Black Diamond.
This morning I walked over to Richie’s place with coffee in hand and we sat on the balcony, talking about everything that had happened with Sunset. I had felt bad for not talking to him the night before but he had been friendly with V and the others so I didn’t want to tell him with them around.
Bree joined us for coffee and we talked about how things were going at the bank. When she left to open the bank, Richie asked me if I wanted to go inside for a nap.
“A nap? Some of us just woke up.”
“Yeah, a nap,” he snickered. “Sure nothing like relaxing your eyes...”
“Uh huh,” I chuckled. “And yet when we were dating you didn’t even wanna make out in my office...”
“Make out? Well Trin, what kinda guy do you think I am?”
“Just wanted to kiss, Richie... Nothin’ wrong with that.”
“Well follow me,” he said and stood. He led the way into the bedroom and then we lay down on the bed and I cuddled against him. “See, relaxing is nice... Wake me when it’s time to eat.”
“I will,” I chuckled.
We lay there for a few minutes, just enjoying each other’s closeness again, and then I said, “We should make our way outside, huh?”
“We better. Wouldn’t want people to talk...” he snickered.
We went back into the street and greeted Ali in front of her house. She was holding Caleb and we talked for a while about the night before, just enjoying the peacefulness of the morning.
Tombstone.
This afternoon I went to Tombstone and asked Paisley if we could talk. I told her about what happened with Sunset and that I had retracted my statement. I asked if she could retract hers as well and she promised that she would.
She introduced me to Mei Lin, a woman who was hanging out with her there at Annie’s. She was a nice girl, Chinese descent, and we talked for a bit before I headed out to the street.
There was a man standing in the street and I smiled to him, “Don’t believe we’ve met.”
“I think you’re correct, Ma’am. I would’ve remembered you.”
I blushed and held out my hand. “Detective Trin Paige.”
He glanced at my badge and shook my hand, “Glad to meet you.”
“And you are?” I smiled.
“Sorry Ma’am, I am Wordsmith.”
“That’s an interesting name,” I tilted my head to the side.
“It fits me ma’am. I used to be a writer of sorts.”
“Ah, you’re in good company then,” I smiled. “I’m a writer as well in my spare time.”
“Back east, long ago.”
Paisley walked out of Annie’s with Mei Lin then and introduced themselves to the man. Karl came over, another Deputy in Tombstone, and we talked about how things had changed since he and Wordsmith had been in town back in the day. They talked about Sarrah, the sheriff who had passed away, and then Wordsmith brought up a name that made me raise an eyebrow.
“Do you remember Hav?”
“Oh yes,” Karl laughed.
“What was his last name?”
They went on to talk about how Marshal Bill had returned but I pressed, “Hav who?”
“Let me think...” Wordsmith said.
“Not Taraug, was it?” I asked.
“Yes,” Karl nodded.
“He was king of... yes,” Wordsmith nodded.
“Wow, it really is a small world...” I blinked, remembering that Hav had always been the one part in Dutch’s story that had never made sense. “Did Hav ever mention a guy named Dutch Solo?” I asked Wordsmith. “Or maybe a Bravo Solo? Or Gaide Solo, for that matter?”
“I am trying to think of the name of his top gun,” Wordsmith said pensively.
“He wouldn’t have been his top gun,” I shook my head. “Back when I was in Colorado... I was investigating Dutch Solo’s murder, which turned out to not be him that was murdered but anyway... Hav’s name came up as a possible suspect. I never thought I’d hear that name again...”
“I can believe it,” Wordsmith nodded. “I don’t know what happened to him. I heard a rumor though...”
“From the little I heard about him, he was a force to be reckoned with. But no one knew anything about him except the Solo brothers, so I never got anywhere on that angle. Turned out it didn’t matter anyway ‘cause Dutch wasn’t the one who was killed, the body was that of his triplet brother’s.”
“I heard tell he jumped a ship to South America to look for more adventure.”
Wordsmith asked if there was anyone in town who could teach him how to play Poker and I said that there probably was. Jessica and Paisley came back over and we all talked about different events in town. Paisley told me that she had found Nim and retracted her statement against Sunset and I thanked her for it.
“I should head back to my office. It was a pleasure meeting you, Worsdmith. Hope to see you around more,” I said eventually.
“You have an office in town Miss Trin?” Wordsmith asked.
“I do indeed,” I nodded.
“Is it over the saloon?”
“Nope. It’s across from the Crystal Palace.”
“That’s where all the offices used to be.”
“Something you needed to talk about?”
“I would like to hear some more of your war stories maybe... Ideas perhaps...”
“I understand that for sure. Lots of inspiration in some of the stuff I’ve been through, though I’m sure you could spin some tales yourself,” I smiled to him.
“A few,” he grinned.
“Feel like followin’ me over there?” I asked him.
“In most of my stories I win the fights though,” he said proudly.
“Can’t say the same for me all the time sadly.”
“Shall we?”
“Lead the way then.”
We said goodbye to the others and headed over to my office where I held the door open for him. “Have a seat,” I smiled as I sat down behind my desk.
“Very nice,” he said, looking around.
“Thanks,” I smiled. “Just me here right now... Could use a partner...”
“What are the qualifications?”
“You said you’d been deputy before... You’ve been around long enough to have a citizenship... We basically just investigate crimes and help the law wherever we can, or if people come to us with private cases. But we can’t do the actual arresting. My mantre is that knowledge is power,” I winked at him.
“Interesting,” he smiled.
“The deputies are often too busy doing the shooting and arresting... so I help track down the motives and the story behind what happened.”
“I am interested.”
“Yeah? As a writer, it’s a great way to get inspiration...”
“I agree it could be.”
“You should write a note to the mayor and let him know you’re interested. Put me down as a reference and that it was my idea. I find it hard lately to work on my own. We also keep files on everyone we meet in town... Whatever criminal instance happens. It helps things in court immensely. I’m a tad behind on mine though,” I chuckled.
“He probably remembers me.”
“Oh, I’m sure he would. Tell him that I suggested it though... He knows I need help.”
“I tried law last...”
“Right...” I prompted him to continue.
“Mayor Wise? Court was interesting. I was called away right after I was hired. So it didn’t last. I think investigations would be more up my alley.
“It sounds like it... We work on our own time, don’t have to worry about statements or anything, just gathering information and helping the deputies when they ask.”
“Can I think about it some, Miss Trin? I have been known to decide too quickly in the past.”
“Sure you can. Let me send Adrian a telegram and tell him that you’re interested and hopefully he’ll get in touch with you about it. I could really use the help... Things are getting, well, dangerous for me personally and I wouldn’t mind the possible backup either...”
“I would definitely watch your back...” he started and then blushed. “Just so you know, I have been married a few times. Twice here in town.”
“We’re getting into that topic now are we?” I smirked.
“I think it’s good to have a clear start, but that’s all you need to know... Why? Is it a sore subject?”
“Well, I’m kinda waiting on a man to get back from some business ventures he’s working on... I haven’t seen him in a few weeks but the connection was too strong not to wait for his return, if that makes any sense.”
“I have a question for you though... and that makes sense, sure...”
“I’ve distracted myself with it by focusing on my work... Seems most of the time when I get involved with a man they up and disappear. I’ve almost given up on the whole concept, really. What’s your question?”
“Don’t some scallywags still shoot at your badge on general principles?”
“How do you mean?”
“I mean, when I wore a deputy badge it might as well have been a shooting target.”
“I felt the same way when I was deputy for a week... As a Pinkerton, they know I can’t really do that much but talk. Though last night... Last night is a prime example of the badge not meaning much different from deputy...”
“I think I would welcome a new challenge in Tombstone. You were shot at?”
I told him about the event at Kate’s and he was impressed with how I had thought on my feet. He told me that he would speak with the mayor and get back to me in a few days. I thanked him as we said goodbye and he headed out of the office.
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