Black Diamond.
This morning I woke up from a restless sleep of nightmares when I heard the door open. “It’s just me,” Richie assured me. “Thought I’d bring you some coffee.”
“Richie.. Hi...” I sighed with relief and blinked, remembering now where I was.
“Well Trin seems you need tell folks whats going on people who can help ya, and maybe stay over here in Black Diamond where we have some Law.”
“I was thinking of staying in Black Diamond for a while,” I took the coffee from him and sipped it slowly. “Not like I’m getting much done in Tombstone anyway, and your coffee is infinitely better.”
“Well lets go downstairs Nim is down there. We got her to thank for fresh coffee.”
“Sure,” I nodded and headed downstairs.
We sat down at the cafe and waited for Nim to arrive. She came and got us some coffee and joined us at the table. She asked if we were hungry but I didn’t want to eat anything.
“Well Trin, if you want to write up a statement on the fella yesterday that gives me something to arrest him on, I will gladly get a warrant issued.”
“He hasn’t done anything yet. He killed my father fifteen years ago... Other than that he’s just been messing with me and making me nervous,” I shook my head. “I didn’t know he killed Dad until he admitted it last night. All Josh had told me was that Dad was killed by some gang. We had no idea who. I found that out shortly after he was killed ‘cause Josh came to Colorado. Josh is my brother,” I clarified. “I just feel safer bein’ here where you are, knowing there’s actually law to watch my back. Josh hasn’t been around town at all except when he visited me the other month in Bisbee for a few days.”
“Trin, can I ask a favor today?” Nim looked at me.
“Ask away.”
“I would really not wish to see you as prosecutor for Miss Serenity’s hanging trial at 10.”
“Don’t worry about that, Nim. I ain’t even seen when trial is scheduled for. Wasn’t planning on being in court today.”
“Good, I am going to ream Cletis in this one.”
“Cletis?” I blinked. “Cletis is the DA?”
“No, the arresting officer.”
“Don’t scare me like that,” I winked. “I thought you mighta hated me after the other night, Nim.”
“No, I got frustrated with Adrian and Lot the other night, Trin. Wasn’t your fault, think we both learned something. I really felt bad for Tessa, as that left a bad taste in her and her husbands mouth over Tombstone.”
“I know it did... but all I wanted was advice. They didn’t have to turn it into a thing. I even offered to hand the case over to another Prosecutor and offer myself as witness but he wouldn’t hear of it.”
Nim went into the cafe and made us some bacon and eggs. She set a plate for me and I picked at the bacon, realizing I was more hungry than I thought. We talked about how I would be able to help as a detective around Black Diamond.
Nim told us about a ranch she was getting set up and then she said that Ali was going to have the baby soon. We joked around about different jobs in town and it felt so good to laugh and relax with friends after such a traumatic night.
Nim took Richie and I out to see the ranch that she was developing on the outskirts of Black Diamond. It was a gorgeous open field with a stable on one side and a pond in the middle. There was so much potential and I couldn’t have been happier for my friend.
I went home and changed out of the clothes I had been wearing the day before and then came back to Black Diamond to sit down on the bench in front of the Sheriff’s office. Richie said that I should have a house in the area and I told him that my home is in Bisbee and that won’t be changing.
Nim and Wedge came over and joined us and then a man came over that I didn’t recognize. “Good day stranger, welcome to Black Diamond,” Nim greeted him.
“Good da, Sheriff,” he tipped his hat to her.
“Hows the morning treating you so far?”
“It has been well.. the ride to town has been uneventful.”
“Quiet morning. So you from around these parts?”
I watched with interest, hoping to catch the man’s name. “New in town,” he answered, “Been living in Indian country for quite a while.”
“Speaks volumes of the man then, names Nimbrel, though most call me Nim, you?” she smiled.
“Well met, Nim. .. my name is Matty...” he nodded with a smile.
“Well met Matty, what sort of work do you do?” Nim asked.
“Nice horse ya got there, Sir,” I smiled to him, looking the stallion up and down.
“It is a very loyal horse.. name is Wind.”
“Nice name for a horse. My name’s Trin.”
“Good to meet ya,” I smiled.
“I was with the Buffalo Soldiers... a while back.. was their tracker...” Matty told Nim.
“Honorable line of work, we could use some hard working men in Black Diamond, might take a good look at our town and opportunities,” Nim nodded.
“One of their trackers... but I was ambushed by the Chiricahua and the troops left me for dead...” Matty continued and I raised an eyebrow.
“Sounds like you could use a small, peaceful town, Matty,” I smiled.
“I am trying to get the lay of the land, Sheriff...” he nodded.
“Lots to see Matty. If you have any questions during your exploration, I am always available for answers,” Nim smiled.
“Yes, peace and quiet... this town seems like that type...” Matty nodded to me.
“It sure is,” I smiled.
“Well this here is a quiet peaceful town... Ain’t it Sheriff?” Richie asked her.
“Sure is Richie, except when your snoring,” Nim shot back to him.
“Can actually hear yourself think out here,” I smiled.
Ali and Jan walked over and joined us then, and we talked about the cafe where Nim had made such a great breakfast. Ali was shocked at the fact that Richie cleaned up the dishes by his own accord. We continued to chat and I stayed quiet as Jan and Richie bantered.
We made our way back to the cafe for lunch and Matty worked in the kitchen, cooking us a plate of rabbit meat. The food was delicious and Ali told Matty he should take over the cafe when he became a citizen.
“That’s something to consider... I do my own hunting, and still indian country is a bit of a home for me,” he looked at Ali.
“You will end up tomahawked over there fella,” Richie pointed out.
“Was born outside of Fort Worth, my father owns a big ranch and supplies beef to the US Cavalry there,” Nim explained. “Poor man had three daughters, but still taught us all how to run a ranch.”
“US Calvary...” he nodded to her. “You turned out alright from what I see.”
“Well I have my ups and downs, not sure father enjoyed it when he learned I worked at Dutch Annie’s for a good spell.”
Matty turned to Richie and said, “For some, yes.. arrow in the back too.. but you see.. I was captured by the Chiricahua... and eventually was set free after proving myself.”
“I see...You still best watch yourself,” Richie said.
Ali headed home to rest and Nim told her that she needed her and Gabe on the jury today. “Stop in Tombstone in an hour Matty, you can see me in front of a court at law,” she told him.
“I will certainly do that... are you brining a fellow for trial?” he asked.
“Have a woman facing a hanging charge that I will be defending this morning.”
“Can’t wait to hear the verdict of that one,” I said as I drank my coffee.
“That’s serious charges,” Matty nodded.
“No sir, I am an attorney as well, Father did send me to school.”
“But you defending or your jurisdiction is limited to this town while you exercise your knowledge of the law in another town?”
“My badge is just this town, my ability to defend in court is anywhere the US Constitution applies,” Nim answered.
“That’s good to know,” Matty nodded.
“Either one of you planning on becoming a judge?” Ali asked, looking from Nim to me.
I had been lost in my thoughts and flashed back to the present. “Judge? Doubt that... Don’t think I have the patience for it.”
“I had that ambition when I was a Dove, Miss Ali, as it would have been a first to have an active Dove sitting on the bench as well,” Nim answered.
Richie decided to go have a nap and then Ali and Nim headed off to do some work. I realized that everyone had left but me and Matty and as he returned from cleaning in the kitchen I said, “Have a seat, Matty. Sorry I’ve been so quiet... been an intense few days.”
“Is that so? What’s your line of business that has been so intense?” he asked as he sat down.
“I’m a Pinkerton Detective.”
“Ah.. detective... that’s sound like a tracker to me... my old profession.”
“But the intensity isn’t quite related to my work...”
“Can you share the troubles?”
“There’s been some... family troubles as of late, back home.”
“Sorry to hear that,” he nodded with a sigh. “Is your family better now?”
I shook my head and explained, “My father... he was killed about fifteen years ago... My mother and brother live up north in Canada at a ranch we own... Lately we’ve been getting threatening letters from the gang that killed Dad. And the past few days... this man’s been comin’ around Tombstone lookin’ for me and askin’ questions about me. Last night... He admitted to being the one who killed my father.”
“Were you alone?” he looked into my eyes then.
“Last night? No, I had friends with me. And Nim, a friend and a sheriff.”
“I gather then that the fellow is now six feet under... or is he singing, free with the birds?”
“See these letters... They’ve been asking for money that Dad owed. I went up north a couple weeks ago but got shot by some gang who met me at the house. They said they wanted money from Dad ‘cause he owed it to them from bein’ in the gang. I just can’t believe it though... Dad was a soldier... He wouldn’t have...”
“Fifteen years and now they want to collect? that’s does not seem right...” he said as he read over the letters I handed to him.
“We were younger then... Didn’t have as good jobs... Guess he heard that I’ve become a Prosecutor too as well as a detective... I don’t know... Maybe he thinks we’ve got the money now. Thing is last night... he walked away after admitting... that he killed my father. I never thought I would see the man that killed my dad...”
“There is more to this than just money owed.... I think this is more an extortion than settling a debt.”
“How do you figure?” I looked back at him.
“Because your family is way up north.. and you are a detective for the Pinkerton agency... and the Pinkerton are held in good confidence by many ranchers, politicians and bankers....”
“But now I’m a lawyer too... A prosecutor at that,” I nodded.
He lowered his voice and said, “I think they think that you may provide them with assistance to get money from...” he pointed to the bank.
“You think so? I hadn’t thought of that...” I raised an eyebrow.
“Of course, I am assuming that Pinkerton is protecting this bank.. but perhaps is another...”
“We don’t have much pull with that stuff,” I shook my head. “We help investigate crimes when asked.”
“And as part of the investigation, you know how to follow clues...which will help the gang to know how to hide the clues when they go a crime.. unless they are in search of notoriety.. and do not care announcing that they are the perpetrators... but I simple fellow just following common sense.”
I studied him hard, wondering how he knew so much about all of this. “You said you worked as a tracker yourself?”
“Yes, Ma’am... tracker for the buffalo soldiers during the indian wars.”
“Guess I’ve just been so caught up in the emotions I didn’t really think about every angle... I was too afraid for my life to think rationally,” I sighed. “This is my family we’re talking about... not just another case number, you know?”
“And that makes you very vulnerable to extortion and blackmail...”
“Guess you’re right... I just don’t know what to do now other than watch my back. I’ve barely slept or ate in the past week... Been so worried about this thing blowing up.”
“Watching your back is standard.. not sleeping or eating will hurt you...” he looked at me seriously and then thought for a moment. “You have the sheriff as friend. and your fellow detectives... perhaps sharing this possibility with them may help solve your problems...”
“I have told them everything last night and this morning... They know the whole story now. I know they’ll help me and keep me safe if they can.”
“Are you a good shooter?” He lay back o the chair and laughed, “Stupid question... you are a detective.. you have to be a good one.”
“If I need to be but that’s my last resort,” I smirked.
“Understood...” he grinned. “Last resort... perhaps the gallows or putting them in a nice cell will be easier and better. But you may need to gather proof of what they really want to do...”
“This really was a good meal, Mat. You should think about doing it as a business,” I finished the food in front of me and looked at him.
“Thank you... it has been a while since I have cook for anyone...”
“Not married?”
“But you have not answered one of my question.. why you did not put six feet under the fellow who confess to killing your father? No, not married... had a companion in the tribe, but there are no formal marriages in indian country...”
“He had already walked away by the time he admitted it and was out of range for a good shot. And I was too shaken by the fact that I’d been face to face with the man who’d killed my father.”
“What a coward.. do you believe him? He may be trying for you to make a mistake in anger then...”
“I believe him. It was my reaction and the feeling I had from his presence and the way he looked at me.”
“Is the fellow staying in town or was he passing? Probably need to track him down and bring him for questioning...”
“I have no idea... I’ve seen him in various areas so I’m not sure where he’s staying.”
“I am sure he may be staying close to track you down...”
“Howdy,” a woman’s voice broke the conversation and I turned to smile at her.
“Evening, Mysti...” Matt greeted her.
The woman dismounted her horse and smiled at us. “I have seen you but I don’t think I know your name.”
“Name is Trin Paige, and yourself?”
Matty stood and said to me, “Been staying in her ranch doing helping around... met her yesterday at the Saloon.”
“Oh have ya? Glad you have a place to stay,” I smiled as Matt offered her a chair and she sat down with us.
“Thank you Matty, what a gentleman,” Mysti said as she sat down.
“Nice to have some gentlemen around eh?” I smiled at the interaction.
“Aye its Mysticall but Mysti for short,” the woman nodded to me.
“I am still learning the lay of the land...” Matty said to me, then looked at Mysti. “Trin is one of the Pinkerton Detectives.”
“Yes ma’am. Detective Trin Paige,” I nodded.
“Ooh...” she looked pensive for a moment and then said, “I feel at a crossroads and don’t know what
I will do. I am recently widowed and have been a dove but it doesn’t seem to suit me any longer so I am looking for what I might want to work at.”
“Perhaps you and Matt could run this here cafe together?” I winked at Matty.
He smiled, looking at us both. “That may be a good suggestion for me.. but the lady here may not want to be stuck in the cafe after enjoying the lights of stage.”
“Run this cafe?” Mysti looked at Matty. “I am told my cooking is good but I have never thought about running a cafe. Is this something you would be interest in doing Matty?”
Matty smiled and blushed then. “Well, I have never cooked to many people. Today was the first time that I did... two rabbits.”
“Was mighty fine too,” I smiled.
“Thank you, feel honored,” he put his hand on his heart.
“Well as I said I am at a crossroads. It might be settling to run a cafe. Do many people come here? It is still work of service which i think I like.. to serve others.”
“That or work in the saloon perhaps.... Is what I did when I started out. Got to meet lots of people that way, listened to lots of stories. Helped I was running the newspaper at that time too,” I winked.
“Ah.. and that’s the interest for detective... I’ll bet that you have many sources from your stint in the newspaper,” Matty smiled.
“Trin you are so kind to offer and I don’t want to miss an opportunity when it presents itself. May I have a day to consider it and let you know at the next sun?”
“Well miss, I’m not really the one to talk to. I’d find Ali or Gabe Fitzsimmons and ask them about opportunities. I’m just a detective,” I winked and then looked at Matt. “Actually, the newspaper job was a lifetime ago... In another state. I’ve since traveled far from there to start over for various reasons.”
Matty touched his nose with a finger and winked at me. “Perhaps, but the instinct to investigate was there....nothing like a good reporter to get to the bottom of things.”
“So many of us changing and starting over for various reasons. but detective must be such exciting work.”
“True enough. I’m a writer as well so I guess it’s the hunt for the story as well as anything else. The hunt for the truth.” I looked at Mysti and asked, “How long have you been a Dove? I’ve been here since May, surprised I haven’t met ya.”
“Ooh I meant to ask you Matty, how did you sleep last night? Was it satisfactory?” Mysti looked over at him.
“Yes, it was,” he nodded. “It was more than comfortable with the blanket and pillow that you lend me... I am used to use grass for pillow when sleeping in a tent.”
“Matt, you’ve had some interesting adventures yourself, it sounds like,” I looked at him.
“I’m glad you were comfortable,” Mysti smiled at Matty and looked to me. “Can you tell me how you got into being a detective? I think what Matty said is true that the paper work reflected your natural qualities anyway.”
“You may say that,” Matty looked at me. “Last night I shared a bit at the saloon, but I think it was more the whiskey that made my tongue loose...”
“And your shirt,” Mysti laughed and winked at him.
I chuckled at the two of them and said, “How I became a detective... Well... I moved to Colorado over fifteen years ago now... and the first day I was there I found out about this man that had been murdered. He sounded like quite the legend and it seemed like the law wasn’t really looking into it much, so I took it upon myself to find out what had happened to him... Oh wait, that’s the story that led me to be an investigative reporter,” I chuckled.
“See, Matty was right. You are an investigator by nature,” Mysti laughed with me .
“Now that’s an auspicious beginnings,” Matty smiled to me.
“Why I became a detective... well... Originally it was because there was several groups of outlaws in town that had been taking over and the law needed help but I wasn’t good with guns then. But there was a more personal reason later... of why I became a Pinkerton specifically... I’d been bullied out of town by one of those outlaw gangs... Don’t want to get into specifics... but at any rate it changed me. I ran for my life and wound up being taken in by some various Native tribes... I thought they trusted me but then they started to fear that I had brought danger to them and I was ousted basically... I realized the only way to get them to trust me would be to see that I was on the side of the law... I became a Pinkerton so that they would see I wanted justice, but through conversation and understanding rather than violence. Since then... the gun has always been my last resort,” I looked to Matt for his reaction.
“You show wisdom, detective,” he nodded in understanding. “Good lessons that you learned with the tribe.”
“Hard lessons,” I reflected. “I thought they were my friends. The chief of the one tribe was shot down by a man who had been in that first outlaw gang I mentioned... I went out to help and that man shot me down. The natives healed me but then wanted me to join in scalping someone who had been shooting with him. Then they waged war on the town to find the man who had shot their chief and I was told to show them where he worked or I’d be taken captive. I did so, since he was part of that gang, but I have not trusted Natives since.”
“Your kind of justice makes sense,” Mysti looked at me with admiration in her eyes. “Not so much for what I have seen in Tombstone.”
“Even though I...” I looked down then.
“Trusting the natives...” Matty started, “It is not you that have to trust them, but them to trust you. I know... I lived through that and learned it well.”
“When my brother came to tell me those years ago that our father had been killed....” I looked at Matt and realized Mysti didn’t know that story but continued anyway, “He also told me that we were four-generation Apache. It took a long time to grasp that I had come from the same line of people that had hurt and betrayed me so deeply.”
“What white man does to Natives... It is understandable that they do not trust,” Mysti nodded.
Matty nodded with a smile, “That may explain also your line of work... You have Apache blood... You are a tracker by nature of your roots.”
I looked down at the painful memories, my finger tracing the scar on my forearm that was barely even noticeable now. I looked up at Matty then and said, “Sometimes I wish I didn’t have those roots. Often times, in fact.”
“Oh Trin...” Mysti said with deep compassion in her voice, “Never forget your roots. Be proud. From what I see in the ways of Native compared to the ways of White Man I am ashamed of what my kind has done. I would be proud to be a Native.”
Matt reached over, taking my arm and looking at the trace of the scar. He looked in my eyes softly and said, “I have similar scars, but I was the one that decided to take them. I had to prove myself to the tribe, and I went through their manhood initiation ritual...” He looked at Mysti and said, “You may be right, but this is not about compassion or understanding. It is about belonging.”
“Oh my gosh Matt...” I suddenly realized something with a start.
“Then at least you have a place to belong. Many do not,” Mysti cast her eyes down.
“Sunset... He...” I swallowed hard, looking at Matt. “He was a Native...”
“What happened to him? You said, ‘was’...” Matt listened carefully
I realized his hand was still on my arm and went to squeeze it. “What if he killed my father for something deeper than money... What if...”
“Is Sunset the fellow that threatened you last night?” Matt asked.
“Sunset is a man who has been coming around town, trying to scare me or entice me or something... Our family has been getting threatening letters about wanting money that my father owned his gang... Sunset admitted last night to killing my father... Sunset is native... We’re four generation Apache... What if...” I looked between them, my eyes widening at the possibilities.
“Please, continue,” Matt felt my hand and then released it.
“What if something happened because Dad was part Native... What if something else happened that triggered it... What if Dad wasn’t part of the gang but there was some sort of Gang/Native scuffle and...”
“So many possibilities Trin, and...” Mysti said and trailed off.
“That may be a possibility,” Matt nodded. “Grudgese among tribes last for generations. I was with the Chiricahua Apaches, and it took the Indian Wars to unite them against the White Man...”
“It’s the only thing that makes sense! When I went up north a couple weeks ago the gang that shot me said that Dad had been apart of their gang and owed them money... But that’s too simple... Dad would never do something like that. But he WOULD stand up for a Native tribe if they were being threatened...”
“Indeed he would,” Matt nodded. “Once tribe, always tribe.”
“So what do they want from me then, if not money? Sunset... he made a slitting gesture against his throat when he looked at me and walked away last night...”
Mysti took a deep breath and said, “Still a grudge held perhaps that is stronger than money.”
I sighed, wondering what it could be.
“That’s something to find out,” Matty agreed. “Do you know the tribe of Sunset?” Matt asked.
“I don’t know anything about him other than that he looked and dressed Native. He could be Cherokee or Cheyenne for all I know.”
“Money is a White Man’s invention that is worth nothing to the Apaches,” Matt looked at Mysti.
“They barter instead. So it is not money, I presume...” I looked to Matt with worry and he nodded,
“Cherokee and Cheyenne have been enemies of the apaches in many occasions...”
“Tell me about it,” I muttered at the memories. “I’m sorry to burden you with so much... It’s just helpful to bounce off ideas and think out loud with others...”
“I would suggest to track this fellow, Trin,” Matt nodded and took a deep breath. “If I could be of assistance, just let me know.”
“Are you sure?” I looked at him with surprise.
“Not a burden at all, Trin,” Mysti smiled at me with warmth. “If there is any way I can help I would be more than glad to.”
“Yes I am sure,” Matt nodded. “Nothing irks me more than a coward trying to take advantage or threatening a lady...”
“Or a coward of any kind who hides behinds something he is not,” Mysti said with anger in her voice.
“Sounds like ya’ll have experience with this kind of treatment yourselves...” I looked between them.
“I cannot speak for Mysti, but for me... I despise those cowards...” Matt nodded and smiled.
Mysti cast her eyes down and said, “Aye Trin, but that for another time perhaps. Your story is more immediate and again I offer my help at any time.”
“Sir maybe you should help me as a detective,” I half joked at him.
Mysti looked at him too and said, “That might be wonderful work for you... A tracker is not far from a detective and you have done tracking. I thought you told us?”
“A cook and a detective,” Matt laughed but turned serious. “Not too fast... But will help you track the fellow, and I promise to keep him alive if I catch him.”
“I need answers more than I need him killed.”
“Yes, I was a tracker for the Buffalo soldiers before I was captured,” Matt nodded to her. “Do not worry, we can make him talk,” Matt took a knife and cut a hang nail with the most casual pose, smiling at me. I blinked at the knife and traced the scar instantly again. Matt looked at me and said,
“You need to face your fears to defeat them...”
“Listen, I have an idea,” Mysti said. “Matty you told us of what you had to go thru to be a man... could you help Trin go through something similar to help her face her fears?”
I swallowed hard, remembering Chief Standing Bear’s words in that cave so long ago and shuddered slightly. His efforts had not helped to remove my fears, but only add to them. “I could help, yes, but she needs to share the story behind these scars...” Matt looked at me and then at my forearm.
“I will help as support in any way I can,” Mysti nodded. “We all have fears and I am still struggling with mine.”
I sighed, knowing I had to tell them the truth and explained, “Part of the bullying that came out of me running for my life... this gang... They had kidnapped a couple of lawmen and put them in a cell in their cave. I found them while going out riding. One of their members was outside but I didn’t know him. He grabbed me and pulled me into the cave with them and the leader was shocked to see me. He told me that in order to let the law go, I had to write in the article that another lawman had started the fire that one of their members had done. I also had to get all the warrants against them burned... Before I was allowed to go... the leader cut this slit in my arm to remind me that he meant business. He threatened me after that constantly, and the group surrounded me when I was in a church with the sheriff. The judge offered to sell me to them to shut them up but they just left. Days later, the leader shot me down. When the law couldn’t have cared less I left town. It took a long time before I was comfortable going in caves or even mines... much less churches after that.”
“My god... shot you down? how did you survive?” Mysti asked with surprise.
“He just left me there, my friend who was the sheriff and the deputy took me to the clinic.”
“Is the judge still alive?” Matt nodded.
“Who knows,” I shrugged. “That same gang though... killed my best friend right in front of me. Shot him point blank. Thank God none of them have followed me here. Except...” I remembered Sniper being apart of that group from time to time but shook my head, “But I doubt he’d remember any of it.”
“Ooh dear God Trin,” Mysti said, “You have been through too much for one person but now I understand why you are such a strong woman... You have already been through your worst fears so facing them in a different way may not be as bad as what you already experienced.”
“How long ago did that happen, Trin?” Matt asked.
“This was all... just months before I heard the news about Father... So I guess 15 or so years ago. But I remember it like it was yesterday.”
“Great emotions do not leave us so easily,” Mysti nodded.
“Small things trigger it back... the sight of a knife, the smell of opium...” I remembered the other day with Jac in the Oriental Saloon and my reaction to smelling his opium.
“Or the sound of the river, the smell of the woods... the smoke of the fire...”
“God, hadn’t even remembered the fires...” I shook my head, remembering then when Chief Standing Bear had gotten the tribe to burn the calvary fort down while I was inside talking to a soldier.
“That is the way with trauma Trin... only way to get that over is to keep going back to the small things and coupling them with good things,” Mysti said.
“I suppose I should head home and get some rest... Thank you both for letting me tell my story and helping me.... I hope we can talk again soon... I just need to lay down.. All these memories are starting to make me a bit dizzy.”
“Very well. Thank you for sharing so much...” Matt nodded. “If I may offer, a ritual that I learned with the tribe was the sweat lodge ceremony.. it is a good cleanser for your spirit...”
“I’m listening,” I nodded.
“Rest well Trin,” Mysti said and offered to help whenever she could.
“You will need fasting,” Matt told me, “And I will guide you. In the meantime, rest well... I will keep an eye for this Sunset person.”
“Thank you both,” I stood.
“That interests me Matty,” Mysti told him.
“Perhaps we can do it together, Mysti,” I suggested. “Safe paths to you both,” I waved and headed down the street towards Bisbee to get some rest.
Tombstone.
This evening I walked into Tombstone and found a big group in front of the clinic, but Pet assured to me that nothing had happened. Sadie told me that Ali had had her baby boy and I smiled at the news, turning back towards Black Diamond.
Black Diamond.
Gabe stood in the street when I arrived to town and I smiled, “Gabe! I hear congratulations are in order!”
“Yes Ma’am!” Gave smiled widely.
“Ali and baby are doing well?”
“Yes, very well. Both fast asleep.”
“Glad to hear it! What’d ya name the little fella?”
“Caleb Patrick.”
“Aww cute name! I’m so happy for you both!”
“Thank you Trin. How are you this evening?”
“It’s been a long day,” I shrugged.
“Sometimes feels like they all are long,” Gabe smirked.
“Guess I’ll just do some writing... maybe that’ll help distract me from the boredom,” I sighed. “Work boredom that is. Life’s been plenty adventurous.”
“Oh it has?” he raised an eyebrow.
I told him about what had been happening and he told me not to go anywhere alone but I said I didn’t really have much choice in that. Bree and Nim came over and we talked about the new baby and Nim made some coffee at the cafe to celebrate. It was the perfect ending to a long, emotional day.
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