August 26, 1899

Bisbee. 

This morning I worked on case files and finished the notes for July. I heard a note from the telegram and went over to discover that it was from Tyson. The telegram explained that his business had taken him back to England and that he didn’t want me to wait for him since he didn’t know when he would be back. I sighed, but felt relieved knowing that I could finally move on without worrying about him. I knew, though, that if I saw him again we would spend time together and enjoy one another’s company again. I sent off a telegram to Raz and asked him to meet me at Chezz, feeling guilty for how I had held him off because I’d been waiting for Ty. 

An hour later when he hadn’t shown up I decided to go for a walk and headed to Allen Street to see what was going on. 

Tombstone. 

In front of the Sheriff’s office I greeted Mr. Johnson, who I hadn’t seen in a while. We talked for a bit and then I went to the Pinkerton’s office to check on files and then talked with Cora about some things she had put in the filing cabinets. She told me that she’d been in the library for the most part so I followed her there and discovered records for just about everything. 

Bisbee. 

This afternoon I went back to the Stock Exchange and did my live gig. When I was finished, I walked outside and wiped the tears away, knowing my emotion was obvious. I saw Scara walking over and sighed, knowing that I would have to tell her what had happened with Ty. The emotion from the song had overtaken me and I knew that I needed a friend. I asked her to come to my house and when we were upstairs we sat on the couch and I leaned forward with a heavy sigh. 

“I received a telegram from Tyson this morning... He has been called to business and told me not to wait for him as he doesn’t know when he will be back.”

She shook her head with concern and said, “I am so sorry Trin, does it say what business he has to do?”

“No... He didn’t say. But it’s not like there’s been a shortage of men after me since he left,” she looks at her seriously. “I told a man that we couldn’t pursue anything because I was waiting for someone to get back. I suppose I can tell him the good news now.”

“If that is what you wish for, but don’t do anything you regret. I just wish Tyson had told me this before he left, maybe I could have found out his business for you.”

“What I regret is allowing myself to wait so long for a man that obviously, if he wanted me for himself, would make more of an effort to be here.”

We talked for a while but I knew that like everything else, I knew I would have to accept that life was just getting in the way yet again and that all I could control was my reaction to the things that happened. 

Tombstone.

I walked down Allen Street tonight and saw TJ, Dave and V standing in front of the sheriff’s office. I congratulated Dave on becoming a president and then decided to go to find Matt. 

Black Diamond. 

“Evening, Deputy...” Matt greeted me as soon as I walked over to him. 

“How are you?” I asked, relieved to see him there and waved over to Nim standing by the fountain just out of earshot. 

“Doing good. Just finished some work. What brings you here, Trin?” 

I swallowed hard, looking into his eyes. “I got a telegram from Tyson this morning.”

“And...?” he asked, looking into my eyes. 

“He doesn’t want me to wait for him anymore. He wants me to live my life and not wonder if he’s going to come around town. His business is keeping him occupied back over in England. He may be back, he may not...”

“I think that’s very brave of him.. and very gallant..” he nodded. 

“I agree... I admire him for it. Doesn’t make it easy to accept but it’s a relief too... Knowing I can live my life without guilt and anxiety of waiting for him.”

“That’s a bit of relief... although I understand how it may feel for you.” He reached over and took my hand. “It will pass.” 

I squeezed his hand and smiled, “It’s already starting to. I know I have friends like you still. I wanted you to know about it.”

“Thank you for letting me know,” Matt smiled. 

I smiled and looked at him knowingly, then changed the subject. “How is business going here? Anything you wanted my help on, Deputy?”

“In regard to the cases... What’s the status of Phelp’s trial?” 

“Phelp’s trial? You mean the charge he still has out on me for shooting me, which is punishable by hanging if I arrest him in Bisbee?” 

“Yes, that one... I heard that he got a plea and he was tried at Tombstone.” 

“Did he...” I raised an eyebrow. “How did it go? Or do you know?” 

“He went to the marshal’s office at Tombstone... gave himself up.” 

“Oh?” I chuckled. “He tried that in Bisbee. When I told him it was a hanging charge he changed his mind rather quickly. Reckon that charge is still good though since it’s a different law system, right? But... if he were to give himself up could I waive the hanging part?”

“I think that’s right, Trin.. I believe that you cannot charge the man twice for the same crime,” he smiled and nodded. 

“Well he’s already been charged just not taken in... For that specific one in Bisbee, though he has in the rest...”

“Don’t know about that, Trin...” 

“I’ll wire the mayor about that one then. Anything else going on?”

Matt whistled to Nim and I rubbed my ear, “Geez that was loud.” 

“I have been following some leads on different gangs...” 

“Yeah?” I looked back at him. 

“That’s me,” he laughed. 

“Uh huh,” I chuckled. He showed me his cigar and I smiled, “Yes dear, I’ve seen the cigar.” 

“New one... from Cuba,” he smiled. 

“Oh, it’s a new one?” 

“Yes... it is...” 

“So you were saying you were looking into gang involvements...?”

“I thought that I had a confidential informant at tombs.. but this person may have gone hiding...” 

“Oh?” I asked, intrigued. 

“Nothing major.. just gave me information about the gang movements in town...” he continued to whisper and I nodded, knowing the type of relationship well. “As far as I know.... different shades of gray in this town..” 

“Just that you notice, hmm?” I smirked. 

“I keep an open mind, Trin,” he laughed. 

“Innocent until proven otherwise?” I winked. 

“Always, yes,” he grinned. 

“Anything you need my help on?”

“Well.. need to get an intro to Angi.. the other undertaker.. I have seen some of the characters being close to her...” 

“I might be able to help you with that. Would require a trip to Tombstone though.”

“Good,” he smiled. 

“Also.. there is another issue.. an attack against Bill the retired marshal.” 

“An attack?” I looked at him. 

“He was exploring a mine south of Pierce... Apparently, someone hit him on the head... and tied him up.. left him there for two days.. without water.” 

“‘Someone’? You don’t know who?”

“He managed to escape, but trying to find out who... no, we do not know who.” 

“Bill couldn’t give any description?”

“Ranger Angeles is going to ask questions around Pierce.. see if anyone seen nefarious characters.” 

“Good place to start. Where’s Bill living now? Or where could I find him to talk to him?”

“He has a ranch west from here.” 

“Good to hear. Maybe we could go for a ride sometime and you could show me?”

“He lives there with his wife Alicia... and his brother Thadeus is staying with them. Anyway.. I have to get some dinner... but will be back later, Trin.” 

“Alright... You know where to find me,” I looked at him insistently.” 

“Sure do,” he winked and I headed back for home. 

Bisbee. 

I walked into the Stock Exchange and looked from the man on the floor to Pet. “Everything alright in here?” I asked suspiciously. 

“Uh, kinda,” Pet said and asked me what I wanted to drink. 

I met a man named Xeu and found out that the man on the floor and dancing around wildly was indeed Thadeaus, the brother who Matt had just mentioned. I recognized the other man at the bar as Xue, who I had heard of long ago with that first case against V in Black Diamond. 

We talked for a while about what happened with Bill but they couldn’t reveal anymore information so I eventually said goodnight and went to bed.