Black Diamond.
This morning I walked to the cafe and saw Ali and Nim already there with coffee made. Richie joined us and I hoped it wasn’t obvious that I hadn’t slept much the night before.
“Now Trin, don’t be shy. We know why you were up all night.”
I looked over at him and said, “Well if you must know... A man professed his love to me but he is pledged to marry someone else, though that woman is happily married to another man. So it’s still a tad complicated.”
“And I thought I got into some messes,” Nim blinked at me.
“You have no idea. I haven’t even told you what I discovered from Sunset. The associates that aren’t happy he’s taking so long to eliminate me? Include none other than Clint Houston and his wife Harmini.”
“You still on his trail? Well why don’t we just throw ya in a box and bury ya?” Richie asked.
“Might as well,” I chuckled, trying to keep the mood late as I’d been worrying far too much already.
“Well I mean we come dig ya back up,” Richie teased.
“Uh huh.”
“So who is the man that professed love, Trin?” Nim asked.
“A gorgeous British man named Tyson...” I smiled.
“Good for you,” Nim smiled and then greeted Bravo who walked over.
“Clint and Harm Houston, I’ve heard a lot about them,” Ali said then.
“I’ve seen Harm around a lot lately,” I nodded.
“What do you need to know about Clint and Harm?” Nim asked quietly.
“Ain’t seen Clint since that day in court when he showed up. Thought I was seein’ a ghost. I knew it was all too easy. They’re officially after me, Nim.”
“I haven’t seen neither as of late, just their kids,” Ali said.
“What for?” Nim asked.
“Remember I mentioned some associates that were sent to finish the job that Sunset couldn’t do?” I looked at her.
“Clint and Harm are these associates?”
“Yep. Small world, eh?”
“Hmmm.. well Clint’s kids live there in Bisbee with you.”
“Oh do they? That’s good to know.”
“Yes Detective,” she nodded.
I asked Nim why she was looking so tired and she said that she had been training Matty to shoot as he is one of her new deputies. We continued to talk for a while and I let the conversation flow around me as I drank my coffee. Bravo told us about five men who robbed the southern pacific flyer train and got away with $15,000.
“Last night was a zoo,” Nim said as Bravo headed off to get some work done.
“What happened last night?” I asked, not wanting to bring up the incident with Cole.
Nim pointed at Ali and said, “She would be better telling the story. I simply saw the aftermath.”
“We was sitting outside of kate when someone started hollering for a doc, turns out it was Jessica wounded...” Ali began to explain. “Karl came over after I believe talking with Jessica wanting to ask Mav some questions. So Deputy Karl was talking to Mav when someone started hollering someone was trying to kill another in the doc’s office so he left. Well when he had gone, Mav went into Kate’s and hid his guns belt. Karl comes back, was talking more to Mav. Well then Jessica comes out of the doc office. She’s wanting to arrest Mav on a warrant. Come to find out...the warrant was not even signed. So, Mav walks into Kate’s for a drink. Rikki followed, all of law that was there followed.”
“Of course...” I nodded, on the edge of my seat as she told the story.
“Two rangers, deputy Karl, and deputy Paty from Benson. Gabe and I stayed outside, waiting just for Jessica. Well, gunfire started in Kate’s, at some point Mav got his gun belt he had hidden in there. Alex the ranger had walked out before the gunfire started, kris ran out when it started. All law in Kate’s, wounded. Another marshal and I both wounded each other.”
“Sheesh...” I shook my head.
“Now, Deputy Karl was doing a fine job until all them rest got involved. Jessica was saying something about Ace shooting her.”
“I have no doubt about that. Karl is a good man,” I smiled.
“He was doing just fine on his own. Can’t say what happened to Jessica, didn’t see her in the doc’s office. Oh yes and Mav was shot, can’t really say by who cause nobody was around from what Gabe said.”
“Think I saw her runnin’ around Bisbee at some point last night,” I told her then. “Cole robbed the bank while Bree was inside. I tried to get him to cut it out but he had his gun out and took the money from her. Was nothin’ I could do. Piers came over then and I told him about it so he went after Cole in Tombstone.”
Nim sipped his coffee and said, “Yea, my kid sister was there watching that Trin, she stopped by and told me about Cole hitting the Bisbee bank.”
“That was your kid sister?” I asked, remembering the bystander who had been watching last night.
“Miss Bree will stand up for him and court and tell the jury Cole is a fine man, I reckon,” Ali guessed.
“Yea, youngest of us three,” Nim answered.
“Probably thought I was daft ‘cause I didn’t have the power to arrest him. What’s her name?” I asked Nim.
“Xaveria.”
I remembered that for my notes later and asked, “Who’s the third?” I figured I already knew who it
was but I wanted to make sure that Paisley’s information was accurate.
“Tambra, she is staying at the hotel in Tombstone I believe at the moment. Tambra used to be the law in Bisbee and helped Sarrah in Tombstone on a regular occasion.”
“Used to be?” I asked, grateful Paisley’s information had proved accurate.
“Yes, she gave up her badge when she moved away for a bit.”
“I see,” I nodded. “There ain’t much law in Bisbee, right?”
“No, as now Bisbee and Tombstone are like one, so law from Tombstone can work in Bisbee.”
“Good to know.”
Matty joined us at the cafe and went inside the kitchen to make some lunch. “Good to see you again, Matt. Been a while,” I greeted him.
“Same with you, Trin. Gather that you have a few visitors lately...”
“Too many to list... We’ll chat alone later,” I looked at him.
Matty served a plate of roast beef and we continued to talk about what happened last night and how Deputy Karl really didn’t need any help last night and was handling the situation just fine on his own.
“I will be back.. going to check the paper at he court...” Matty walked away towards the courthouse. He came back with a notebook in hand and I stood then.
“Can we actually chat somewhere, Deputy?” I asked him.
“What are you needing the deputy for Trin?” Nim glanced at me.
“Just need to catch him up on some stuff, Nim. We haven’t talked in a while and as you know there’s a lot going on.”
She scratched her head a moment and chuckled. “Sure thing Trin, take him off and question him.”
“Sure, let me put the plates away,” Matty smiled and then asked, “Sheriff? Want to join us?”
“Unless you’ve got something for him to do... I can always tell him about the threats on my life later...” I suggested with some bite to my voice.
“I will be outside my office. Nah, Trin likes her privacy.”
“I’ll wash dishes,” Ali offered.
“Miss Ali, ah, well thank you,” Matty smiled to her then looked to me. “Very well, let’s catch up.”
I nodded and headed for the saloon, sitting in the corner table. He grabbed the bottle of whiskey and two cups and then came over to join me at the table. He sat down and relaxed, “How you been, Detective?”
“Well let’s see... What was the last thing I told you? I can’t remember now it’s been so long.”
“Last time that I saw you was at the saloon in the town up north with Scara.”
“Right... What had been going on with Sunset at that point?”
“I was away.. but have not heard from him since that time.. I do not think that he has wandered around town.”
“He’s not the threat anymore, Matt. I talked with him at his cabin about everything... Went there with Pet and went inside with him to talk... I needed answers. He told me that he’d been told to kill my father because the group they were working in together wanted his medal... It’s worth a lot of money...”
“Medal? And you were okay with that? Is he dead now?”
“He was sent to Tombstone to find me and eliminate me so they could get the medal back. But as soon as he saw me and realized that I am Apache too... He couldn’t kill me. So now he’s taken it upon himself to protect me. But his associates... they are not happy that it’s taking so long for him to retrieve the medal for them...”
“Blood is thicker than water... I am glad that Sunset respect blood more than whiskey.”
“Thing is... His associates are still out there and I reckon they’ll come after me soon enough. They’re dangerous and I know who they are. Almost had a heart attack when I found out.”
“And who are those associates, Trin?” he pulled out his pad of paper.
“Clint Houston and his wife Harmini... and his sister Tayra.”
“Where do they reside? Or do they wander from town to town?”
“When I first became a detective ‘round these parts... Clint was the first case I was given. There were more warrants out on him than I could count on both my hands. We finally found him in town and he had a dual with Jimmi. He lost and went to the clinic where I finally met him. We got him behind bars but then he escaped. Word was he’d gotten killed but then I saw him at court in Tombstone the other week and almost fell out of the jury bench. I knew it had all been too easy.”
“Strange spirits abound around town that seem to bring people from the other side before their time...”
“It’s crazy, Matt... I couldn’t believe it. I thought I was done with that name. Now he’s one of the people after me.”
“Being dead does not seem to be a deterrent, so we may need to find a way to make the deterrent more.. real.”
“Regardless... I need to watch my back wherever I go. Glad I’ve got another deputy in Black Diamond area now to help with that,” I winked at him.
“Do you know which watering holes do they frequent?”
“Probably Kate’s, I’ve seen Harm standing out in front of Annie’s a few times... How have you been? Everything going okay with you and Mysti? I haven’t talked with you for quite some time.”
“Yes, everything well with her.. in a bit of a shock that I am a deputy, but she will need to deal with that... she will be on travel to get some papers from her hometown.. she may send mail instead.”
“I am glad you are law though, Matt. I’m very proud of you.”
“Thank you... needed to be done.”
“You’d be proud of me lately... I’ve talked myself out of a few close calls.”
“That’s good to know,” he held up his glass and said, “Cheers.”
“Avoided getting shot in Kate’s the other week... then Punk wanted to kidnap me for taking out my guns even though I didn’t shoot ‘em, then he stole my gun and left me alone. I said, ‘what do I care? I’ve got more in the safe back at the office’.”
“Good for you,” he grinned and poured back another shot.
“And last night I kind of calmed a situation down between the man who professed his love for me and the woman he’s been pledged to marry by her father...” I said hesitantly.
“Oh really? That’s a bit of a pickle,” he smiled.
“Mmhmm... Thing is her father’s getting ill but wants her to marry this guy because of some money arrangement. But she’s happily married to another man and Tyson.. Well.. Apparently he has a flame burning for me.”
“Who is this person? Because seems that there has been a lot of scorned women lately... I will have to get ready to put many in jail if they break the law.” He blinked and asked, “She is married already and the father wants to marry her again? Are they a different sect than mormons where polygamy goes the other way from woman to husbands?”
“Scara was quite upset. They both disappeared to settle things between them and I was left in the saloon wondering what happens now. S’pose I’ll see them both tonight or later today... The father don’t know that she’s still married to this other man. He had disappeared but then came to my office looking for Scara a week after she’d asked me to locate her husband and get closure with what happened to him.”
“Oh. Is Scara the woman that you are talking about?” He asked and I nodded. “Dang, things are more dramatic here by the minute... why marry in the first place? Odd thing to do.”
“Well I don’t know... Seems kind of fairytale ending, don’t it?” I chuckled.
“Fairy tale, that’s a good description,” he laughed. “If they will live happily ever after, it is the ever after that is in doubt..”
“I had no idea you were so cynical,” I chuckled.
He gave me a serious look and said, “I do not consider that cynical, just adding a bit of reality... situations are always in flux... and the law provides ways to settle things thru contracts... no sense in tying up the happiness of two people because there is a business deal in the offing.. don’t you think?”
I blinked at the seriousness in his tone and sipped more whiskey. “Sorry, Matt. Didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject.”
“Of course.. we started with the saying that blood is thicker than water.. so yes, I understand that sealing a pact with marriage is the equivalent of signing with blood.”
“I should let you get back to work...” I nodded and set my cup down.
“Nothing to apologize, Trin.. it is that I like to consider all consequences.”
“Oh, I should inform you though... I have set up a new home/office in Bisbee, out by the church. Much more confidential office for meetings if I need them.”
“Good to know,” he smiled. “Mmm Trin... Could you help me get familiar with the surrounding areas? I am still confusing the towns up north, and then I hear that there is a town run by outlaws as well. What’s the towns name where Kate’s and Annie’s are located?”
“I can, sure. But I ain’t goin’ into Ghenna again. A Detective and a Deputy walkin’ around there is suicide. The town where Kate and Annie’s is is Tombstone... This here’s Black Diamond... My office is in Bisbee... Benson and Venice are on the other side of Tombstone. Ghenna is the town run by outlaws, up near the fort... and the Native village is out past the fort.”
“Where is Ghenna? Is that east from us?”
“We can take a ride around when you ain’t on duty. I don’t want to tie you up all day though. I should head back to my office anyway. I just wanted to fill you in...”
“Guess that I will have to hide the badge when visiting Ghenna. It is good to catch up, Trin.”
“Indeed,” I nodded and stood. “And thanks for the whiskey.”
“I will go with you to Bisbee to see your office, if you do not mind.”
“Sure, we can do that,” I nodded and led the way out of the saloon.
Bisbee.
I showed him where the sheriff’s office and told him that there wasn’t a lot of law in the area. He said that he was close by now and I thanked him for that and hugged him. I waved as he headed back to Black Diamond and I took a seat in front of my office.
***
About an hour later I looked up and saw Mysti riding over to the office. I stood and greeted her and she asked if we could talk more about what we started to discuss the other day. I invited her inside and we took a seat at the table.
“I saw Matt earlier today... I didn’t tell him what we had discussed.”
“Oh well I did tell him about seeking your services but I thank you for your confidence.”
“Of course. He didn’t bring it up so I didn’t feel it was my place to.”
“So shall we continue... What do you need to get to work? Oh and I have your money here for you,” she reached into her doctor bag and pulls out 100 dollars in coins. She slid the coins across the table and said, “I hope this is sufficient.”
“Thank you, Mysti. This will help,” I took the money and locked it in the safe and then sat back down. “Okay so we know his name was Charles Dream... He was sent out on a bounty in Colorado Springs and never seen from since... I talked with Spank but he didn’t remember much about him... Who else might he have worked with when he lived here with you in Bisbee?”
“See that is the problem Trin,” she sighed deeply. “He wouldn’t tell me much. He said for my own protection. He didn’t even want to tell me that he was going to Colorado Springs.”
“How did you find out about Colorado Springs?”
“There was a Sheriff in Tombstone, I forget her name, that he was friendly with but she is no longer around. Do you remember a female sheriff form tomb a while back?”
“A female sheriff... Hmm... Not Skyla?”
“Yes that is who it was she used to call him a pet name, but I forget what that was too.”
“Hmm... Well I haven’t really seen her in a while since they fired her... Doubt it would be easy to get ahold of her... But I could try.”
“I am just curious and maybe it is none of my business but do you know why she was fired?”
“I have no idea,” I shrugged. “They never really explained it. Frustrated me with the whole thing and I haven’t seen her or Sirus lately either. No idea what’s going on.”
“Seems so many come and go around here, not stable as Boston was where I knew people for years.”
“It’s true.. A lot of turnover lately. She’s the one who told you about Colorado Springs though?”
“No no Charles told me about Colorado Springs after I pried it out of him and then would tell me no more.”
“Oooh,” I nodded.
“I think it was someone from his past before I met him that he was going to hunt down but I don’t have a name. God knows I wish I did.”
“I wish I knew more to help me have some sort of direction... I guess I should wander to Colorado Springs and see what I can find out when I get there... I haven’t been back there in years though...”
“I wish I could help. I’m not licensed as doc yet.”
“Well I should probably find out what’s going on.”
We stood and I hugged her goodbye, promising to keep her informed. I walked outside and found Mikk and Para at the cafe across the road. They told me that their babies were being christened today so I went to see if Scara was around and brought her to the service.
After the service Scara and I talked with Matt outside and he asked if we had heard of a person named Phelps. I said that I had never talked to him before and he said that he’d seen him meeting with Serenity at her undertaker office.
“Then I overheard a male voice just before church, cursing at Phelps...”
“Cursing at him?” I raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t know who the guy was?”
“I did not meet this other person, but I think that Miss Serenity called him Punk.. but not sure,” he said and I sighed. “Was Punk one of the guys that was giving you trouble, Trin?”
“He stole my gun a week or so back, yeah. While Serenity stood and watched. Would’ve kidnapped me too if I hadn’t talked my way out of it.”
“Ah.. that’s the guy. Will need to keep an eye on him..and Miss Serenity was also there?”
“Never could tell whose side he was on around me, ‘cause he seemed to be someone I could trust at times. After that, I have kept my distance. And yes, Serenity was there too.”
“A never ending job for you now,” Scara smiled at Matt.
“Detective.. by any chance do you know how many bodies have been buried by the undertaker and how many of those were due to either natural causes or bullet causes?” Matt asked, winking at me.
“No, I have no idea. You’d have to ask Angi or Serenity. I... stay away from that place as much as I can,” I said, having a brief flashback to Icca’s opium den of an office and shook it away.
“Who is Angi?”
“Another undertaker over in Tombstone.”
“Ah...” he nodded. “Is she also a business associate of Serenity?”
“Not that I have heard criminally, but I reckon since they’re both undertakers now... They would talk I’m sure.”
“Hw much do you know about the undertaker business? do they own territory or do they pouch business from other towns?”
“I have no idea, Matt. Like I said, I try to stay as far away from there as I can. Matt, I need to talk some things over with Scara... It okay if we continue this later?”
“Ladies.. of course...” he tipped his hat.
“We’ll be in touch, Matt,” I nodded to him.
“I suggest that you investigate the number and causes of death for each undertaker, Detective,” Matt said and I nodded to him before leading Scara back to my office and up to my living room.
We sat down and I looked over at her, “So I lost you two last night at the Crystal Palace... Guess you two had some talking to sort out?”
“Yes we did, I guess I over reacted last night. Felt it was best to apologize.”
“I guess so... it kind of took us all of guard I think. I never would have thought that he was the one who...” I shook my head, not even wanting to say it.
“I am sorry... its just.... the last time I say him he said he would drag me back to England by my hair if I left,” she shivered again. “Guess I never thought he would actually follow me.”
“But what now? He said he wanted the money so that he could settle down with the woman he loved... I... I haven’t heard a man say that word about me in such a long time.”
Sh sighed and looked out the window. “I don’t know, the money is very tempting, but I don’t want to deceive both my father and Omega. If I am truthfully honest, the $5000 dollars should really be Omega’s, it is to be given to whoever I married, but my father doesn’t like Omega.”
“But Ty’s idea of a fake wedding... We would live as we wanted to with the men that we chose to be with... Perhaps if we set it up to look like you and Ty are getting married, and your father would be there... Then Ty tells your father he can’t do it and Omega comes in and you renew your vows possibly?”
“I would love for that to happen, and maybe my father could finally accept both me and Tyson’s wishes of being with others,” she sighed. “I wonder if Omega would agree, I don’t know how to bring it up to him.”
“If your father saw how happy you were with Omega... Maybe he could accept it... Or perhaps he could see how not good for you Ty would be...” I wondered, having an idea. “Could we stage a scene where Ty hurts you somehow, like he almost did in the Crystal Palace, and your father sees it and calls off the arrangement?”
“My father would never believe it, he has know Tyson since we were little... “I don’t even know if he could make the ocean ride over if he is ill.”
Scara told me she needed to head home then and we said goodbye before she went downstairs and left me in the living room.
I heard shouting outside and wondered what was going on.
Black Diamond.
Going into Black Diamond, I heard voices over by the clinic. I headed there and saw Matt sitting on the bed. Ali and Jess were there, as well as Sadie. I asked what happened but he was busy being treated by Jess. I tried to get him to tell me what happened again and he continued to be distracted by the nurse, asking for a whiskey and a massage.
“Save my sanity, Matt. Fill me in here,” I finally asked when Jess finished.
“This fellow Phelps.. the one that was sitting next to me at church, he shot me at the undertakers office.. he and this other fellow with the markings in his body, took the priest away.. at least I saw what look like the bald head of Father.” He looked at me and said, “I don’t like that.. they shot me in my town.. and took the priest that I just finished listening at mass...”
“I wonder what happened to him... Though I ain’t sure I want to know... Who all was there? This Phelps guy, that other guy... Probably Punk...”
Matt gave me the report and it read:
Father Brother D. Core of St Jude’s church reported to me that at about 1130 AM today he was speaking to Punk in front of the library bout Punk shooting several people earlier. Punk became threatening towards him to protect himself he hit Punk with his cane knocking him out. Then Serenity shot the priest from behind and then shot Miss Labelle.
“Damn it,” I muttered.
“Bunch of cowards...” Matt nodded.
“What now, Deputy?” I asked him.
“I think that I need to have a talk with Miss Ali, Trin. And of course, need to track this Phelps.”
“Alright. You know where to find me if you need a sounding board.”
“Yes Trin,” he nodded.
I walked outside and headed for home.
Bisbee.
In the street in front of the Copper Queen Hotel, Ru came up to me with a group of men. “Ya seen that Ken feller?”
“Phelps? No, not since mass.”
“He done strung up our priest!”
“Strung up?!” I exclaimed, not wanting to believe it.
They ran off and I sighed, running back to Black Diamond to find Matt.
Black Diamond.
“Matt...” I breathed quick, seeing the crowd still in front of the clinic. “They... hanged...”
“Mis Ali.. no disrespect, but did you know what was happening?” Matt was asking Ali quietly then looked at me. “What?!”
“They hanged the priest!!! I just saw Ru in Bisbee... She said that she’d heard Phelps hanged the priest and was gonna go and return the favor!”
Matt got angry and said, “I better go then...”
“I had to... tell you,” I said, still out of breath.
“Where is the posse going?”
“She didn’t say. Just said they were lookin’ for him.”
Matt called for his horse and rode off and I muttered, “You’re welcome,” as I headed back to my office.
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