Black Diamond.
This morning I went to Richie’s with coffee and told him all about what Sunset had told me regarding Clint and Harm. I told him that V almost shot me last night and he was shocked at the news, which was probably because he’d been talking to her a bit more lately as friends and I was uneasy about their friendship.
Tombstone.
I walked into Tombstone and found Cole standing with some people in front of the clinic. They were deep in conversation about Jessica James and I waited patiently until Cole was ready to talk with me.
“Up for a drink?” I asked when there was a break in the conversation.
“Yep,” he nodded and I led the way into the Oriental.
When we were sitting at the bar I looked at him and said, “Clint Houston? Really?”
“Yep...”
I reached for a bottle of whiskey and poured two shots, sliding one to him. “I knew it was all too easy when they said he got killed after escaping jail. Guess Harm has it out for me too.”
“Harm and maybe that woman friend of hers too...” Cole tossed the shot back.
“Which one, Cole?” I rested my hand on his thigh, like so long ago when I’d first been trying to get information out of him.
“Well... I’m trying to remember her name... The other woman, we had a shootout...”
“Did you? Recently?”
“Yep... Harm was there watching.”
“Who was she?”
“I just remember Harm cause I met her before. I think that Sunset knows the name of the other one.”
I tried to remember if Sunset had mentioned anything. “He only mentioned Clint and Harm,” I shook my head.
“Well I think there may be three of them.”
“He mentioned possibly two or three when we first talked... Could be more, who knows. I just couldn’t believe it when I heard the name Clint Houston, Cole...”
“Yeah, he’s a bad one alright,” Cole nodded.
“What are we gonna do, Cole?”
“Sunset and me have a plan to take them out... I gonna snipe at least one from a hidden position.”
“Okay...”
“Then we both come out with guns a’blazing...”
“Uh huh...”
“Hell, we beat them for sure that way. You have a gun, don’t ya Trin?”
I patted my side and said, “Punk may have stolen one but I’ve got lots in the safe at the office.”
“Alright then... You might want to get some practice in on the range though.”
“I should head back to the office, Cole. Keep me posted?” I stood then.
“Alright then... Take care, Trin.”
“You too, Cole. And thanks,” I smiled at him.
Deciding to take a detour, I wandered over to Annie’s. Walking inside, I stopped in the doorway and stared at the man sitting at the table alone. I wondered if I was dreaming and stepped closer.
“Tyson...?” I asked, seeing that his eyes were closed. I didn’t want to wake him but I wasn’t sure I believed my eyes either.
He leaned back and looked up at me, smiling warmly. “Afternoon Trin, forgive me I was lost in thought for a moment then.”
I shook my head, still captured by how handsome he was and the sound of his voice. “Tyson...” I said again, more as a statement than a question. “I never thought I’d see you again...”
“It is wonderful to see you again, and looking so well,” he let his eyes wonder over me. “How was your trip after I left you?”
I sat down and thought that I must be good at faking it because I hadn’t slept in a few days. “I... There’s been a lot going on...”
He leaned forward with a concerned look on his face, “Busy with some cases or.... other is there other worries on your mind?”
I looked back into his eyes and sighed slightly, “I met the man who killed my father... I thought he was after me to eliminate me and get the medal from Dad and therefore getting the money he owed, but... Because we’re both Apache... he couldn’t do it.”
Tyson reached over and took my hand, squeezing it. “I knew I should have gone with you on the whole trip,” he sighed. “I am sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
I took his hand and interlaced my fingers with his. “You’re here now... When I need you the most... The thing is,” I hesitated, “His associates have been upset that it’s taking so long to eliminate me. They may be taking matters into their own hands soon.”
He tightened his grip around my hand and said, “I will be here at your service as long as you need me, I would hate to see you get hurt.”
“I’ve missed you so much...” I looked in his eyes, almost at a loss for words. “I had many other suitors after me while you were gone but... I somehow had the feeling that you would be back... That day we spent here in Annie’s was too powerful not to wait for a repeat...”
He smiled and nodded, as if almost wanting to tell me something, and then swallowed. “It is a wonderful treat to be able to see you again.”
“What’s wrong, Tyson?” I looked in his eyes.
“Just my business here is becoming more complicated by the day and not very successful.”
“Would you like to take a walk with me? I want to show you my new home and office in Bisbee... It was more appropriate for confidential meetings...” I asked, tracing my thumb along his wrist.
He shook his head and smiled, “I just want to sit here with you for a moment, relaxing with you.”
Okay... I just... It’s so good to...” I started to get emotional and looked deep in his eyes.
“Don’t get emotional now, I never left, I will always be here for you.”
I leaned closer to him and leaned my head on his shoulder, nuzzling against him and feeling his warmth and safety again. I looked up in the silence, wondering what he was thinking about, but didn’t press the question if he didn’t want to talk about it.
He pulled away and smiled at me, “Shall we head to your office, this place is a bit to public for me right now.”
“Sounds perfect,” I nodded and took his hand.
“I shall let you lead the way my dear.”
We walked down the street hand in hand and I saw Scara working in the Crystal Palace. “Looks like my friend is working. Feel like going in and saying hi?” He looked over into the window and blinked twice, his face turning serious. “Ty...?” I asked.
He looked from me to Scara, then back to me, shaking his head as he stared seriously at me. “How do you know that girl in there?”
I grew more confused at his reaction and said, “I met her a few weeks ago when she asked me to look into her husband’s murder... Turned out the husband came to me to help locate her. I believe the two are reunited now...”
His face grew darker and he said, “I see... Shall we go and say hello to your friend?”
I looked in his eyes and said, “We don’t have to. If you’d rather we can...” I hesitated, knowing there was something going on that he wasn’t telling me. Then I blinked, remembering talking to Scara about Tyson and how she had reacted to that name.
“No I think its about time to be introduced, after all she is your friend.”
I rubbed my hand down his back slowly and led him into the saloon, wondering what we were walking into.
“Afternoon Trin! Good to see you again!” Scara looked up from the bar and smiled at me.
“Good to see you too Scara... There’s someone I want you to meet,” I smiled and turned to Ty.
He walked straight towards Scara, his strides defined and serious. “Hello Scara.”
I blinked, seeing he already knew her name, and Scara dropped a glass and backed up behind the bar, her face filled with fear. “Trin! Get your gun out! SHOOT HIM!!!”
“But...” I looked between them, confused.
Ty just chuckled and said, “Now that’s not very nice after all this time! You have sent me on a real goose chase.”
“What’s going on here?” I wondered.
Scara backed up more, keeping her eyes on Tyson. “Don’t you dare come near me, I will kill you myself if you do!”
Ty slowly walked over to her, following her movements. “Come now, your father would be ashamed to hear you say that. He has been very worried about you.”
I saw the evil smile on his face and I looked between them again. “Ty? What..”
Scara turned her attention to me and said, “Shoot him! What are you waiting for?!” She looked back at Tyson and said, “Don’t you dare come any closer you bastard, I left you in England and I will leave you now.”
I swallowed hard and reached for Ty’s arm. “Ty...”
He turned to me and asked, “What do you know of your little friend here?”
“I...” I found myself at a loss for words, not even able to answer.
Scara looked under the counter for something and then swears, looking over to me. “Get away from him Trin, he is a dangerous man!”
“But he...” I shook my head, not believing it.
“Dangerous?” he laughed. “You’re the one who is the little whore! You got yourself into this mess Scara. You knew this day would come.”
“Ty come on, let’s just...” I tried to pull Ty back.
Tears started to fall from Scara’s eyes and she choked out, “Trin, he’s the one! The one my father wants to marry! Get away from him, all he is after is money in this world!”
“No...” I shook my head, backing up from both of them.
Ty looked over at me and said, “I am sorry, it is true. The reason I am here is to marry Scara.”
I shook my head, going over everything we’d been through. “But... we...” I started but found myself speechless.
Scara continued to cry from behind the counter. “You can’t marry me! My husband is back and is alive and well! You have no chance Tyson! Go back to england before I get Omega to shoot you dead!”
Tyson ignored her and turned to me. “I... I didn’t know how to tell you about all this...” he looked down, and I felt my own tears start to fall as I looked between them. I had finally found a man I could trust and now it had all been stripped away.
Scara started to laugh and shake her head. “You and Trin!” She turned to me and said, “Don’t trust this man, the only reason he wants to marry me is because he gets $5000 for doing so.”
Ty sighed and ran a hand behind his neck. “Scara, we had an agreement. Have you forgotten that?”
“What?! We marry then leave each other with half the money each? I know you wouldn’t give me a penny of it, and I could never do that to Omega!” she slammed her hands on the counter.
I looked between them again, wondering where I fell into this ‘agreement’ and looked to the door, debating about running for it but I knew I couldn’t leave Scara alone with him.
“And what of your father? He is ill enough as it is, are you going to ignore his last wishes of you marrying me? And I would always keep my end of the bargain.”
Scara grabbed a shard of broken glass and pointed it at Tyson. “I will kill you first before you’d get me in a church with you,” she approached him.
I blinked, looking from Scara to Tyson, not sure what to do now. I wondered why it was never easy falling in love with a man.
“So your going to turn into your husband, an outlaw and killer?” he laughed. “You always were a naive little bitch.”
I swallowed hard and said, “Tyson, let it go. Let’s just take a breather here.”
“You bastard! I will kill you!” Scara screamed and lunged for him then.
“Stop it!” Tyson grabbed Scara’s hand with the glass in it and I tried to stop them but they were relentless. Scara screamed and yelled again as she pulled out of Tyson’s grasp and slashed him across the cheek. He jolted back and pushed her hard. “I will make you pay for that!”
Scara fell back onto the floor and I ran to her, leaning down. “Scara... Are you okay?”
She knelt on the floor, crying. “Make him go away Trin, please.”
I looked back to Tyson, my eyes piercing now, anger flowing over him for hurting both of us. “Ty...”
He cupped his face, taking a hankie and pressing it against the wound to stop the bleeding. He looked at me, eyes burning. “I...” he gulped and sat on the stool next to him. “I’m sorry.”
Scara continued to cry to herself, “Why Tyson, why couldn’t you just stay home?”
I felt my heart race as the danger was resolved for the moment and hugged Scara, rocking her in my arms. “Shh... Scara... It’s okay... It’ll be okay...” I tried, though I didn’t really believe it myself.
Tyson sighed, dabbing his face. Scara, your father is nearing the end. He asked me to come and get you, his dying request that we be married.” He looked over at me and his eyes were filled with shame and confusion. “I am sorry..... I.... I didn’t want you to know.” He looked down and twisted his blooded hankie in his hand. “I didn’t expect it to be like this.”
“What about... the wedding? What about what you said at Annie’s? What... What now?” I asked him, shaking my head.
Tyson looked at Scara but kept talking to me. “I don’t want to marry her Trin, but it is a chance for me to start a new life...” he looked over at me, his eyes starting to fill with tears. “The money I would receive would help me to start a life all of my own.... and.... a chance to be with the one I love.”
“The one you...” I blinked. “But you would be married...”
“I would file for divorce after Scara’s father passes away,” he nodded. “This is what we have been discussing before she ran away to here.”
“I fell in love,” Scara shook her head.
“Yes,” he nodded, “And look where you are now.” He sighed and looked over to me. “Is her husband really alive?”
“Yes he is. He came here and asked me to help him find Scara...”
“Well then, that’s it,” Tyson stood from the stool. “Scara, do you still want half the money?”
“It’s that easy?” I looked between them.
“Yes,” Scara nodded, looking ashamed. “Me and Omega are not very well off right now, and could do with the money.”
Tyson looked over at me and said, “I.... this money would help me settle here in the west, and Scara could keep her promise to her father.” He looked down and said, “I want to set up a fake marriage.”
“A fake marriage...” I repeated, somewhat skeptically.
“A fake marriage, where me and Scara are able to receive each our money, and then we can go our separate ways. What do you think?” he looked at me.
“Depends on what you mean by ‘separate ways’,” I looked at him.
“You’re crazy Tyson, my father would never believe a fake marriage,” Scara stood and wiped off her skirt.
Tyson looked at me and said, “We both walk away, we will never live a married life together.” He looked at Scara and said, “Your father wont be able to make the travel across the sea, he will never know the difference.”
“And... you and me?” I asked him.
He walked towards me, taking my hand. “I want you to be with me.”
Scara looked between us and said, “This is all very sweet, but you have to remember I am already married, Omega wont agree to this.”
I swallowed hard, looking from him to Scara, wondering if that’s really all it would take. “But what just happened... You and Scara... Scara is one of my best friends and...”
He looked over at Scara and asked, “Will you give me your blessing Scara? I don’t want any emotions or harsh feelings between us.”
“Is there a way for this to work without having a fake wedding...? Maybe you send your father a message saying that you got married already?” I looked at Scara.
Scara swallowed hard and said, “I will learn to forgive in time, but this idea can not work, Omega would never agree to it, and I don’t really like the idea of it. Trin is right Tyson, this is just too crazy. There must be another way.”
“How about you finally stand up to your father? You are married and happy you say, make your father understand that.”
“Tell your father you’re pregnant. That’ll shut him up and make him happy that he’ll have grandchildren,” I told Scara.
“No it wouldn’t, it would make him more angry. If only there was a way to show him how much I do love my husband and plan to be with him forever...”
“Any ideas?” Ty turned to me. “Other than her telling her father she’s pregnant?”
“Children is not really an option right now for us, not until we move to a bigger house to start a family,” Scara blushed.
“How ill is your father? No disrespect but, I’m just wondering...” I looked between them.
“I haven’t seen him in three years. That was the last time I visited him.”
“Then he should hardly be able to control your life if you haven’t seen him in that long...”
Tyson held my hand and said, “Scara’s father at the moment is very ill, but there is a chance he might get better, then he will most likely be over here himself looking for her.”
“I am dreading that day,” Scara sighed.
Scara and Tyson decided to go and talk alone, needing to sort things out between them. Tyson promised me that we would talk alone soon enough and I left the saloon as Ru and Pet came in to have drinks. I wasn’t in a social mood anymore and needed to go home and process everything that had just happened.
Bisbee.
That evening I walked outside and saw Cole over by the bank. Jess was walking over and I watched the two, curious to what was going on.
“Help! Bisbee bank! Need doc!”
“What’s going on, Bree?!” I asked her, running over to the bank.
“Cole shot Jess!”
I drew my guns and Bree told me that she was locked in the bank and on the floor but not hurt. “Trin! You better put your gun away!”
I holstered quickly and shook my head. “What the hell are you doing, Cole?”
“Robbing a bank is all.”
“Do it without hurting her and this’ll go a lot easier.”
“I don’t plan on hurting anyone and if that ranger had not startled me she be okay now too. I here for the money.”
“Cole, she not draw weapon! She not start nuttin’!” Bree shouted from inside.
“Oh do I know that? She could have puled on me with my back to her!”
“You not have back turn. You heard me say hi. Jess and turned and started shootin’.”
“I argue in court. Jest get the money,” Cole said, watching the door with guns pulled.
“On my own turf, Cole? Really?” I shook my head in frustration.
“He pulls gun on me, now I got give him money or he kill me.”
“That’s right Breezes, you got no choice.”
Bree threw the bag at him and I went around back with my gun drawn in case anything went further downhill. When Cole was finished, a ranger came over and asked if there was a bank around. Bree told him that she needed to write a witness report and I was surprised to hear that he was a ranger now. He asked why I didn’t do anything to stop Cole but I said I was just a detective and didn’t have the authority to arrest him. He suggested that I should come with him and fool Cole into thinking it’s two arresting him but I said that Cole knew me too well and he went off to catch Cole. I walked back to my office and sighed, processing everything that had happened today.
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