading back to the post and stopped him. “Private... This surprise.. Is it the picture on the wall there?” 

“Picture what?” he asked. 

“No matter. Don’t recognize the person on it. Just was wondering if that’s what you were referring to.” 

*** 

A few hours later I walked into the saloon and greeted everyone, only recognizing Jake Stone. I met the others and then suddenly heard gunshots outside. I wondered what was going on and headed out of the saloon. I asked TJ what was going on but he didn’t know either. I walked around the block and saw no one so went to the clinic, but it was empty, so I headed home.