March 30
Black Diamond.
This morning I was sitting in the tree when Aly walked over with a new Husky named Dakota. She climbed up on the branch beside me and we talked about the cases that were still open and the ones I had decided were closed.
“I have some papers for you... and these are incidents that... Well I’ve been thinking that when I’m officially a full deputy Tye is gonna have be go on patrols... so I started wandering around, getting use to the area.. there are two situations I’ve come across....”
“Well, just around Diamond, Aly. That’s the only area you’ll have jurisdiction.”
She handed me a couple of papers and I started to read them as she talked. “I know you said the Apache thing is closed... but someone has been stealing Apache horses and this one was found RIGHT at Black Diamond’s entrance....that’s gonna make for mad Apache.”
“The fact of the chief and his wife moving on to greener pastures. This would be a different case then. Good to know about these. I can start looking into them.”
“Exactly. Tye mentioned going and making a visit to their camp.”
“That’s the good thing about having me... You guys have no jurisddiction over there but I could go over there since I’m welcome there now.”
“Stormy said Jack’s been giving them a hard time with their ponies,” she said and I shook my head. “Yeah. I just don’t want any more angry Apache running through her, especially over a lost horse.”
“Okay let me read these a second,” I said and looked through my notes.
“Okay.”
“Who’s the specific owner of the horse that was stolen? Was it Stormy or Quiet Wolf?”
“Well I went into town looking for Stormy, but found Quiet, so I brought him to it. Stormy showed up...all I got though was that it belonged to the ‘tribe’. So I’m not sure.”
“Alright I’ll talk to them both and maybe get statements from them about the situation with Jack.”
“I can help with that if ya want Trin, Tye is wanting me to get practice getting statements from others.”
“Like I said hon... I don’t want you to get caught in jurisdiction issues. I can go over to the village with Alex tomorrow. He’s welcome there too.”
“Okay,” she nodded. “But you know... They both wander here a lot too. Just saying.”
“I know, and if they come here then obviously yeah we can talk to them here together.”
“Okay.”
“But if it’s something that has to be investigated outside of Diamond I’d rather do it with Alex, you know? Keeps you guys in the clear.”
I moved onto the other report about the mysterious man and looked at her, “Ripley... this isn’t the same Ripley you said Bree was marryin’, huh?”
“Yes. And get this... since I wrote that report, I discovered he’s moved in with Bree...the house right between yours and Jewel’s.”
“Oh goodie.”
“He’s got some explosives and gun stuff in that house, apparently. The man is a rogue outlaw. He wasn’t all that quiet about it.”
“Guess we’ll have to keep an eye on him if he actually does something. If something does happen, this statement could be helpful in proving his character.”
“Yeah well it don’t help that he, and jewel too, know that I’m training to be a deputy. I’ll just have to keep myself more guarded. Though....Jewel..... She’s been nice to me lately. Even gave me some advice on gun usage last night, Trin. I was surprised.”
“Yeah, it is good to have them be friendly with you... Just don’t let them take advantage of you either.”
“No, I’ll keep my distance.”
“Good plan.”
“Friendly, but not friends.”
“Exactly.”
“I have no problem with that. I don’t trust anyone that isn’t you, Tye, Alex, or Ger. So it makes things easy. Oh hell, Trin, I’m not really sure I trust Ger as much as the others. H gave Sommer and Jack money to get out of jail after that trial. Shoulda let them spend their time behind bars. I’m annoyed about that.”
“I know what you mean... His friendship with Jewel scared me, though it seems like that’s ended with the fire.”
“I love him to death, I really do, and I think he means well... but sometimes I just wonder about these decisions he makes.”
“You and me both,” I sighed.
“Anyhow. you mentioned something about Alex and the Apache. That is safe for him?”
“Yes. We rode out there the other day together and he really was alright with it. WinterWolf said that both Alex and I were welcomed there anytime.”
“Well, Alex is the most peaceful person I know.”
“He sure is.”
“I’m really growing fond of him Trin, we’ve been spending a good amount of time together lately. It’s nice to have a friend like that. They are rare.”
“I know you have...” I said pensively. “He is my best friend. My soulmate.”
“I told him there are only two people in the world I feel peaceful around... Him and Pet,” she laughed.
“Yeah I guess I’m not really peaceful am I?”
“If he’s your soulmate, then you should marry him.”
“Not that kind of soulmate,” I laughed. “We transcend romance.”
“Isn’t that what soulmate means? I don’t get it.”
“No... soulmate is a kismet bond... between two people... a connection that is there whether romance or chemistry is there or not.”
“Is that something siblings can share?”
“It’s like you’re drawn to that person because you know that they’re the one person who knows you better than anyone else, even before you say something.”
“I never felt that way about anyone.”
“They get when you want to be alone, or when you want to be in each other’s arms... just for the sake of having that comfort and security and nothing else.”
“Hmm... Sounds like something real special.”
“I mean yeah... sometimes I still think that we could be perfect together romantically. But Aly if that’s what it was meant to be then we would still be living together and I’d still be wearing his ring. Sometimes I regret telling him that I fell in love with him because I think it pushed him away.”
“Why don’t you ask him that? And then you’ll know for sure. Get some clarity on it Trin.”
“I know that’s what happened, Aly. The way we talk now... Whenever we bring up either kissing or the past we both say how it wasn’t meant to be that way. We’re better as we are now.”
“I just want to see both of you happy,” she smiled.
“We are, hon. Very. I would be lost without him, or without you.”
We talked more about our dogs and about how Aly wanted to work on practicing her guns. When we were about ready to go to the shooting range, Lisa Jones came over and announced that she was moving back into town. We walked around with her and looked at places that were available and she moved into an apartment above the clinic.
Aly and I went downstairs while Lisa settled into the apartment and we saw Tallie walking through the street. “How are you today?” she asked her.
“I’m doing well, better then yesterday.”
“Something happen?” I looked at her.
“I was shot trying to stop a robbery.”
“What happened ma’am? Where were you?”
Tye walked over then and I looked over at him. “Just in time.”
“Mr Mike was shot and I was waiting with him for a doctor.... and a man came to help..which I thought was going to help,” Tallie explained. “And instead he started taking MR Mike’s possessions. I asked him to stop and instead he drew his gun.”
“Where did this happen?”
“In Tombstone. In front of Kate’s saloon.”
“Figures,” I sighed a bit. “No law around, I guess?”
“No ma’am.”
“Hon, do me a favor.. I’m going to hand you a blank witness report. Can you fill it out for me and sign it? I can give it to the authorities there.”
“Miss Tallie... Was this man named Curly? Or do you know?” Aly asked.
“Yes ma’am I would be happy to,” she nodded and then looked at Aly. “His name was Anthony.”
“Anthony?” I blinked and looked at Tye as Aly glanced at me.
“Yes, Anthony,” she nodded.
“Anthony James?” Tye asked then.
“Yes sir.”
“Great,” I sighed and Tye simply nodded. “If you could include as much detail in that report as you can, Tallie, that will help. Names, descriptions, anything.”
“He took all of Mr Mikes possessions and said it wasn’t needed since he was dead.”
“This was last night, then?” Tye asked and she nodded as Peta walked over and asked how Tallie was doing.
I asked Tye how things were on his end and he said that he was just checking town since he had a few active warrants he wanted to clear up. Tallie gave me her report and I told Tye that I planned to head over to the village with Alex tomorrow.
“Also sir we got another outlaw moved into town. Someone named Ripley is engaged to Bree...they moved in that house right next to the detective’s office,” Aly told Tye.
“Mmhmm can’t wait till he figures that one out,” I chuckled.
“They still engaged? She was awful sore at him,” Peta noted.
“I’ve met him. He tried to rob Bree’s bank, even. I arrested him on the spot,” Tye said.
“You’re kidding,” I looked at him.
“Not at all.”
“Good for you sir,” Aly nodded.
“Wait, you don’t kid. And now they’re engaged. Love really is blind,” I shook my head.
“He’s not very, uhm, discreet about them things. Even went to say he got explosive stuff in his house,” Aly said.
“Not at all. Peta told me Lot was after him the other night, too,” Tye said.
“Wow, he’s a real charmer, sounds like.”
“Wait.....Lot? He is the one that shot Mr. Mike,” Tallie said then.
“Thought it were Anthony,” Aly blinked at her.
“Lot shot him and Anthony stole his things?” Tye asked.
“Anthony shot me.”
“Was it... or was it the night before when Lot was chasin’ him for bleedin’ on Ivy’s dress? I forget,”
Peta said. “Oh I look forward to meetin’ him. He says he’s the best shot in the town.”
“Mike was bleeding on Ivy’s dress?” Tallie asked.
“Someone was.”
“Makes me wonder if he got something else to compensate for,” Aly snickered.
“Sounds like it were a mess up in Tombstone, then,” Tye shrugged.
“I’m going to ride over to Tombstone and see if Kris is lurking about,” I said then and hopped on Phoenix, waving as I rode off.
Tombstone.
I rode around town looking for Kris and decided to head to the Oriental to get a drink. Sugar was standing behind the bar I smiled, greeting her as I sat down. “How are you today?” she asked. “Care for something? Coffee? More?”
“Coffee and whiskey mixed sounds good.”
“Wise choice.”
“It’s what I always order,” she smiles. “If I order straight whiskey you’ll know somethin’s wrong.”
She turned around to make up the drink and then set it before me. “Yes, I remember that.”
“Thanks hon. How are you doing?” I took the cup and smiled.
“Oh I’m good and yourself? It’s been a slow morning. No good looking men around. If there were it’d be buzzin’ in this place.”
“I know the feeling,” I chuckled. “Would be nice to have some more good-looking men...”
“Yes it would.. well we had a few in here last night, and lemme tell you, the ladies were descending on the place like flies to honey.”
“I’ll bet,” I chuckled.
“Oh it’s true.. I go to swattin flies when it gets out of hand..” she laughed.
“Oh I wanted to update you... I’ve met with Dutch Solo... He is alive and well. There’s still a threat out there and a killer but I don’t think I’m a target anymore. I think I was just a piece of the puzzle to confuse the marshals there.”
“I feel so good having that closure, Sugar. It was amazing to be in his arms again.”
Kris walked into the saloon then and I turned, smiling. “Kris, good... I have something for you.”
“Oh Dutch is alive you say? I bet you were pleased to find that out,” Sugar smiled at me.
“Okay,” Kris said.
I nodded to Sugar and then handed Kris the witness statement I’d gotten from Tallie. “This happened in Tombstone. I wanted to give it to the right authorities. It’s signed at the top there.”
“So where does it go from here? Is he hiding out?” Sugar asked about Dutch.
“Miss Tallie. She signed the paper,” I looked at Kris and he nodded.
“Shot? Seems to happen regularly these days,” Sugar looked up.
Kris took the report and headed out of the saloon without another word and I shook my head. “Oddest man, that one.” I looked at Sugar and said, “Yeah, a girl came over to me in Diamond and told me about it. So I asked her to fill out a statement for me to give to the law here. So my job is done. I can relax now,” I chuckled and sipped the coffee.
“Well ain’t that somethin’. Your drink okay, Miss Trin?”
“Very good, thank you,” I nodded.
“Well, this bar has been full the last two nights, I hope it keeps up that way.”
“That would be great. Good business for you,” I smiled. “I was going to work here but I got so busy with investigations that I couldn’t keep doing it.”
“Yes Mill Lil’s fiancee’s brother came in last night on the stage.. He was the honey drawing the flies.”
“Oh that sounds like fun,” I sighed wistfully.
“Yes, he’s just as handsome as Jer, Miss Lil’s fiancee. Why I gotta admit, I was trippin all over my feet around him.”
“I was like that when I was dancin’ with Ed at Annie’s the other night... Gosh I miss him already.”
“Yes he seems a nice fella.. I hope he gets to town more often.”
“I full-heartedly agree. I’ve known him a while from court stuff... but the other night was the first time we danced like that... Gosh, Sugar, just thinking about it...” I felt a chill and swallowed.
“Oh that’s exciting ain’t it? Yeah, I know what ya mean, my stomach was doing flip flops around Greg yesterday.”
“I mean not that I wouldn’t dance with others.... I mean I know what Ed does for a living... But it just... was so nice being held like that again.”
“Yes, we all do things for a living, which maybe we wouldn’t make our first choice. Now I am fine with my job, but maybe Ed doesn’t really wanna be there, only has to.”
“I don’t know...”
“Well, maybe you found something in him when you danced the other night. Something he might not have realized himself.”
“Maybe... Who knows until I see him again?”
“Exactly, well I hope it is soon, is it Thursday nights they party?”
“That’s where we danced, yes,” I nodded. “I don’t know if I can wait that long though.”
“Well, I know the feeling. Can I get you another cup?”
“I think I’m alright for now,” I smiled. “Well I think I’m going to head back to Diamond. I’ll see you soon, hon,” I said and slid some coins on the counter for her.
“Alright.. see you soon Trin.. I hope for the best for Dutch. Thank you very much,” she smiled.
“He is in my past now.... We have closure. If he wants me he knows where to find me.”
“Understand that.”
“Take care,” I said and walked out.
I walked down the street and saw a man entering the bank. There was something familiar about him but I could place it. I wandered into the bank, wondering why the doors were open when there was no banker inside. The man inside turned to look at me and tipped his hat.
I looked him over and said, “I was just wondering why the bank was open if there was no banker.... I feel like we’ve met before, Sir...”
“I’ma just passin’ through, so I cain’t give no answer to that, but it shore ain’t helping me none. Sides... ain’t none of my business as to why.” He studied me and said, “Yea, you remind me of someone, but it ain’t in the front of mah mind.”
I stepped closer, holding out my hand to him. “I’m Detective Trin Paige.... Lived here for almost a year now. You remind me of someone I knew back in Colorado but I can’t quite place it. Your voice sounds so familiar..”
His eyes widened and he looked at me with surprise and was a bit flustered when he said, “Trin, Trin Paige from up ole Amiville way?” He continued to look at me, “Why shoot... these years been kind to ya. Ya ain’t aged a single day since I last saw ya.”
I blinked and then realized, “JC...... Gosh it’s been... I don’t even know the last time I saw you!” I threw my arms around him for a hug.
He laughed, letting me fall in his arms. “Shucks Trin, I cain’t hardly believe it,” he smiled wide and hugged me.
I nuzzled against him, holding him close. “It’s so good to see you again... What have you been doing to keep busy all these years? Or maybe we could get a drink across the road?”
“Well, I been just driftin from town to town, not really hanging my hat up anyplace, and a drink sounds right good about now,” his eyes kept fixed on mine. “Never figured on seeing someone from up that way again.”
I smiled and reached for his hand. “Let’s go get that drink then, if you’re done here with your bank stuff that is...”
“Well reckon I’m gonna have to come back and finish up,” he clamped his hand around mine and walked outside with me.
We walked over to Annie’s and I saw Kefira behind the counter. “What’ll it be, hon?” I asked JC.
He looked over at Kefira and said, “AH reckon that gal there knows what I drink.”
“Ah, welcome....” Kef smiled at us. “Whiskey, right?”
“I’ll have one of those too,” I smiled, thinking he’d probably been here before.
“Of course! Coming right up,” she nodded.
“You done fergot already?” JC asked and looked at me. “I got me a good hot bath here earlier,” he lifted his arm, “Smell that. Some fancy French soap or something.” He puled me over to take the stool next to him and I smiled, smelling it.
I blushed and smiled. “Mmmhmm, you smell nice and clean. Goodness, JC... I don’t even know where to start!”
“Well, judgin from them duds you are sportin, I guess maybe you still doin something with the Pinkertons?” he looked me over as Kef gave us our drinks and he paid for them.
“It actually started back in Georgetown... Started working for Sam Stillwater back then and I guess I just never gave up the profession. I love the hunt for the story and the sense of accomplishment when the full story leads to an arrest. It makes me feel like I’ve done something worth while, you know?”
JC nodded with a smile. “Yea, you always did seem to wanna git your nose in all the official business,” he winked a bit. “Me, I just been meandering from town to town... spending all the money I made on selling u daddy’s ranch. Was a mayor up in Forest grove Wyoming fer a time, and bought up, then sold a heap of land from up there. Reckun, ah jes ain’t found me a place to hang my hat yet.”
I shook my head and looked at him with knowing eyes. “Well now I get paid to get in all the official business. You woulda made a good mayor, I think.... Hopefully you find a place ‘round here to hang yer hat....” I said as I sipped my whiskey and sat close to him.
He reached down and slid another drink to me. “Here’s to ya little darlin’. Got some good whiskey here, not like that rotgut I been drinkin fer so long.”
“It is so good to see you again... We always had some sort of connection, didn’t we?”
“Yup, Ah reckon we gots some history twixt us,” he smiled. “Just seems like yesterday though now... Reckon that happens when we gets more trail under our saddles.”
“True.... I’ll never forget that day when Bill, Rosa, Claire and you and I were talkin’... Rosa got all upset about you and me talkin’... We landed up goin’ into Gigi’s photo studio and hiding out there together while we talked about what I should do about that fire article...” I sighed, remembering like it was yesterday.
He laughed, “Yup, that sure was a wild time, weren’t it?” He finished his whiskey and ordered another one as he looked back at me. “Did ya know, that crazy ole goat, Rosa, came after me, tryin’ ta gun me down?”
“She did? Well... you remember that when Bill and them surrounded me and Logan in the church when I was tellin’ him about my history with Bill, Rosa was gonna sell me to ‘em to let them all go away happy. That was the beginning of the end for me there. No one seemed to care how corrupt she was.”
He laughed and said, “Yup, thet thar Bill were quite a charachter, and Rosa, hail, she shoulda been locked up long afore all that, but Ah think, she whored herself out in secret ere sumthin.”
I reached out to put my hand on his while resting on the counter. “I guess these are the trials that made us who we are today, huh? I think my experience with that gang of miscreants made me a better Detective in the end.”
“Well, I reckon it all happens fer a reason, maybe that Miss Preacher woman I met here, might knows more bout that stuff than I do, but well... First time I met her she put me to a chore, sos ain’t in no hurry to meet up with her again,” he laughed and asked for another whiskey.
“Yeah, that sounds like Miss Pet... You know a few more of those and we’re gonna have to dance for old time’s sake,” I chuckled.
He dipped his finger in the whiskey and swirled it around to mix it and then sucked his finger clean. “I don’t have to have whiskey to make me wanna dance, I reckon theres still a few steps left in this lanky old body.”
I swallowed hard at a thought as I watched him suck his finger and asked, “Would you like to dance then, JC?”
“Well, sure, but if I step on ya toes, keep it to yerself!” he laughed and got up, offering me his hand.
I smiled and took his hand, leading him to the room around back where we could have privacy. He placed his hands on my waist and we danced around in silence, just hearing the breathing from each of us as we moved.
“Sure is good to meet up with an old friend darlin,” he whispered. He kept my hands clutched in his and guided me around the floor. “Shoot, now how many kids you done raised up by now?”
I chuckled and danced close to him, “Would you believe none?”
“Deyang... would thought ya got hitched up and had a pile of kids by now.”
“Nope, neither,” I shook my head and leaned against his shoulder. “Guess I just ain’t marriage or family material...”
His hand came up and rested on the back of my head. “Weren’t you all fired up bout some native fella over ta Georgetown?”
“Lonely Eagle... Gosh that feels like forever ago... Haven’t seen him since I left Georgetown. I was living with a man and wore his ring here but we weren’t married... Was more like a promise ring. Realized in the end we were better off as best friends and now we couldn’t be better as soulmates and close friends, but nothing romantic.”
“Well, whats that ole sayin, ya knows i does read now and then, better to have loved and lost, etc etc etc, but Ah believe he got hanged by some angry women folks,” JC laughed and hugged me. “Well least ya’ll ere still close.”
I hugged him tightly, remembering there was nothing romantic between me and JC, but it just felt so comfortable dancing with him. “It really is so nice to be in your arms, JC.... I don’t think we’ve ever danced together before, you know that?”
His eyes narrowed for a bit and he smiled, twirling me around. “Ya know, I think you are right, and you do fit up against me right nice, ya know. Reckon some relations is just meant to be friends.”
I smiled at that and said, “Maybe you’re right... We do dance well together though,” I nuzzled against his shoulder, feeling the warmth between us as I relaxed in his arms.
He inhaled deeply and kissed the top of my head. “Yes, we did always have some sort of a connection.”
I smiled as he touched my curves, wondering if there was something in our connection that was more than just friends. I stayed quiet, letting him guide the conversation and the dance. He held me securely and said, “With all the things you have had to do with the pinkertons, I am surprised you ain’t all shot up, or six feet under.”
“Well I’ll be honest, it has come close a few times.... Surprised I’ve survived this long too, honestly. I’ve been through hell and back but came out on top. Guess I’m stronger than I thought I was back in those early days in Colorado...”
He nodded, his head leaning against the top of mine. “Well that town, Forest Groves I was mayor in, ended up getting raided by a big bunch of injuns, danged near got scalped, and had to skedadle out of there, barely alive, since then, I just been wandering.”
I slid my hands around his waist, pulling him close. “I’m glad you survived though... You were always one of the ones I’d wished I could reunite with again.”
“Shoot, I ain’t nothin’ special,” he whispered and hugged me tightly then let up the pressure a bit. I blinked at the tight hug and looked in his eyes, wondering what would happen if we became more than just friends. He wrapped his arms around me and kept dancing closely and whispered, “Been so long since I danced with a woman.”
Lil walked over then and greeted us. “Hey Lil... Look who came ridin’ through town!” I smiled at her.
“You sure he ain’t a ghost? Ain’t seen him since Colorado.”
“I know, right? I was so surprised to see him here,” I chuckled.
JC’s eyes moved over to Lil and he shook his head, “Miss... Lil?”
“Hi JC, Welcome to Tombstone.”
“Trin, I well, I have to stop and talk to her,” JC slipped his arms from around me and turned to Lil. “Dang if you ain’t a sight for sore eyes.”
“Good to see you also,” Lil smiled.
I stepped back from JC and nodded, “I live over in Diamond. Don’t be a stranger, alright?” I looked in his eyes, kissing his cheek.
“I imagine I ki find ya alright,” JC smiled and placed a hand to his cheek as I nodded to Lil and headed home.
