Bisbee.
This afternoon as I worked in my office, I saw movement outside and noticed Mysti riding over. I stood and went out to greet her. “Hey there Mysti! How are you?” As she rode over to me, I could tell that something wasn’t right. Her face went white as if she’d seen a ghost and I walked closer to her.
“You okay?”
“Hello Trin,” she said with a forced smile as she dismounted her horse. There was shakiness in her voice and I realized that she definitely was not okay.
“What’s wrong, Mysti?”
She patted her horse to go off to get food and said, “Trin, let’s... g... go in... inside and I will tell you,” she stuttered.
“Sure, follow me, hon,” I lead the way inside and asked, “Is Matt okay?”
I waited as she sat down at the table and looked around. There was relief over her face and I watched her carefully, wondering what this was all about.
“You won’t believe this, Trin, but this is the very house that I lived in with my husband Charles...”
“It is definitely a small world,” I smiled.
“A bit too small for my comfort but I suppose I must face things... I kept avoiding coming here because it would be so sad for me, but maybe this will be good,” she sighed and then continued, “Charles was a bounty hunter and was out of territory in search of someone and never came home. I heard he was killed but I don’t know for sure and I don’t know his murderer. And Matty has asked me to be his wife and I can’t get married until I know for sure. I was hoping you can help me find some answers,” she finally finished and took a breath.
“Well congratulations on you and Matty! That is good news for sure! Do you know where your husband was out searching? When was the last time you heard from him?”
“Well the last time I saw him was on July tenth when he was heading out. I think he said something about Colorado Springs but I am not sure,” she sighed deeply. “He wouldn’t be specific with me for my own protection is what I said.”
I blinked hearing her mention Colorado Springs and she asked, “Are you familiar with that area, Trin?”
“I lived there before coming to Tombstone... For a few months... I ran the newspaper there and was a Pinkerton and a lawyer there as well.”
“Ooh so I guess you are familiar. Hope that will be helpful then.”
I nodded, thinking about whether this meant I would have to face my own past and go back to a place with so many memories. Mysti looked around the room, as if she was facing memories of her own past. “Life is a funny, funny thing, isn’t it?” I finally asked.
“Trin, I am so overwhelmed right now... still trying to accept this as your office... Can we continue this another time?”
“Of course, hon,” I nodded. “ You know where to find me now.”
“My husband’s name was Charles Dream and he was twenty-five years old,” she said as she stood from the table.
“Good to know that,” I smiled at her. “Safe paths, Mysti.”
“Thanks Trin, and to you. And please let me know what I will be owing you for your kind services.”
“I will,” I smiled and went to hug her tightly before watching her walk out of the office.
Sitting back down at the table, I thought again about how small the world was and wondered if I would be ready to face Colorado Springs again.
***
Paradise walked over and we talked about my new office and the cafe that she and Mikk ran across the street. I realized that she had been around for a long time, as had Mikk, and asked her if she knew about a man named Charles Dream but it didn’t sound familiar to her. I asked her where I could find Mikk and she said that he was at the clinic in Tombstone.
Tombstone.
I walked into town and found Mikk in front of the clinic, as advertised. “Mikk, hey there!”
“How ya doin’?” he asked with a smile.
“I’m doin’ alright. Hot on a case and I could use your help. Does the name Charles Dream mean anything to you?”
“Nope, not a thing.”
“It was a long shot. Apparently he was sent on a bounty to Colorado Springs and never returned home. His wife wants me to find out what happened to him so that she can have closure and move on to be with a new man. Hasn’t seen him since. They lived here in Bisbee.”
“Well... what I do know is that Mayor Ami is on her way from Colorado on the stagecoach to here...”
“You’re kidding,” I raised an eyebrow.
“Nope. I saw a telegram that she was upset and is on her way here. Something to do with the Mayor Adrian here.”
“Really...” I tilted my head to the side.
“It would maybe be too much to say she is out to kill him... but something along those lines is my guess.”
“How about those two worlds colliding, eh?”
“Well it’s just rumors... but might be good fer a Pinkerton to keep her eyes out.”
“Especially a Pinkerton who was practically run out of her bloody town when she was bullied by a gang and the mayor couldn’t care less about it...” I said somewhat bitterly.
“I don’t know what happened there,” he shrugged.
“Better left in the past, Mikk,” I shook my head.
“Aye,” he nodded.
“Wish she’d stay in the past too but it looks like my past is catching up to me...”
“It always does...”
“First this case, now Ami coming here... What’s next? Bloody Buckshot Bill gonna come hunt me down again? Icca?”
“I was born in this here town, Trin. I always return.”
“But you lived in Colorado Spring... When I met you.. All those years ago..”
“Well yes, I move around... I still have a house in Amiville.”
“I decided never to return there. I have my memories, that’s all I need.”
“It’s a free world... some more than others.”
“You’ll let me know if you hear anything more about this rumor of her coming to town?”
“I sure will.”
Paradise and Paisley walked over and then Paisley seemed like she wanted to talk to me. “Did you want to talk to me, Paisley?” I asked her.
“Yes Trin.”
“Here or somewhere private?”
“If you have a private moment...”
“Anything else, Mikk?” I looked at him before leading the way.
“Um, no,” he smirked.
“Okay. Let me know if you remember anything.” I turned to Paisley and said, “Let’s go to my private office?”
“Remember that woman I spoke to you of that was with Sunset Moon?” she asked me before following me to the office.
“Tambra,” I nodded.
“I overheard her talking to... I believe it was V. She has two sisters, were you aware of that?”
“No, I was not,” I shook my head.
“Psst! Trin!” Mikk whispered loudly, pointing to where V was standing nearby. She crossed her arms and I sighed, looking back to paisley.
“Maybe we should talk somewhere else?” I suggested.
“Yes, you are right,” she nodded.
“And just who are ye talking about Paisley?” V asked with bite.
“Follow me,” I said to Paisley and looked to Mikk to keep V occupied so we could get away.
Bisbee.
We’d barely crossed out of Tombstone when I felt someone following behind us. I turned to see V and said, “V if you don’t mind, I need to talk to Paisley alone.”
“Excuse me, I don’t think I was done talking to you,” V said and pulled out her guns.
I swallowed and reached for my own gun, having learned from my experience with Punk to have my gun drawn out immediately. “Paisley, back up,” I told her.
“V, let it go. We just want to talk.”
“Trin don’t make me say it again.”
“What do you want then?” I asked.
“I don’t like my friends talk to behind their back. Now spill it.”
I looked to Paisley and said, “Just tell her what you were going to tell me. It’ll make all this easier.”
“I heard you and Tambra talking and heard Tambra had family here. Don’t see the problem there V.”
“And why ye tink this is yer business to be going and spreading?”
“Can we put the guns away, V?” I tried again.
“Why do you care if I tell her?” Paisley asked.
“Not until I hear,” V glared at her. “Gossip is a deep sin, Miss Paisley. Sin must be punished. Now ye wouldn’t want to be punished, now would ye?”
“Come on Paisley, just tell her everything.”
“You planning on punishing me?”
“Let’s just say Iffin I hear folks talking behind my friends backs.. then t’er up to no good, and well tat Miss Pasiley... deserves Justice.”
“She never said anything about bein’ up to no good, V,” I said, “Just sayin’ somethin’ about having sisters.”
“I think family is important,” Paisley agreed, “Having lost most of mine.”
“Do I look like I need to lie to you?” I asked her. “I always try to find the truth. That’s all the truth I know.”
“Think what you wish of me, V. I care not.”
“I use to tink ye were a fine woman Paisley.. now I am wondering upon coming up and hearing gossip from ye,” V said with bite.
“V, please. Let’s just put the guns away and all carry on.”
“You were on the street Miss V, not in private.”
“And my conversation with Tambra was not yer own. Iff’n I wanted ye to be involved I would have.”
“Then have tea with her in your home.”
“If it was in the public street, V, then it is for the public ear. You want to have a private conversation, go to an office or another room,” I explained.
She spit and said, “Just cause folks talking on the street done mean ye got to spread what they talking about.”
“Nothing wrong with a person having family.”
“When it has to do with a man who’s involved with my father’s death, it’s every bit of my rights to know things,” I told V, getting impatient.
She looked coldly at Paisley and then back to me. “Ye got a beef with her take it with her.. gossiping ant going to get ye anywhere but 6 feet under ye hear?”
She holstered her gun and I nodded, “We done, V?”
“Take head my words carefully Miss Paisley.. Trin.. It not wise to mess with things ye donae know..ye might wide up with a few surprises you donae want savvy?”
“I know a lot more than you give me credit for, V. Now if you don’t mind...”
“And there are times keeping secrets is more trouble than it is worth,” Paisley said.
“Whatch ye back,” V sneered and walked off.
I rolled my eyes but watched her walk off. “Let’s go,” I said to Paisley with a bit of bite and led the way back to the Tombstone office, since V was headed for Black Diamond. I holstered my gun on the way, seeing we were at last out of immediate danger.
Tombstone.
We walked into my office and I closed the door, locking it again. When she commented on how nice the office was I said, “I have another office in Bisbee. It’s more private. The next time you wanna tell me something like that, wait ‘till we’re out of the street.”
“Sorry...”
“We just narrowly avoided getting shot.”
“I have just been trying to find you with this information is all. Tambra has three sisters... One is Nim. I can not recall the others.. I will recognize the names if I hear them. But Nim?”
“That is surprising.”
“I thought you might want to know.”
“Sunset told me that I could trust Tambra though.”
“I understand, but I am concerned for you.”
“And I appreciate it... but Sunset isn’t the enemy anymore. He’s here to help me now. It’s his associates that are the problem. Not that we know who any of them are..”
“With V so agitated and all... you need to know all you can.”
“Anything else?”
“Nope. I will let you think on the information. Be safe around others you are not sure on.”
“Of course,” I nodded.
“I can not be 100% sure, but I think they may, I say may be Hav and Xan.”
“Hav Taraug?!?!” I blinked. “Hav is a man...”
“As I said I am not positive.. I overheard remember. Both were three-letter names.”
“I need to head back to Bisbee. Thank you for this, Paisley.”
“Anytime,” she said and I followed her outside then made my way to Bisbee.
Bisbee.
As I walked over to my office, I saw a man standing in front of the door. I approached cautiously and then sighed with relief when I recognized Spank. “Spank, thank God... Can we talk inside?”
“Hello Trin. After you.”
I led the way inside and sat down at the table. I didn’t even wait until he sat down before I asked, “Does the name Hav Taraug mean anything to you?”
“Hav, yes... I know Hav. Trouble?”
“Is he related to a woman named Tambra?”
“Related I am unsure but...”
“But...?”
“Friends, I know they are.”
“Damn it,” I shook my head.
“Anything a miss?”
“Okay how about the name Charles Dream?” I asked, changing the subject as my heart raced a mile a minute.
“Charles Dreamscape?”
“That’s possible.”
“The name I seem to recall some how...”
“What do you remember about him?”
“Nothing... Just the name sounds familiar.”
“He used to live here... With his wife Mysti... Was sent on a bounty to Colorado Springs ages ago and never found since.”
“I cannot help you there.”
“That was a long shot I guess...” I sighed. “When was the last time you saw Hav?”
“Hav I have not seen in a while now.”
“Hm...”
“I feel bad I cannot help too much, but I know trouble normally followed him.”
“That’s Hav,” I nodded... “Un-bloody-believable... Oh... Here’s another shot in the dark. This one’s gotta stay between you and me.”
“Ok...” he nodded.
“Ami Coche...” I tried.
“Ami... Have not spoke to her in a few months now.”
“Ever hear any rumors about her having a feud with Adrian?”
“Nope. Never heard that one before.”
“If you do... Let me know?”
“Yup, sure.”
“Thanks, Spank...” I nodded.
“So I am not in trouble?” he asked.
“You’re not. I might be.”
“I am sure you’re in no trouble.”
“The guy who killed my father has been told to kill me and get my father’s medal. Since he’s taking too long, because he can’t do it, as he told me, they’re out to find me themselves. If Hav, or Tambra, or V, or... It could be anyone,” I shook my head.
“So ya better sleep with ya guns under ya pillow, if ya do not already.”
“Damn straight,” I nodded.
“Well ya know the Bisbee way... Hang ‘em high.”
“Yeah, I saw the rules in the law office.”
“No shame, no glory.”
“Thanks again, Spank. Guess I have a lot to process. Spank... who’s law in Bisbee? Officially?”
“I think Snakeye.”
“Anyone else? Frost, right? Haven’t seen him around much though...”
“That’s it,” he nodded and then said goodbye, heading out of the office.
***
As I sat in front of my office this evening I saw Sunset walking over and stood. “Evening. Is there news?”
“What’s this place?” he asked, looking around.
“Bisbee... A small town, not a lot of people come through here.”
“Just the dead man. But I did see a familiar face in the crowd a couple days ago.”
“A familiar face?” I asked, intrigued. He nodded and I walked closer to him, “Tell me it wasn’t Hav...”
“Who?”
“Thank God...” I exhaled with relief. “Who was it that you saw?” I asked after controlling my emotions again.
“I saw... a woman,” he sighed. “One of the bosses of the Mavericks.”
“The Mavericks?” I blinked. “Which woman?”
He nodded, scanning the hills and I stepped closer to him. “The boss, my... I guess she is my ex-boss now. No one crosses her.”
“Tell me a name,” I looked at him.
“Harm. Harmini.”
I felt myself going dizzy at the name and looked around for something to grab so I didn’t faint. “Good Lord, no...” I shook my head, praying it wasn’t true.
“You alright?” he asked, watching me.
I shook my head, reaching for him to steady myself. “Clint...” she mutters... “Damn it, Clint... I knew it was too easy... I knew he wasn’t... Damn it...” I swore, trying to gather myself.
“We, me and Cole, will do everything we can to protect you. but against Harm,” he shook his head. “It won’t be easy.”
I grabbed his arm and looked in his eyes, “Clint was one of the first cases I solved here in Tombstone... I helped put him behind bars. I... He... I saw him at a trial at the courthouse a couple weeks back but I thought I was seeing things...”
“Clint and Harm? Oh no!!!!!!! They are unbeatable! Look you know this area better than I do and the people too. Who can you get to help? Anyone? Even another gang.”
“I know people,” I thought of Ali and Gabe, “On both sides of the law. I studied Clint’s case inside and out, Sunset...”
“Who are they?”
“They said he’d been killed and I just knew it couldn’t be that easy. We’d worked too hard.. He’d escaped jail... and now he’s...” I ignored the question, too fixated on the threat of facing Clint Houston again.
“Well, then no wonder Harm wants your head.”
“But wait... How did they get caught up with... everything with my father? You never told me why exactly you had to kill my father.. Just why you were here looking for me.”
“I was told to... me and five others... my bullet didn’t kill him though.”
“Right... You said that in Goldfield I guess... I just...”
“Now sit yourself right here,” he held out a chair for me by Chezz Cafe and I sat down, shaking my head. “That’s better. Since you living here now... goodness on the street too, this is gonna be hard to defend. I’m gonna scout the town to see if I can find a hidey-hole.. But we sure need more than just me and Cole.”
“Okay... I should find Cole tomorrow and show him the new office. I wanted a better place for confidential meetings.”
“Damn, on the street.”
“I will talk to some folks I can trust. I’ve already talked to them about keeping eyes and ears out. Now I can give them names.”
“You have a good evening, Trin... And please stay safe.”
“I will try... Thank you for... Telling me more.”
I watched him walk away, and leaned forward against the table, processing everything.
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