May 7, 1899

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked around town and looked around the hotel, wondering where Tye was. I eventually found him on the other side of the kitchen, talking with a native woman and the girl Tiffany that I had met yesterday. 

“Morning, Tye,” I nodded to him. 

“Don’t believe we’ve met, ma’am. Name’s Tye,” he said to Tiffany. “Oh and good morning, Trin,” he greeted me. 

“Was looking for you. Mind if we chat somewhere inside?” 

Tiffany narrowed her eyes at the native, trying to coax the horse to come back to her. Tye looked over and said, “Miss, I think it best if you ask to touch that horse. Apache are real protective of their horses. They’re like family.”

The native rode around the corner to look at the funeral coach and Tye breathed easier seeing that the woman didn’t get riled up about the horse. A woman came over who one of the other girls called Peta and she went up and kissed Tye on the cheek. 

“Good morning, sweetie,” Tye squeezed Peta’s shoulder and then offered me a smile. “You wanted to chat?” 

“Yes, if we could. I don’t want to ruin your morning though. It can wait a bit I guess.”

“Well, there’s quite a collection of folk in town this morning, it appears,” Peta observed. 

“I reckon I can figure what you wanted to chat about. When that one’s around you’ll find my focus is fully on her. To keep an eye out,” Tye nodded to me. 

I nodded in understanding, though I wanted to talk to him about more than just the native. Seeing him wearing the Marshal’s badge I figured I should talk to him about the possibility of working with the law in town. 

The ladies talked about the newspaper coming out and Peta commented that the typewriter had gotten stolen. Tiffany continued to get close to the horse and Tye commented that she isn’t the best listener. I chuckled, remembering my conversation with her earlier and held Tye’s gaze showing that I still wanted to talk to him. 

“You go!” the native woman eventually yelled. 

“What? I’m just petting your horse. He looks hungry, perhaps he wants a sugar cube.” 

Tye just shook his head watching the two interact. “I will protect the people of this town with my life, but sometimes I wonder if I shouldn’t be selective of the people I consider ‘of this town.’ You provoke the native, I may as well just let her take you. Ain’t smart.”

I chuckled hearing Tye and smiled, liking him all the more. 

“Well... she’ll learn, I reckon,” Peta observed. 

“Or they’ll have a nice pretty blonde scalp soon,” he added. When the native woman yelled at Tiffany again Tye said, “Look here, ‘ma’am’. That ain’t your horse, and the Apache are REAL protective of them. You value your life, don’t touch her horse.”

“What’s the matter, native? I’m just tryin’ to be friendly!” 

“Also, that Injun’s kinda a jerk,” Peta commented. “Also, she’s armed. Usually.” 

I backed up slightly, watching from a safer distance as I saw Tiffany put her hand on her gun defensively. “Oh trust me, I can take care of myself!” Tiffany bragged. 

“You keep thinkin’ that,” Tye watched Tiffany and just shook his head. 

“Well, you want to treat the patient or should I, Freja?” Peta asked the other woman standing with us. 

“Peta, I’m going to have to go!” Freja exclaimed. 

“Oh. Well I can heal ‘em up. No problem,” Peta said. 

Tye picked up his mug and had a sip, glancing at Peta. “Sounds like she’ll be all yours. I’m damn agitated already. This girl here is tryin’ to get herself shot and I’m wonderin’ if I should bother to help, honestly.” 

“Is there more coffee inside?” Peta asked Tye. 

“Sure is, on the stove. Go right ahead,” he nodded. 

“You want one, ma’am? There’s cups over the sink,” she asked me. 

“I’d love one, thanks,” I smiled to her. 

“Do you take cream or sugar?”

“Just sugar thanks,” I smiled and waited in the lobby. 

Peta came out with the coffee eventually and I asked how much the drink cost, but Peta assured that it was free. I thanked her and took a sip, following her back outside. The next edition of the newspaper came out and the girl announced it, making me remember my old days working for the newspaper in Colorado. 

At length Tye nodded to me, “Alright - you wanted to chat. I’ve got a few minutes.”

“That’d be great. Somewhere inside?”

“Sure. Head on to the dining room, I’ll get my coffee.”

“Thanks Tye,” I smiled and headed inside to the dining room. He joined me and I said, “Thanks for this. I know you’re a busy man.”

“Not a worry. I just appreciate your patience. You’d be surprised as the people that get huffy because I can’t get to them right away.”

“In my business I’ve gained a great deal of information just by watching people interact.”

“I see. Well, anythin’ in particular you’d like to speak about?” he asked with an arched brow, looking at my badge. 

“I heard yesterday you were a retired lawman...”

“I am. Yes,” he nodded with a firm look on his face. 

“I saw you dragging the native through town yesterday and heard that you were bringing in a prisoner. You still help with them then?”

“Badge were just a piece of metal. Don’t need it to do the right thing,” he tapped his chest where his badge used to go. 

“True enough. I guess I just wanted to know if they needed help from a detective of sorts. I’ve been all sorts of levels of law but the Pinkerton agency has always been the one where I thrived.”

“You’re new to these parts, right?” he asked and I nodded. “So, you know any of the old Pinks from this area?” 

“No Sir, but from my talk with that Tiffany girl I’m guessing they ain’t well liked.”

“That blonde?” Tye looked towards the street. “I wouldn’t bother with anythin’ she says. She didn’t seem all that particular about anybody. But, yes, you have an uphill battle helpin’ law in this town wearin’ that badge. Shady fellas, them pinks.” 

“That’s the reputation I hope to change,” I sighed. “You’ll notice I don’t even wear a gun...”

“I was a marine for 23 years before I came out here. Most of that time spent as an investigator. They just never smelled right.” He turned to me and said, “Well, that ain’t somethin’ I’d suggest. I’m a hotel owner and handyman now for the city, but I always keep my guns close.” 

“I’ve learned that the information I gain is more valuable than the battles I fight. My first boss as a Pink gave me that advice and it’s stuck with me,” I said, thinking of Sam. 

“I follow you. I’m sure there’s some things the Sheriff could use help with. In this town, though, people tend to resort to violence more often than not, and ain’t much peacekeepin’ against a gun if you ain’t armed yourself. You’d do well to ask about any investigations, I suppose.” 

“I know and I’ve had enough experiences where I’ve been gunned down with the gun to know it don’t always make a difference. Mind you searching for the truth ain’t always got me places either...”

“I have never called Apache thief!” we heard someone shout from down the street. 

“You take my rock, you thief!” the Apache woman from on the horse earlier called back. 

“You gave me the rock! I did not steal it!” the other called back. 

“Now show me book or I slit throat!” the Apache called back and I just shook my head at the interaction. 

“But, I ain’t law anymore. You have anythin’ specific you wanted from me other than information?” 

Tye suddenly ran out the second after he finished the question and then I heard him shout, “Oi! Blondie! Put that gun down before you hurt yourself!” 

I sat down at a table and waited for Tye to come back. He came back a few minutes later wiping his hands with a rag. “Pardon,” he said. 

“Everything okay?” I looked up to him. 

“Just that blonde lady tryin’ to be a hero.” 

“Coulda told ya that was gonna happen,” I chuckled. 

“Where were we? Somethin’ about you hopin’ to work with law?” 

“Hope you don’t mind I was just hangin’ out in here, thinkin’ about things.”

“Naw, that’s quite alright. That’s what the dining room is for.” 

“Get away from Apache women before i put tomhawk in head!” the Apache voice shouted and I rolled my eyes. 

“That came from out back,” Tye sighed and walked out to the street, talking to the blonde. “What’s your name?” I could only hear his side of the conversation and listened intently. “Yeh, I see her. Look, you ain’t doin’ anybody any favors followin’ her around or pointin’ guns. She’s the chief’s wife. Now, that don’t mean we let her do what she wants,” he was saying and I raised an eyebrow at the mention of the woman’s identity, “But it does mean that if we don’t handle the situation properly, it’ll rain hell on the town. All I’m sayin’, your best bet is to avoid her... Oh, we do. We got them mostly up in their village. They wander down here from time to time lookin’ for things ... ah... Well, carry on. When she takes your scalp, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” 

I walked to the doorway to get a closer look at things and wondered why I wasn’t surprised to see Tye talking to Tiffany. She turned to me as the native woman galloped back to the village. “But if you like that hair of yours, and think it best not to bring apache raids on the town, leave her be. Let law handle it. That’s why I ain’t botherin’ her either. There was a time when they were comin’ to set fires and drag people off every day. Right now all they doin’ is stealin’ a few things. That’s an improvement, you ask me.” 

“We should mount a posse and wipe them from the face of the map,” Tiffany was saying about the Apache. 

I nodded, agreeing with Tye. Seeing Pet walk over, I waved to her with a smile. “Good morning, Pet! I had the best night’s sleep last night.”

“Oh I’m so glad the accommodations were to your liking. Told ya it’s peaceful out there.” 

“Absolutely. The bed was so comfortable.”

“Lot have you met Tiffany yet? she says she hunts Apache,” Pet called to the man up on the balcony of the hotel. 

“Oh, speaking of Apache hunting. Good morning, Lot,” Tye followed Pet’s gaze up to the balcony. 

“Yeah I heard her yap and immediately took a likin to her scalp maself,” Lot mumbled then. 

“You gonna come down and join us or am I gonna have to climb up to introduce myself?” I called up to the man. He just glanced down briefly at me and said nothing. I shrugged and said, “Guess I’ll mosey on then.”

I wandered into the saloon then and found a piano to sit down at. I played for a while as the the conversation continued outside and then wandered out to the crowd. 

“Hey Peta,” I smiled to her and eyed the native woman who was standing there cautiously. I pet the dog that came over and there was a little girl who came to play with the dog as well. Eventually I decided to wander around and get to know the area. 

I found a building with a stage inside and decided to check it out. Coming out was a man and I 

stopped to greet him. “Hi there. Name’s Trin.” 

“Well howdy ma’am. I’m the one known as Sirus. Sirus Terrmain. Jack of all trades, at yer service.” 

“New in town, lookin’ for all the hang out spots in the area. Looks like I found another one. Nice to meet ya, Sirus.” 

I blushed as Sirus obviously looked up and down my figure and said, “The pleasure is all mine.” 

“Were you just heading out?”

“Well I gotta be off to work but if ya need anything... anything at all... you just give me a yell.” 

“Where do you work?” I asked, stepping a bit closer. 

“Kinda do the fixin’ up of things that need fixin’.” 

“Oh I see,” I smiled. “Care for a bit of company?” 

“Well um... You lookin’ for a job or somethin’?” 

“Lookin’ for somethin’ more valuable than a job. Lookin’ for information.”

“Annie’s here is always hiring dancers and you sure are pretty enough,” he smiled at me. 

“Information eh? Okay.” 

I blushed but knew that my saloon and dancing days were long since behind me. We walked out to the street and I said, “I know you gotta get to work but I’ve just been lookin’ for people to give me the background on some things since I just got to town.”

“What kind of information are ya lookin’ for? I can help with that, I think.” 

“Been hearin a lot of bad things about my team in the area... The Pinkertons.. Wonderin’ if you could direct me to any of ‘em or tell me anything about that.”

“Ohh, humm... Well the only one I knew was... Um...” he tried to remember the name. “Well I remember this one fella. His name slips my mind at the moment, but I know he quit sometime after Sheriff Sarrah had passed.” 

“Oh?” 

“Rob... Yeah, Robert I think his name was. Nice fella if I remember correct. Haven’t seen him around in a spell. He was the only one I knew of.” 

“You know why he quit?” 

“The fella gambled a bit. Well I couldn’t say for sure... but I have heard he had issues with just about every job he held in the past. Quick trigger finger maybe. Didn’t go by the book. Rumors. Can’t really say I know anything as fact.” 

“That’s helpful to know though. I appreciate you givin’ me the time, darlin’.”

“Ohh never a problem, ma’am. And if you be needin’ any handy man type jobs... please feel free to look me up.” 

“Well I might,” I had a thought and blushed, looking down with a small chuckle. “Thanks Sirus. You better get to work before they fire ya for bein’ late.”

“Ohh I doubt they fire me, but thanks. See ya around, Miss.” 

I smiled as I watched him walk away and looked around for a place to sit and write. I went over to join the group in front of the hotel and we talked for a while about the hotel where I was staying and some things going on in town. 

“Tell me more about that ghost that was haunting the hotel in Bisbee...” I said to Tye and Sirus. 

“Them ghosts ain’t nothin’ but an old buildin’ creakin’ from disrepair,” Tye shrugged and I nodded in agreement to him, having had the same thought but wanting to hear someone else say it. 

“Well you folks believe what ya want. I won’t stay there ever again,” Sirus put in. 

“If only I had another option,” I looked between Tye and Sirus. 

“Oh pfft Sirus, that’s cause you go scared,” Skyla laughed and sat beside him. 

“Pfft, me, I ain’t scared of nuttin... I was just telli miss trin the place has a woman ghost that would come into my room every night and touch me.” 

Tye continued to work on the new menu as I listened to him and Skyla and Sirus banter back and forth. It felt good to be apart of such a warm community again and I only hoped that some day soon I would be able to set up an office where I could do some productive investigating. 

I walked into the kitchen to get some more coffee and found Sirus inside. “You got more coffee in there, darlin’?” I asked him, leaning against the doorframe. 

“Umm yeah seems to be half a pot left.” 

“I’ll take some with just sugar then,” I smiled. 

He  handed me the coffee and I thanked him for it as we went back outside to join the others. As I listened to the conversation around me I began to learn peoples’ names and took in all the information as I could. 

Tye, Sirus and Skyla wandered off to look at something and I decided to follow from a distance. I needed to talk to the sheriff about working with the law anyway. By the time I found them, the sheriff was alone and Sirus was wandering off when I walked over to her. 

“I was wondering if we could talk a bit when you’re not busy,” I said to her. 

“Go ahead and shoot,” she smiled. “I’m a woman, I can multit-ask.” 

“I was wondering if you wanted some help at the sheriff’s office. I’ll be honest I ain’t good with the gun but I can get you intel and tell you when things are happening and that sort of thing,” I started.  “Being a Pinkerton Agent... that title may not get me very far around here. But an undercover detective or consultant type thing... Could be another pair of eyes for you. See things that you might not see when you’re focused on the shooting side of things.”

“I’ll tell ya what I can do,” she smiled to me. “When you fully get settled here I would love to take you on as a deputy. But then you not being good with guns, I can take you under my wing and teach ya and then you can have my back up if that suits you more. But you also have the ability to stand your ground. So if you hang around me while you’re getting settled I can teach ya the ropes,” she nodded to me. 

I shook my head, realizing that she wasn’t really understanding what I was getting at. “See... I was thinking more like an investigator. Doing the interviews, the paper work, the grunt work stuff.”

Tye rode over then and started tying up his big horses to the wagon nearby. 

“Happy?” Skyla looked over at him. 

“Am now, yeah.” 

“Well good,” she laughed. “Get it home, Tye.” 

“Thanks, Sheriff. Oh - I personally witnessed Aleaya take off with the undertaker’s wagon.” 

“Alright then.” 

I looked at him and then remembered the wagon going by, not really having thought anything of it at the time. “That’s right, I saw that too.”

“I don’t get involved unless someone’s life’s in danger - unless you specifically ask me. Anyhow, gettin’ this thing home.” 

“Do you have anybody running the Pinkerton office right now?” I asked the sheriff as Tye rode off. 

“Well I think we can do that. If you want to start and pass me on information we can work it out from there. And I’ll work hard to make sure you get a Pinkerton badge, but it will be a tough job to follow.” 

“Already got the badge so have been kinda doin that... but yeah, I’ll pass on any information to you and let you know what I hear,” I pointed to my badge. “Just hopin to do it in more of a formal capacity, ya know?” 

“And right now we don’t that I know of so it would be great to have one!” Skyla nodded. “Have to get settled in and get your citizen papers before I can do much, but I will work with you until then with no problem. How’s that for a start?” 

“Great, we’ll work towards that then. My goal is to provide lawmen with the truth, so they can get the justice.”

“Good deal! We definitely need it, especially with the Apache running a muck here in town lately!” 

“I’ve noticed that. And I’ve had a lot of experience dealing with natives so I know what not to do, that’s for sure.”

“Well some of them are different,” she laughed. “My jailor for example is an Apache but a renegade, so you need to learn them. I speak Apache well as I was taught how to by an Indian long ago named Jefke. So I can help teach you if you like. It will help you understand what’s going on around these parts.” 

“Well to be honest... there’s apache in my background... about four generations back. It’s not something I’m proud of though as that people haven’t really treated me fairly. I tried to learn a bit of the language but generally have stayed away from them for that reason.” I shifted nervously, hoping that will be taken the right way. 

“Don’t let people judge you,” she smiled to me. “Be yourself always, as it helps you get further than you realize.” 

“You’re right. I just wanted you to know because I don’t want to hide anything from you. You have questions, I’ll tell you. I’m an open book, Sheriff.”

“I think we can work well together. You’d be surprised at the things that happen in this town and what people do behind my back. Well, take Sirus for example.” I looked at her, curious at the mention of Sirus’ name. “He just gave up his guns to me yesterday. Was an outlaw until yesterday and that is why Tye said he has to keep his promise, as Sirus made me a promise.” 

“Sirus was an outlaw?” I raised an eyebrow. 

“This is the dictionary for Apache,” she handed me a book, ignoring my question. “Take good care of it and when done, please return it.” She smiled again and said, “Sirus apparently has eyes for this woman that he wants to unmess his life for,” she shrugged. 

“Wow... Thank you for this. I’ve been trying to get my hands on something like this for months!” I took the book from her, grateful. 

“There aren’t a lot about so it’s very very precious to me,” Sky smiled. “Take very very good care of it.” 

“I most certainly will.” I sighed a bit that Sirus already had eyes for another woman but simply nodded to the sheriff. 

“Why don’t you ask him who?” Skyla winked. “He’s a tough man but he won’t lie.” 

I looked at her, surprised she read through my expression and blushed. She laughed and said, “Been in law over five years. You learn to read people.” 

“Yeah I guess that’s true. I’ve only been in law over the past year off and on... everything from a deputy to an investigator to a detective to an agent...”

“Takes time and reading people is hard work. Some have poker faces and ya just have to be able to watch their body.” 

“It’s true. I just hope Sirus didn’t think I was bein’ too...” I looked down, slightly embarassed now. 

“Well to be honest I can tell ya who... but umm I don’t think it’s my place,” Skyla laughed. 

“Well I guess I should get studyin’ on this book. Thank you so much for the opportunity, Sheriff. I look forward to working with you,” I reached out for her hand. 

Sky shook my hand and said, “No worries, Trin. It’s all I can do. Sides the marshal told me about ya yesterday before I met ya and well sometimes he can be a bit harsh,” she winked. 

“A bit harsh? What’d he say?” I chuckled. 

“He’s just saying ‘a citizen, a citizen,’” she said in a manly voice and laughed. “He can be stricter sometimes but his intentions are good, and I know if they seeing ya pulling your weight they’ll give ya some room. Hard to make it in a man’s world sometimes and ya fight to get where ya want.” 

“Well hopefully I’ll be able to show them I’m worth somethin’ around here. Believe me, I know how to make my way in a man’s world. They’ll see we’re just as good as them if not better in some ways. Like you said earlier... women can multitask,” I winked. 

She laughed and winked back. “Alright, let’s head back to Allen Street. Don’t want folks thinking I’m slacking.” 

“I’m gonna get to work on this book. I’ll see ya around town later today I’m sure.”

“Ok Trin. Take care and be safe. Need me just holler.” 

“Will do, Sheriff.” 

I shook her hand before walking back to the hotel where I found a couch on the balcony and began to read the dictionary. 

***

This afternoon I walked out of the saloon and headed towards town. “How are things, sheriff?” I asked her with a smile. 

“They go slowly today, which I reckon I need,” she shrugged. 

“After yesterday which I hear was a busy one. Gives ya a chance to breathe.” 

“All the crazies were out yesterday and for a Monday, that was bad,” she laughed. 

“True enough. Were you off somewhere? I can walk with ya.” 

“Just back over here to the front of the hotel. Come meet some folks.” 

“Sure,” I followed her. 

“Jimmi, Star, have ya’ll met Trin?” she asked the couple standing in front of the hotel. 

“I don’t believe we have, no,” the man answered.

“Hello miss Trin,” the woman smiled. 

“Hi there,” I smiled to them both. 

“Well in that case, Trin this is Judge Jimmi and his wife Star who is healer,” Skyla introduced. 

“Judge Jimmi, at your service. This is my wife Starling,” he smiled to me. 

“The judge, eh? Good to meet you both.”

“Well Jimmi, Trin here wants to learn to do Pinkerton work,” Skyla told him. “So ya best get to know her.” I chuckled as I’d been a Pinkerton for a couple months already but didn’t correct Sky. 

“Ahh wish you good luck with the Pinkertons, Miss Trin,” Jimmi smiled. 

“Thanks, Judge. Seems like a great area... Lots of friendly folks.” 

“Maybe you can look at all the petty thefts we been suffering in town lately,” she looked over at Skyla. 

“Well, she has been a Pinkerton before,” Sky burst out laughing, “Well she has been Pinkerton before, but is willing to learn and help out in Tombstone.” 

“Have been hearing about that already indeed,” I nodded to Jimmi in reference to the thefts. 

“My hands are tied,” Sky sighed at the judge. “It’s gone to a federal case with the marshals.” 

“Federal case now, eh?” I looked to her. 

“Sadly yes, and I can’t touch it. In my own damn town!” 

“Because it involves the apache from out of the area?” I asked her. 

“Well if a report can be written then as it is in the realm of the marshals, they can investigate deeper with the assistance of this Pinkerton.” 

“Indeed. We help the marshals, local law... Whoever,” I smiled. “We aren’t held back by jurisdiction. We just can’t do the actual arrestin’. As far as I remember it anyway.”

“Yes Miss Trin,” Sky nodded, “That is why I can’t even follow ‘em without a posse or marshal or ranger.” 

I nodded, hoping I just validated myself for the position here, knowing those rules. I thought about how I’d been caught with them enough times in the past, not the least of which was the time in Wyoming where she’d been shot down by Icca, and shudders slightly. 

“Well in actual fact ladies,” Jimmi started, “Who really wants to fill the courts with all these Apache camp thieves? Just find them and... well, say mother nature took care of the job?” 

“Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind, Judge,” I chuckled and the others laughed as well. 

“Marshals can be instructed to use rangers and local law if they need,” Jimmi continued. 

“We Pinkertons are just the brains of the operation. Ya’ll are the brauns and the brains,” I winked. 

Skyla laughed at that and Jimmi said, “Well the court looks after the needs of the government and we have the marshals to do our bidding. They are the right arm of justice.” He hesitated and then asked, “So Miss Trin, would you like to have that as your first case?” 

“My first case? Already?” I looked to Skyla, knowing she wanted me to be settled in a bit first. I thought of the irony of my dealings with the Apache and how this would now be my first case. 

“I can let you get settled in first and then give you as much background as I know. The sheriff has more too. It isn’t going to be easy and I can assure you of that,” Jimmi warned. 

“I’d love to be of any assistance I can, Sir. I have a pretty decent knowledge about the Apache already so hopefully some of my experience will prove helpful here.”

“Voodoo is in the bank!” a man shouted and I looked at Jimmi nervously. Skyla went out to investigate with Jimmi as I stayed with Star in the kitchen. 

A girl named Ella came in and I helped distract her from the drama outside while talking about her teddy bear named Peter. Jimmi walked back in and I asked him, “Does it matter if I’ve only been here a couple days? We could discuss some facts now if you want.”

“Miss Trin, you will best start at the clinic up by the clock tower. That’s where the most valuable good were stolen. The latest theft was at the undertakers. That will have the freshest clues for you.” 

“I watched as the woman took the funeral wagon away, didn’t think anything of it at the time cause I’m still getting used to what’s normal around here. Then Tye and Skyla were talkin’ about it later so I realized it wasn’t a good thing. I could go chat with the undertaker though.”

“That will be Miss Angi,” Jimmi told me. “Wonderful woman.” 

“Thanks for that name, that will help.” I smiled, hoping that this undertaker was less creepy than the last one I knew. 

“If the driver of the herse was not Miss Angi then it was stolen for sure.” 

“It was a native woman that I’d seen yesterday.” 

“Miss Angi is no native.” 

“Well I think there’s your proof, Sir.” 

“If you can look into that and also try to find out what happened to the medical supplies, they may be connected. That’s a good start. Pass a report to me and I will get the marshals to help you investigate further. And if they need the Rangers to get you into the camp, then so be it.” 

“Alright. I’ll go to the undertaker and clinic then. Thanks for this, judge. I hope we can get to the bottom of this.” I nodded to him, thinking that perhaps my Apache heritage might get me into the camp better if it came down to that. 

“I better find my wife,” he looked about. “I seem to have lost her already. Excuse me, Miss Trin.” 

“See you soon, Judge,” I nodded to him and then said goodbye to Ella before heading out to the streets again. 

In front of the clinic I found Ida and said, “Ah Ida, just the person I’m looking for.” 

“Hi Ms. Trin.” 

“Have a question for ya if you’ve got a minute?”

“Of course.” 

“Can you tell me about the thefts from the clinic recently?”

“I don’t know much about it, just what I heard.” 

“What did you hear?” 

“The chief’s wife should have steal medic and things like that,” she said and I remembered that English was not her primary language. 

“Do you know if the clinic was empty when it happened?”

“I believe so, else she would be stopped.” 

“Do you know anything else?”

“I heard other stuff was stolen from town too.” 

“Such as?” 

“Don’t know that for sure.” 

“Howdy all. Something wrong?” A man walked over that I hadn’t met yet. 

“Hi there,” I greeted him. “Been a few thefts in the area. Tryin ‘ to get some information.” 

“Hi Josh,” Ida greeted him. 

“Oh Voo is back,” Josh laughed. 

I looked to him and asked, “Is Voo an Apache?” 

As if on cue, I heard two Apache natives talking in the street and I ducked into the hotel, not wanting them to see my badge just yet. Jimmi came in and shut the hotel doors tightly as Josh came in to protect us if need be. It wasn’t long before Josh declared that everything was okay and Jimmi went to put the kettle on for some tea. 

“If they wanted to create a scene they woulda done so when there were people around.”

Star was clearly shaken and I comforted her, insisting that she had a good man watching over her. The doors opened again and Tye walked into the lobby and I greeted him. 

“Everything okay out there?”

“Sure is. Just one of the local vagrants tryin’ to cause a scene. It was taken care of.”

“Fantastic. Join us for some tea?”

“Oh, that’s quite alright. I just had lunch and am ready to get some work done. Feel free to enjoy though.” 

“So Sir...” I looked to Jimmi as he brought over the tea and sat down with me and Star. “Anji is the undertaker... Who other than Ida works over at the clinic?”

“My wife here does when she can, also Doctors Jen and Freja.” 

“Starling do you know anything ‘bout the thefts there?” 

“Who Voodo?” Star asked and I looked to her. 

“I don’t know Voodoo.”

“Voodoo isn’t a doctor,” Jimmi corrected. 

“He was the one in the bank.” 

“Oh?” I looked at him. “Native? Tye said somethin about a local vigilante...”

“No, he is not Native,” Star shook her head. 

“No,” Jimmi agreed. “Mr. Voodoo is an outlaw but I don’t think he’s connected with these thefts. He is only interested in the bank and just being a problem in town.” 

“Okay. Just gettin’ all my ducks in a row as it were.”

“I don’t know anything of a local vigilante and any such group is not welcome by justice or Law keepers.” 

“Was just a passing term. The word Tye used was vagrant.”

“He could be describing Mr. Voo with that, yes.” 

“How bout this Lot guy? What’s his story?” I asked as I sipped my tea. 

“Mr Lot, he owns the Crystal Saloon. Very loud character and liked by the outlaws. Fast with guns and deadly too,” Jimmi answered with a sigh. “Can be cruel, can be charming... You never know whet you’re going to get.” 

I nodded, thinking that I could handle the charming but not so much the cruel. “Switching gears a bit...” I set the cup down. “Who’s the chief of the Apache in this area?”

“Sky! You around!” I heard someone shouting for the sheriff. 

“Yea Kris, what ya need?” Sky shouted back. 

“Might wanna go down to your ranch. I heard some Apache talking about Josh and your ranch!” 

I perked at the sound of Kris’s shouting and looked to Jimmi. “I should head out there. Where’s Josh right now?” 

“I guess that’s tea time over,” Jimmi sighed. 

“Do you know where Josh is?” I asked again. 

“He was here a minute ago. He went out the front I think.” 

I went out to the street and looked around to find Josh. I sighed with relief when I saw him sitting in front of the hotel. “You may not be safe out here, Sir,” I warned him. 

“Well sorry lady,” Josh said eventually. “I enjoy the air and I have to go back to work.” 

I sighed as Jimmi came over then. “Miss Trin?” 

“Yes Judge?” I asked him. 

“I think there is a situation by the trading post past Annie’s that needs your diplomacy.” 

I looked from Jimmi to Josh, still concerned about Josh’s safety. “Diplomacy?” I asked him. 

“The natives are down there with a  bounty hunter,” Jimmi explained. “He has his hands up.” 

“Oh are they?” I asked. 

“I’ll be right back,” Tye sighed then and stood, heading down the street. 

“And you want to send in an unarmed negotiator?”

“Well I can’t hear what they are doing but I see his hands sticking up.” 

I looked to Jimmi, still unsure, but then followed him out to the trading post. I snuck up beside Tye who was hiding along the side of the building. He motioned for me to keep quiet and I nodded, making a sign for him to cover her if needed. His eyes widened and he shook his head no, and I nodded, staying put. 

“Won’t get involved if his life isn’t in danger,” Tye whispered to me and motioned for me to stay put. 

“Warrior of tribe has given you the message,” the woman native told the man with his hands up. “Apache women not go against the words spoken of the warrior. It stands.” 

The bounty hunter looked at the woman with pleading eyes as the other native man kept his arms crossed as if waiting for something. The woman seemed unfazed by the hunter’s look, however. 

Tye meanwhile fished around in his pockets, then found some jerky and took it out. He started eating it and then walked out from cover completely innocently, focused on his jerky. I watched him go and gave him a blank stare, as he’d just warned me to stay put. “Oh hello there,” he said casually to the group. “You folks here for the jerky? I hear Ya’ii makes the best in town.” 

I shook my head listening to Tye and leaned back against the wall with a soft sigh. 

“Ah, a willing man. You’d like some jerky then,” Tye stepped over to the bounty hunter and slipped the jerky into his hand. “There ya go mister. Try it.” 

“Uh...” the man took the jerky, almost out of instinct as he dropped his hands. He then offered some jerky to the other two Apache and Tye looked past them. 

“Oh, Ya’ii isn’t here? Dang. I was hoping to restock on this jerky.” He nodded to the two natives and asked, “Have you two had any? Its delicious. Not sure what she puts in it.”

The Native man started to lead the woman away and then turned around and said over his shoulder, 

“Follow us, you die.” 

“I guess they haven’t,” Tye smiled as he chewed more frequently.

Jimmi leaned against the wall of the trading post with me, checking his guns, and I sighed a bit with relief seeing the natives walk away. Tye meanwhile patted the man’s shoulder and said,  “You want some, come on into town, I’ve got more.”

“I’d be much obliged sir,” the man answered and looked at the man, as if unsure. 

“Good. You wanna tell me what all that was about?” Tye asked in a more official tone. 

“You okay sir?” Ida asked as she wandered over then. 

Tye turned and whistled for me and Jimmi and said, “Clear.” We walked out from behind the building and Jimmi asked if he was alright as well. 

“He’s fine. Bit shaken up. Good thing he’s wearin’ brown pants, if you catch my drift.” 

“I’m fine, yes... thanks for asking,” the man said, seemingly surprised at the concern from the others. 

“You had your hands up. Thought you were in some kind of trouble,” Jimmi observed. 

“It was just a misunderstanding, I believe,” the man looked to Tye with hesitation for a moment. 

“I see. Well, head on over to the hotel and have a drink, on me. Wash up if you need to, we’ve got runnin’ hot water. You’re alright, that’s what matters.” 

I looked to the man then and asked, “What was the message the native woman was talking about?”

“Sounds like a plan,” the man said to Tye and I held his gaze, waiting for an answer. “Message?” he asked me. 

“She said she would hold true to her message,” I nodded to him. 

“You two have fun,” Tye wandered off with Jimmi and I figured they didn’t really care about the message after all. 

The man looked at me and I smiled, holding out my hand. “Trin Paige, Pinkerton Agent.”

“Ahh.. yeah. I can see that,” he recognized the badge on my chest. 

“And you are?” I smiled back. 

He paused for a bit and then said, “Poe. Just Poe.” He extended his hand and we shook hands. 

“Good to meet you, Poe,” I smiled. “So you want to tell me about that message? I’m lookin’ into the thefts around here by the Apache.”

“Certainly a pleasure, Miss Trin,” he beamed a smile. He looked behind me and squinted at the Apache mountains in the distance. “I believe it was just a misunderstanding about the trading post,” he said with a straight face. 

“Come on, Poe. They had your hands up. You can talk to me,” I put my hand on his arm after stepping closer. 

“I am telling you what I know, Miss,” he insisted, looking from my hand up to my eyes. 

“You sure?” 

“I’m sure,” he said firmly. 

I sighed and stepped back a bit then. “Look... I ain’t like the other Pinks you’ve met. You’ll notice I don’t even wear a gun. I didn’t come trapsing out here into danger like Tye did. I seek information only, not violence.”

“Tye, is it? Is he your beau?” he asked, shifting a bit more. 

I shook my head, knowing he was trying to change the subject. “I only came to town just yesterday. Barely know the man but I assure you... I know that whatever that message they gave you was important. And you’d be doing the town a lot of disservice for keeping it to yourself if we could use it against the Apache in court.”

“Trying the natives in court now? What exactly do you think they’ve been doing in town?” he chuckled out of nowhere. “You just came into town. What would you know?”

I raised an eyebrow at his candor and folded my arms across my chest. “I know a lot more than you’d give me credit for. You can learn a lot in two days if you pay attention.”

“Is that so?” he asked, making it obvious that he was doubting my detective skills. 

“I’ve learned most of the names of the regulars in town, know of a couple outlaws, know that the funeral hearse and the medical supplies have been stolen...”

“Bravo. Ain’t ye’ just a dead eye, huh?” he slowly clapped as if mocking me with a playful tone. 

“So you want to tell me about that stick up back there or am I gonna have to get it out of you somehow?” I glared at him, knowing he thought he’d bested me but I still hadn’t forgotten about my original inquiries. 

He kept a slightly obnoxious grin at the corner of his mouth and watched me. “A stick? What stick?” 

“Your hands were in the air, darlin’,” I reminded him. 

“Oh that stick?” he raised his hands slowly in front of me, emulating the previous standoff. I shifted impatiently, glaring at him and he wiggled his hands some. “See? I can raise my hands in front of you too. Is this a stick up?” 

“You don’t wanna talk to me, that’s fine, but at least respect me,” I glared at him more. 

He eyed me from head to boot, stopping midway at my chest to focus on my badge. “Oh I respect you, Miss Pinkerton. Do you respect your quarry?” 

I looked around, annoyed. “You can put your hands down now, Sir,” I said, wondering if he was really looking at my badge or what was underneath it. 

“Am I under arrest, miss?” he smiled, keeping his line of sight straight at me. 

“Do I have a gun?” I raised my own arms out. 

“I don’t think you’d have plunged head first to the badlands if you didn’t have any means to protect yourself, if that’s what you’re asking,” he said doubtfully. 

“You wanna search me?” I winked at him, knowing I had no weapons on me. 

He laughed and kept his arms raised. “Hey, you first. Just o show you how much I respect ya.” He pointed down, scrunching his nose as if urging me to do so. 

I professionally patted him down from head to toe, holding my hands on his hips before moving down to his feet, finding nothing on him. I stood and smirked, “Your turn.” 

He almost stepped away from me, as if not expecting it, and was obviously caught off guard. “Wha-” he paused, as if trying to keep calm and not wanting me to get the best of him. “Well, well... find anythi’ ya like, Sheriff?” he asked in a dubious tone, almost relieved I didn’t find anything on him. 

I chuckled and looked directly into his eyes, looking at him with a smile and waited for him to search me too. 

He arched a brow at me, as if expecting a witty comeback. I could see him wondering my sincerity. When I didn’t move, he scooted down, coming closer to me as he slowly lowered his arms by my shoulder. “Fine, your turn.” I smiled and looked directly, not wavering. 

He gently hooked his hands on my shoulders, sliding them down towards my arms and hands in a sweeping, but very slow motion. “Don’t enjoy ya’self too much,” he whispered as he came close to me, continuing his search by taking each of my hands in his, caressing my palms in an effort to fully search me. 

I swallowed hard, feeling the warmth rush over me and held his gaze, trying not to show him just how much I really was enjoying the search. He moved his head across from mine, slightly passing by my lips a hair’s inch away from each other. He continued doing the same motion from earlier, but in reverse as he pushed upwards until his forearms were clutched under my armpits. He kept them there for awhile with his hands rubbing my back gently and I swallowed harder, feeling myself waver. I told myself to get a grip, knowing it had been a long time since I’d been touched by a man like this. 

He kept the slightly awkward position for a while as he stared back into my eyes, as if trying to determine my stance on the matter. Without waiting for any response, he lowered his eyes down to my chest, keeping it there for a while before taking one hand under my shoulder to trace the lines of my badge with his finger. I felt my heart start to race and held his gaze intently, putting my hands on his waist to steady myself. 

He smiled as he played with the lines of my badge. He felt my touch faltering and whispered close to my ear, “Everything fine, Sheriff?” 

I slid my hands down his sides to his hips and held his gaze, “Oh yeah, I’m good.” I felt my hands moving around to his lower back to steady myself more. 

Poe breathed deeper into my ear as he moved both hands away from my torso, rubbing my body down. He felt each curve before pulling back slightly. “Honey, the kids are home,” he quipped. 

I looked into his eyes and slid my hands back to his hip. “What do you mean?” I asked, my voice a bit shaky. 

He looked almost relieved and said, “Nothing, dear. Shall we?” he said, continuing to pat down as he slid his arms in between my body, shooting forward while his hands cupped the small of my back, rubbing past my hips in a very slow motion. 

I smiled at the feeling and felt myself moving into him slightly. “Shall we what, darlin’? Cos if you mean find somewhere to be alone then absolutely.”

He slid his hands down to my butt, seeming hesitant at first, as if waiting for me to object before pressing on. “Mmm, and what about the Apache?” he asked, as if wondering if he’d made my inquiry obsolete. 

“Apache who?” I winked, holding his gaze. 

He smiled at that and glanced at me before going down on one knee right in front of me. “I’m afraid we’re just halfway through your pat down, ma’am.” 

I chuckled and then breathed in deep as I leaned my forehead against his. He tilted his head to the side and rubbed his forehead with mine in a sensual manner as he breathed in. He took his hands up away from my hips, sliding it over to the front right below my navel while tracing my curves. I gasped as he hit a very sensitive spot and felt myself shaking a bit as I put my hands on his shoulders to steady myself. 

He hesitated and asked, “Okay, what am I looking for again?” he asked me in a whisper before massaging my hips. 

I leaned my forehead against his neck and inhaled his scent, the feel of his hands, everything about him. “I think we’re going to look for somewhere a little more private to go to?”

He looked at me with unsure eyes then, and stopped what he was doing as he started to move in a more official manner as he slid his hands down my thigh, patting it down gently. “And what about your questions?” 

I felt my knees go weak and told myself to forget about the job and focus on the chemistry I felt with this man, a feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time. “What questions?” 

He held a firm hand over my thigh. Each finger involuntarily moving as time seemed to stop. I looked down at him and traced my fingers around his ears. “So uh... I have a hotel room over in Bisbee...” 

“Mmm... well, you know, you got me all lost now. What was I looking for again?” he asked, winking at me. 

“I believe we were looking for weapons,” I smiled and traced my finger around his neck. 

“Ah yes, weapons,” he agreed, continuing to fiddle with my thigh and then slid his finger down to my leg, just above the boot. I looked down, knowing he wasn’t going to find anything on me. I smiled, feeling safe enough though I was still pretty sure he was lying about the interaction with the Apache. 

Poe patted down each leg slowly. While he was still slightly professional with it, he took some liberties and occasionally lingered on some parts, caressing me. I felt my legs start to tremble and wondered how far he was going to take the search and if he would take me up on my suggestion for the hotel room. He looked up, smiling, as he continued to search and then looked at my boots. “Do I have to take these things off?” he joked. 

“I did mention that hotel room back in Bisbee, didn’t I?” I chuckled. 

“I don’t see any prying eyes,” he quipped playfully. 

“And just what are you suggesting, darlin’?” I asked and as he loosened my belt I said, “Just sayin’ if you wanted to be really thorough with this...” I drifted off. 

“You are now under MY power of arrest, missuh,” he whispered while not looking directly at me. 

“Then we better head back to my hotel when you’re done with that boot. Is the only way I’m gonna let you do a thorough search.”

He laughed as he finished loosening the footwear before playfully sliding his hands back up my legs and thigh, as if motioning to unbutton my pants. “Who said it was up to you?” 

I reached down for his wrists and held them tightly, looking directl into his eyes. “Poe...” 

He stopped at the touch and looked up, “Hmm?” 

I had a flashback of being in the jail in Mexico with TJ so many years ago and having the same feeling of not being able to get out of an intense situation and tried to shake it off. He raised his eyebrow at me, as if trying to determine what I was shaking off. “Can we go somewhere... private?” I slid my fingers up his arms to his shoulders. 

“Uhmm...” he trailed off as he stopped what he was doing. 

“The hotel in Bisbee?” I exhaled, slightly relieved. 

“Lead the way,” he said, looking at me. 

We made our way to the hotel and I led him to my room, closing the door behind us. We sat on the couch and I asked him, “So how long have you lived out here?” 

“I’m just another drifter, miss. Just passing through,” he responded vaguely. 

I chuckled knowing that he was avoiding questions altogether now. I looked him up and down and suddenly hoped we hadn’t lost the moment we’d had when he was searching me for weapons. Suddenly I wished his hands had actually been touching skin. He looked at me and looked almost apologetic suddenly. “What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing. I was just admiring your... room,” he shook his head with a smile. 

“Uh huh... The way you were looking I thought you might have been remembering that search out by the trading post,” I said, knowing what we were both thinking. 

“Ha, you wish,” he joked. 

I chuckled and said, “Don’t underestimate my sense of observation, darlin’?” I sat a bit closer on the couch. 

“And just how good are those powers?” he smirked. 

“Wouldn’t you like to find out,” I winked and smiled wider. 

He licked his lips slightly, as if he were contemplating something really deep. “Ah... well...” 

I took a finger and traced it around the area on the couch just beside his thigh. “So we’re here now, and you’re gonna go quiet on me huh?” I traced the finger up over his thigh, remembering my own search on him and wishing I’d taken more time. 

“Well, well, don’t be shy now...” he quipped. 

I smiled and flattened my hand against his thigh, sliding it up his hip to his side and over his chest, slowly going through the motion and holding his gaze the whole time. He leaned back, keeping silent this time, following my gaze. I took my other hand and slid it up on his other thigh, meeting the hand on his chest, sliding up to his neck and the scarf he was wearing. “Can I take this scarf off, darlin’?” I whispered. 

He nodded as if caught in a spell. “Hmm... Only if you put it around your eyes.” 

“Wha...” I asked, somewhat caught off guard. 

“Well, only if you want to,” he said in a pleading tone, biting his lip at my sudden expression. 

I looked in his eyes and took the scarf off slowly. I took it and set it in my lap for now and traced my finger around his bare neck and looked in his eyes. “How much am I gonna have to touch you before you kiss me, hmm?” 

He kissed me then and we continued to explore each other on the couch until late hours into the night. I’d never felt so alive in such a long time and felt like we were lost in our own world where nothing else seemed to matter.