May 20, 1899

Tombstone. 

This morning I woke up bright and early and looked around the room, feeling disoriented. My head was pounding but I realized I was in the hotel room upstairs at the Russ Hotel. I remembered the news I’d received last night about Georgetown and leaned back on the bed with a sigh. I heard talking downstairs and decided to face the music. I walked downstairs, needing coffee and wanting my gun back. I felt naked without it. 

Tye and Peta were talking when I entered the kitchen. Peta was saying, “I set the mayor’s pants on fire.” 

Tye looked over at me. “Pinky. Good morning. How’s your head?” 

“Mornin’ Trin! How ya doin’?” Peta asked as Tye shushed her. “Errr... I wasn’t sayin’ nothin’!” 

I heard the word ‘fire’ and I swallowed, leaning back against the wall. “Head feels like I hit it with a hammer last night. Almost wish I had…” 

“Oh? Ya want some aspirin? It’s this new medicine we got,” Peta said. 

“I still can, if you want me to,” Tye nodded to me. 

“Don’t tempt me,” I looked at him. 

“You have any of that water I left you upstairs?” Tye asked. 

“Maybe I should try it,” I told Peta and then looked at Tye. “Coffee’s in there, as usual.” 

“It’s real good! Makes things hurt less. Not as nice as opium, but ya won’t get addicted to it,” Peta insisted. 

I nodded and walked into the kitchen, still feeling lost after a restless night’s sleep. I shuddered at the memory of the last man to offer me opium and looked at her, “Yeah, that might be best.” 

Peta dug in her pockets and dropped a few pills on the counter. “Okay, ya ain’t supposed ta chew ’em. You just put ’em in yer mouth and take a big swallow of water, and the medicine gets washed down at the same time.” 

I took the coffee and asprin and walked out to the lobby to stand by Tye, leaning against the staircase. I nodded ‘good morning’ to DF as he came in and I took the pills, swallowing them with the coffee. 

When DF asked how we were doing, Peta said, “Trin’s hungover. Me, I’m feelin’ cheerful. Tye is less grumpy than usual. So far.” 

I sighed, knowing the rumors were going to start now, and looked at Tye with worry as DF said, “Oh no Ms Trin is your head beating like a drum?” 

“And Peta talks quite a bit,” Tye turned to Peta. 

“I like talkin’!” she exclaimed. “Good way to pass time.” 

“Got some bad news yesterday. Not takin’ it all that well,” I sighed. 

“Oh no Ms Trin I am sorry to hear that." 

“Thanks, D…” I said, drinking the coffee, thinking it was stronger than usual. 

“You’re quite welcome Ms Trin if ya need a ear I am here Ma’am.” 

“have some ears in a box. I been experimentin’ on ’em,” Peta exclaimed. 

“I appreciate it. Some good people in this town,” I gave Tye a side glance. 

“An ear? Bah. She knows where my good scotch is now,” 

“You’d think it’d be pretty easy to make a fake ear if yer real one gets shot off,” Peta said. 

“Don’t forget about the good coffee,” I tilted my glass towards him a bit. 

“Coffee. Head pounding. Least you’re feelin’ something. So no feelings of wanting to turn that gun of yours inward, right?” Tye looked at me as DF introduced Sanei to us. 

“Just the hammer will do,” I shook my head, looking at Tye as Peta went on telling people how we were all doing. 

“Alright. Just makin’ sure you’re better with it than without it this mornin’. I’ll get it from the safe,” Tye nodded and went to get my gun as I thanked him. He brought it back to e and pointed the gun towards the street, looking at me. “Here. Remember the open end goes that way.” 

I took the gun from him and the gunbelt and strapped it around my waist, holstering the weapon as I chuckled. “Thanks, Tye.” 

“Yep. Have another cup if you need,” he nodded. 

Conversation continued in the hotel lobby and as they started talking about food, I wondered if I should eat something. D offered to by me breakfast and I thanked him for it. 

“I don’t know if it’s the asprin or the coffee but that stuff’s magic,” I said as I felt the headache numbing already. 

“Aspirin’s real good. It comes from the willow bark, except they take out the wood part and they just leave the stuff that makes you feel better,” Peta exclaimed. “Much more effective than chewing the bark.” 

“Indeed,” I nodded. 

“Huh. They must give me the bark to just shut me up, then,” Tye said and I chuckled, not doubting it. 

“Well some people don’t know better. And of course, if ya been shot, that’s more than even aspirin can do for ya. You need the laudanum. But them injuns, at least, they don’t have laudanum,” Peta said. 

“Mr. Tye, I have a business proposal for you,” D said to him then. 

“DF, we’ll do some work today when there’s one other here. Either Abby or Sirus. Still need ya to put on some proper work clothes for it, you’ll mess your uh... well, you’ll mess that. That you’re wearin’,” Tye told him. 

“Of course.” 

“Let’s hear the proposal, then.” 

“Ya can’t marry him. Tye, you can’t marry this fella,” Peta joked but Tye just grunted. 

“Being from North Carolina, Mr Tye, I myself have one more skill. I failed to mention I had a distillery back home and I know how to make good fashion high quality moonshine. If that could be helpful.” 

“Peta, hell. One, you don’t own me, two, quiet down. I ain’t marryin’ nobody,” Tye said to her. 

“I ain’t sayin’ I own ya! I’m just sayin’ you ain’t allowed to marry nobody but me. Lot used ta make moonshine,” Peta said. “IT was... strong.” 

“Well that ain’t happenin’ either,” Tye said. 

“Well mine is more of a corn liquor,” D said as Victoria worked in the kitchen making breakfast. 

I finished my coffee and Tye and DF talked about how Kate’s was right next door and would be more interested in his moonshine. DF requested that Victoria made us some breakfast and we went to sit in the dining room to eat. 

“Thanks for the offer of breakfast, D,” I said as we sat down. “It was a rough night..” 

“It seems like it, ms. Trin,” he reached up and brushed my hair over my ear. I swallowed hard at the contact and looked down as he asked, “Ms. Trin, might I ask what happened?” 

“Reunited with a friend here in town... Thought it would be a good thing.. but…” I said as Vic brought our food out for us. When she’d gone back to the kitchen I went on, “Chet came... I’ve known him since I became a Pinkerton, he’s always been a good friend. But I could tell... something was wrong. The place where we lived before coming here to Tombstone.. It’s gone. Was a huge fire… Our mutual friend... Who I’d been dating a while ago but disappeared…” she looks down... “He was killed... in the fire,” I shook my head, unable to believe it still. “And this news came the same day I stepped foot in a church for the first time in months…” 

“Well Ms. Trin, time has a way to haunt people,” D said and I nodded, knowing it was true. “Eat something Ms Trin you look hungry.” 

“I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday.” 

“You will need your strength.” 

I poked at the bacon, not even touching the eggs, and looked at him. “And why’s that?” 

“Because, Ms. Trin, the heat will kill you if your not properly taken care of.” 

I heard Peta talking to Tye about me more and I sighed, eating more of the bacon. “Now they’re all gonna be talkin’ that I’m hungover... I came here ’cause I had nowhere else to go…” 

“There is no telling, Ms. Trin.” 

“Tye gave me a drink to help me sleep, that’s all.” 

“Well how did you rest, Trin?” 

“Nightmares…” I shrugged. 

“Well, nightmares are the brains way of venting.” 

“I guess so.” 

“The best way Ms Trin to deal with it is to go on a spiritual journey.” 

I sighed, having heard enough about spiritual journeys in my lifetime. “Last people who told me to do that disowned me when I chose not to live with them,” I said, thinking of the Apache. 

“Well Ms Trin I am part Cherokee and Black Foot Mixed with some Irish we as natives believe the way through the heart is the soul.” 

“Of course you are,” I sighed. I pushed the plate away, not really in the mood for food now. 

D spoke a word in Cherokee and said, “That means you have a strong spirit, Ms. Trin, and I see you do.” 

“Speaking Native to me ain’t gonna make me feel better or stronger. I’ve had too much pain with those people.” 

“The path to healing ones self is mending the heart and Ms Trin I know how you feel I lost. The girl I once loved to a band of outlaws. She was raped she was beaten she was shot and she was hanged.” 

I shook my head and said, “I lost... everything, D. It’s all gone. This town is all I have now.” 

“You also have me. I’m here for you, ma’am.” 

I shook my head and called into the kitchen for more coffee. She brought out the pot and filled a mug for me and she took away my plate which was still mostly full. D said he needed to get up and stretch and I stood, ready to get to the office. D pulled me close and hugged me tightly, patting me on the back. “It will be fine,” he said and I was surprised by the hug but sighed against him, wishing the words were true. He lifted my hand and kissed it before heading out of the dining room. I watched him walk away and shook my head, wondering what had just happened. 

I walked back out to the front and looked at Tye who was standing in the middle of the street with Rose. “Tye, I’m headed back to the office. Thanks for... thanks.” 

“Of course. Anytime,” Tye nodded to me. 

“I’ll be back later,” I said and headed into my office.

I sat on the balcony at my office and watched people go back and forth on the street, then decided to head back to town and sat in front of the hotel. Richie asked me if I had seen the sheriff today because Punk had shot him yesterday. I told him I knew a guy named Poe and he said it was the same guy. I talked with Paige about her wedding and we continued to let the conversation surround us. A rat ran through the hotel and I complained about the loudness in the street today. I got more asprin for my headache. DF got out his gun to shoot at a horse that came by and loitered in front of the hotel but Tye told him to put the gun away and he did so. I brought my cup into the kitchen to wash it and headed upstairs for a nap. 

After a while I got up and knew that I should lose myself in my work, otherwise I’d be stuck in this depression forever. I went back downstairs and looked over at Tye. “I’m going to search for Dominic and Clint.” 

“Yes’m. Of course,” Tye nodded to me and I was relieved he hadn’t stopped me, and I wandered down the street. 

I walked over to the Apache village and a woman stopped me, saying she was looking for someone. 

“So am I. Who’s this Lil person you’re looking for?” I looked at her. 

“An old friend.” 

“Okay… I don’t know these parts all that well. Just been kinda wandering,” I looked at her. 

“Maybe she knows. You should come with me.” 

“Maybe who knows what?” 

“Who you’re looking for.” 

“If she does I hope not, for her sake.” 

“What want pale face?” ask an Apache man. I stopped in my tracks, hoping this was someone who could help me. 

“I help you out! You go now or we fight!” the man shouted. 

“I’m looking for information on someone... Someone you’re probably familiar with all too well,” I called to him. When he drew his weapon, I backed up. “I’m looking for Clint Houston.” 

“You run! Hurry!” 

I walked back out from behind the building and said, “Sir, I mean no harm. I am trying to find a man who has done harm to your people. I was hoping we could work together. But never mind, I’ll just go.” 

“You go or scalp you,” Aleaya shouted. 

I muttered to myself that some things never changed and walked back to town, muttering angrily. I sat on the bench in front of the hotel and sighed as I folded my arms across my chest and listened to the chatter between the outlaws and Tye. I made notes in my notebook while I gathered names and descriptions of the people, and listened to the conversation. When Voo drew his guns, but then then holstered them. 

Pet walked over and leaned against the post during the commotion and asked how I was doing. When she asked if she could help, I told her what happened yesterday at the church and then getting big news afterwards. Pet offered for me to follow her to the office and I went with her to the deck of a small house near Boot Hill. I sat down on the bench, feeling worn out. 

“Oh dear, you look exhausted,” Pet looked at me. 

“In more ways than one, Pet… Yesterday was the first time I’d been in a church in months… I used to play hymns in the church all the time, would go every Sunday…” 

“Mmhmm…” 

“Then one day... the church went from bein’ a place of safety and peace to a place of fear and danger. A gang I’d been bullied by surrounded me while I was talkin’ to the sheriff one night in the church, thinking that was the one place they wouldn’t come get me. The judge came over, didn’t do a damn thing... Started to try and sell me off to ’em. I slept in the church that night and have only been back in the building twice since then. Once in Georgetown... and then yesterday. And that night happened back in August,” I sighed, tracing the scar on my wrist that was still there, though it was faded now. 

“That sounds like a horrific ordeal hon,” she reached over to pat my shoulder. 

“So after all those memories come back... I get to town and see Chet... Who I’ve known since Georgetown. Always been a good friend… Though perhaps, misguided in his motives at times… I hadn’t seen him since I left Colorado and he shows up here... to tell me that the home where we lived there... It’s all gone. Burned down in a huge fire… But that ain’t the worst of it… The man I’d been courtin’ back then… who I hadn’t heard from…” I looked down, telling myself not to cry again. “He was... killed in the fire.” 

“Oh no. No. Oh Trin, I’m so sorry…” 

“I mean I figured he was done with me as I hadn’t seen him in ages... Or that he was off healin’ someone somewheres and would find me eventually but… I never expected... this…” 

“No, we never expect the finality of a relationship or a life for that matter.” 

“See Pet... Tom understood that I needed to... flirt with men in order to get information out of them around town…” 

“Uh huh.” 

“At the end of the day a dance is just a dance. He’s the only man who ever really understood that… The only one who let me do my job but was there at the end of the day when I needed to unwind… And now... It’s all gone,” I sighed. “It’s like God’s tellin’ me I don’t get nothin’ good... Even this job... Sometimes I feel like I’m pullin’ teeth to get anything out of anyone.” 

“Trin, you’re a strong woman,” Pet looked at me. 

“I tried to go talk to the Apache chief ’cause I know Clint’s bugged them too... but they come here as much as they please and we don’t shoot ’em right away. It’s always been that way, Pet. I know they’re the key to this but... It’s never gonna change. Even if I tell ’em I’ve got…” I stopped myself. 

“Trin, what ever you say to me is covered under the blanket of Pastoral Counselling and held as confidential.” 

“I’m part Apache. Lot of good it’s gotten me though. It’s four generations back so it ain’t noticeable.. But I’ve always had a heart for Native people. And it’s always gotten me in trouble.” 

“Oh, I see it in your hair,” she winked. 

“"I don’t wanna go spreadin’ that around town... That got me in trouble before too… But I know that Clint’s terrorized them, that ain’t a secret.” 

“Yeah. I’m sure you felt the closed doors in your face as a result.” 

“As par usual…” I nodded. “I just don’t know what to do anymore, Pet. It feels like God’s just... smiting me now. I fall for a man and he either gets killed or goes back to an old love or he gets shot the next day for impersonatin’ a…” I sighed. 

“Tell it!” she gave me a look. 

“You know the day Poe impersonated a marshal and pulled his knife on Tye?” 

“Yeah, I heard about it. And I was at the trial.” 

“He and I spent the night before that, together…” I sighed. 

“You’re a full grown woman Trin. I am not your judge.” 

“I mean when I spend a night with a man it ain’t like I go all the way... we might sleep together but we don’t actually…” 

“‘sides, ain’t he Apache?” she smiled. 

“I’m waitin’ for marriage, as hard as that may be to believe. And again, another man I fall for who’s part Native. I tell you... seems every guy I fall for has some Native in them. That’s why when I discovered my genealogy I wasn’t that surprised.” 

“Like attracts like, they say!” she grinned some. “Can I ask ya how the case is coming along?” 

“It ain’t coming at all really. Petaline told me that Harm had said Clint was dead, but I won’t believe it ’till I hear it straight from her or see the body. They’re probably tryin’ to throw me off.” 

“Hmm that sounds like Harm’s style” 

“Yeah?” 

“But I saw Clint about a month or so ago. he was walking and talkin. not bad for a corpse.” 

“That must mean she knows I’m investigatin’ it somehow…” 

“She might.” 

“A month or so ago? Where did you see him?” 

“Them Mavericks have eyes and ears all over town. Heck, he stroll right down Allen street and took a seat next to me in from of the Epitaph,” she nods. 

“Really... a month ago?” 

“He connected up with them James Boys when they was terrorizing the town…” 

“Dominic James?”

“That’s the one. they went into Kate’s for a drink after they hooked up.” 

“And this happened a month ago?” I asked, still baffled. 

“It was in the Spring... cooler than it is now. um I’d say around March.” 

“No one’s mentioned this before.” 

“I don’t know how anyone could miss it! They shot up the place.” 

“Who else was there? Someone’s obviously not tellin’ me somethin’,” I shook my head. 

“Ask Sheriff Patty from Black Diamond. Dom shot her.” 

“Sirus told me he’d seen Clint last in Mexico a few months back. Oh?” 

“And Clint was right beside him.” 

“Who from town was there?” 

“Shot her over the doors at Kate’s. Um… Petaline was there. I think they shot Kris also that night and some kids was on the street. maybe Jeffery.” 

I sighed, thinking of all the times I’d talked about Clint around Peta and she’d said nothing. “See Pet I should just come to you whenever I need to know things.” 

“There was someone else, I’m trying to remember who. Ohh… Red Hawk was there too,” she laughed. 

“Oh? What’s so funny ’bout that?” 

“I am the keeper of secrets and details. If I read it or see it, it becomes locked in here,” she tapped the side of her head. “You saying you should just come to me when you need to know stuff,” she laughed again. “Heck, I can even tell ya what they was wearing.” 

“Sorry, running on low sleep..” I nodded. “You can?!” 

“Mmhmm. Clint had on a white duster and Dom had on a cream colored one.” 

“Hmm…” I pulled my notebook out to take notes. 

“Clint in a red shirt and brown pants. Dom in… hmm dark pants, I can’t recall the color of his shirt. Red in his usual. Peta in green and I was wearing my misters frock for lent every day.” 

“I just can’t believe no one has mentioned this before. You’d think that’d be the first thing people would tell me about. Tye didn’t even mention it..” 

“All the details are here,” she tapped her head again and I leaned over to give her a tight hug. “Tye wasn’t back fully by then. He was in and out of town a lot as he was moving from where ever he moved to.” 

“Oh... so he might not even know then…” 

“Perhaps not. But Peta did the healin treatments.” 

“Guess I’ll have to talk to Peta… Thanks for this,” I said as I stood. 

“Well I could use some coffee I’m gonna see if they have fresh brew at the Russ,” Pet said as she stood. 

“Let’s go then,” I nodded. 

“Okay Trin. Glad I could help,” she said and we headed back to the hotel. 

I walked over to Tye and put a hand on his shoulder. “Tye, is Peta here?” I asked softly as he was talking to a group. 

“No, Pinky. Not here. Most likely still napping,” he shook his head.

“We need to talk,” I sighed. 

“Need... need is such a strong word,” Tye sighed.

“It applies,” I nodded. “I’ll be in the lounge upstairs. Trust me," I said seriously and headed upstairs and sat in the lounge while the conversation continued downstairs. 

“Fine, Pinky,” Tye said with another lengthy sigh. 

When Tye came upstairs, I looked at him seriously and said, “Clint was in town. A month ago. With Dom.” 

“Okay. What of it?” 

“They shot up Kates, Peta did the healing…” 

“And? Thanks for tellin’ me? I guess?” he rubbed his nose a bit. 

“And no one’s mentioned this since I got here less than a month ago. I assume you didn’t know about it ’cause you woulda told me... but Peta hasn’t said a word.” 

“I didn’t know of it. Apparently you’ve heard somewhere.” 

“She knows I’m investigating him and that any information I could get would be invaluable…” 

“Wait," Tye stopped and looked at me. “Are you suggesting Peta is withholding information?” he exhaled dramatically. 

“I ain’t suggesting nothin’. Just would love to know why when most of my conversations about Clint have been within earshot of where she’s sat or stood... Why she didn’t help or put in information that she knew. You’d think something as significant as Clint shooting up Kate’s with his brother Dom would be something she’d want to tell me about. I’m not accusing, Tye,” I saw him step closer. “I’m just askin’." 

“First of all - you have to know your sources. Who gives you good information and who doesn’t. Have you met Peta? I mean, really listened to her?" 

“I’m gonna guess the preacher is a damn good source.” 

“Second - Clint pushed her face into a lit oven. Of all the people you expect her to rattle on about, he’s the last one. She acts tough about it, but he pushed her face into a LIT OVEN. Do you get what that would be like?” he shook his head. 

I blinked and sat back, “She never said…” 

“Hey Tye…” Skyla started but she paused. 

“I ain’t talkin’ about whatever preacher you went to! I’m talkin’ right now about Peta. She still tells people that if it weren’t for HER, I would have died trying to save her while she was kidnapped!” 

“Tye , I didn’t know…”  I looked at him. 

“You will never get full information from her, and especially about Clint.” 

I fought back tears, emotions on the surface since yesterday’s news, and Skyla looked between us. “Tye, dear…” 

“Now, if you want something specific from Peta, you need to sit her down and ask her,” Tye said and I couldn’t even look at either of them, feeling defeated. Tye raised his hand to Sky and looked at me. “I was there, the one time she did try and offer you information. You were chatting up Clint Curtis and completely missed she was trying to help. That’s Peta for you. Once she realized you probably wouldn’t listen, she goes on to the next person to prattle on.” 

“The man said he was Clint... I was trying to confirm if it was really him or if…” I swallowed hard. 

“Know your sources. Know how to handle them. You can’t treat everybody the same. A kid you can offer candy to and they’ll tell you anything. The men in this town a pretty smile. Peta is like a zebra in the desert here. She can be real nice, but she’s generally lost and just follows whoever will pay attention,” Tye said and I nodded, feeling the emotion well up inside me. I told myself not to cry in front of him as he went on. “Now. Would you like to start over, from the beginning - and tell me what you know and what it means for your investigation - and then perhaps when Peta returns to town we can ask her about that incident that she’s never even mentioned to me.” 

I bit back tears and talked without looking any of them in the eye. “Pet Karu said that about a month ago... Clint Houston and Dominic were in Kate’s. They shot up the place and apparently Kristoff and maybe some kids were shot... She said Petaline did the healings…” 

Tye crossed his arms across his chest, still breathing heavy, and looked at Sky. “Sky, you know anything about that?” 

“I do not know anything about it. The warrants I have for Dom are from Pet and that was back in March… Pet could have been confused on dates,” Sky said. 

“She did say it might have been March,” I looked at Skyla. 

“Don’t go anywhere,” Tye grumbled and went back downstairs. I sighed and leaned against the wall, beginning to really hate that particular lobby. 

“Then that it was Trin,” Sky said to me, speaking softly. “All of it was back in March. I can give you the information if you require it, but getting heated or upset is not the way to solve it,” she smiled. 

“I got some bad news last night and I came here ’cause I had nowhere else to go.. Tye gave me some scotch and it calmed me down enough to sleep,” I looked at her. 

“What happened?” 

“The place where I lived before here... I found out it’s all burned down. The man I’d been seeing there... He died in the fire. I hadn’t heard from him in over a month. I hadn’t heard from him in years and now this.” 

Tye came back upstairs and set a bottle down in front of me. I looked from him to the bottle and back to Tye. 

Sky sighed slightly and said, "Well you can either choose to work or take a day off, but letting your emotions cloud your judgement is not at all away to go.” 

“I just wanted to know why I hadn’t heard about something seemingly major... I…” I sighed, reaching for the scotch.

“Agreed. You should put your badge away a few days and let this all sink in. Take it easy on that stuff today. It’s not even noon,” Tye told me. “Stick around the hotel so I can keep an eye on you.” 

“Have to learn to deal with it at an appropriate time. Cause Tye’s right about Peta. She’s very, well, single track minded.” 

I took one sip of the scotch and put it back on the table. “I just... I keep picturing the fire, what it must have been like... I need to think about something else before it drives me crazy.” 

“Then put your badge away and let Tye watch over you,” Sky said. “He can even have Peta check on you when she returns. I have to go out of town for a few hours. I can also come check on you when you return.” 

I nodded, knowing they were both right. 

“And don’t go without food today, you didn’t eat much last night or this morning, and that stuff will kick in hard. You remember... or maybe you don’t.” 

“I guess I should eat something light. I had some bacon this morning but…” I shook my head. 

“Okay, I’ll leave you two. Tye, need me, telegram me, please.” 

Gunshots went out and I jumped. Sky swore and ran off in the direction of the shots. Tye looked at me and said, “Distract yourself with cleaning my hotel or something. That sounds like a productive distraction.” 

I chuckled softly and pulled out my notebook. “I’m a couple days behind on these profiles. I’ll keep myself busy somehow I guess.” 

“No Clint, no fire. Focus on other profiles. Got it? Hotel owner’s orders.” 

“Yes sir. And Tye?” 

“Yes, Pinky?” he said as he started to step out. 

“You wanna bring me a muffin or somethin’?” 

“Want is such a strong word,” he chuckled with a sigh and headed downstairs. He got a muffin and came back up with it, telling me to come downstairs when I was hungry. I nibbled on the muffin while I got to work.