Tombstone.
The streets were quiet as I walked through Tombstone. Kris stood in front of the sheriff’s office, but as usual he was unresponsive so I made my way to the hotel and poured myself a cup of coffee. I walked back outside and saw a man I didn’t recognize walk over.
“Morning, Sir. Fine day, ain’t it?” I smiled at him.
“Yes indeed, Miss. How are you today?”
“Doin’ just fine,” I smiled. “You ain’t seen a beaver around, have ya?”
“I aint had much luck talking about beavers,” he shook his head.
“Dang,” I sighed. “My name’s Trin.”
“Name’s David. Mr. David Norwood.”
“David, nice to meet you.”
“Yeah there were some ladies the other night missing their beavers too. Right shame too.”
“I’m trying to help them find it,” I nodded. “Ain’t muh of a case, if you ask me, but it’s somethin’.”
“Ah then you must know Muriel and Cathy?”
“Yep. They told me about it last night at Annie’s.”
“I see... they say anything else?”
“Lot might have it.. ain’t too sure. Haven’t seen him around much, though I haven’t seen many around.”
“I mean to say... never mind,” he shook his head.
“Hmm?” I looked at him.
“Nothin’, miss. I think they was just having fun at my expense,” he said, then whispered, “At least I hope so.”
“What happened?” I asked him, concerned.
“I had offered to help Miss Jenna with errands and such... even gave one of the youngsters a nickel for candy,” he shook his head. “Next thing I knew you’d think I was the worst guy in town. I aint ya’ know. Just tryin’ to be a decent fella.”
“I’m listening.”
“I don’t want to be telling no tales about folks, especially still bein’ new to town.”
“It’s okay, Dave. Sounds like you had a rough night. If you need help, I’m here to listen.”
“Mighty nice of you... Hey you know what I met a lady once back east.. she had a big brown Beaver and use to show it to all her friends...” he thought hard. “What was her name? Hmm... Wynona I think it was her big brown beaver.”
“So you’re from back east?” I chuckled.
“Yeah. Started heading west a few years ago its been so long and I’ve traveled so far I done forgot where I come from.”
“But what happened the other night with Jenna?” I went back to the topic.
“Jenna is a fine lady....I was taking an evening stroll and I offered if she ever needed and errands I shure could use the work.”
“Right... What happened then?” I asked but then could sense that he was now nervous. “It’s okay. You can trust me.”
“Well a few ladies come up and then a few more... Heck I’m not much with the ladies.... I’m for sure a gentleman but I gets real nervous around the pretty ones. And well I think I counted 6 of them ladies around me sayin’ I done said they all belonged in the kitchens,” he looked me straight in the eyes. “But I didn’t say them things.”
“I believe you,” I looked back at him.
“That’s why I think they just havin’ fun at me.”
“I wouldn’t take them too seriously, darlin’. Those women tend to be chatty and go on about stuff that don’t make sense. I bet you they don’t even have a pet beaver and they’re just tryin’ to get Lot arrested.”
“I hope so ‘cause they really seemed nice...” he hesitated, “‘Till they started saying things I ain’t said.”
“Yeah, that’s the thing about folks around here. You gotta be careful who ya trust. But don’t show fear either or they’ll just prey on it.”
“Yeah, I learning that,” he looked down.
“You can trust me though.”
“Pa taught me always think the best of folks and Ma taught me treat a lady right.”
“Nice to hear that,” I smiled. “So how come a gentleman like you ain’t snatched up?”
“I don’t right know... not met the right one I suppose. Had a gal back east.”
“I know how you feel. It’s hard... You don’t wanna give someone your whole self but you don’t wanna be a hermit either...”
“Yeah, hard to trust sometimes.”
“Sure is...” I nodded.
“Like this whole case.... It’s my first case I’ve gotten in weeks but like I said. I doubt Lot even has the danged beaver. I doubt there’s even a beaver to begin with.”
“Well I don’t know about that I do know woman folk do like to have their pet beavers... something about the soft fur.”
I saw Lot walking down the street and asked, “Lot, you busy?”
David turned to face the man, “Howdy Sir,” he said and looked to me.
I looked at him as Lot stayed silent and said, “Perhaps he’s contemplating something.”
“I do believe so... or maybe he sick?” David suggested.
“I’m just wondering who to shoot first,” Lot looked between us.
“I didn’t do it,” I told him.
“I vote neither,” David put in. “I just said howdy. Man get shot in this town for saying hello.”
“Lot what do you know about this beaver nonsense?” I looked at him.
“I know beavers ain’t native to Arizona.”
“That was my first thought too,” I nodded to him.
“What did you do now, Lot?” Kris asked from where he stood in front of the sheriff’s office.
“Makes no sense to have a beaver out here, does it?” I asked.
“Woman folk makes pets of them I heard,” David shook his head.
“You hear anything about Muriel or Cathy’s beaver, Kris?” I looked at him.
“They accusing Sniper and TJ of stealing their cherries again?” he sighed.
“Is that a euphemism?” I looked at him.
“Yup, just the same as Muriel’s Beaver,” Lot said.
“No, it’s a stupid thing the doves do,” Kris said.
“So the first case I get in weeks ain’t even a case?” I looked at David. “I told you.”
“They are messing with you,” Kris nodded.
“Well maybe I can hire you to find something that is really lost,” Lot said.
“Figured as much,” I nodded to Kris and looked at Lot. “What’s that, Lot?”
“The Sanity of the Doves,” he said and I chuckled a bit.
“Told ya not to take anything those ladies say at face value, David,” I told him.
“Yes, Miss Trin,” David looked about and saw the clock down at the end of the street. “Gosh, it’s a getting late.”
“So I should tell them that I found their beaver, it was behind the bar the whole time?” I winked at Lot and David nodded. “Fastest case solving in the west,” I muttered.
“Tell ‘em their beavers are under their skirts and charge ‘em double,” Kris said. “Say you had expenses.”
“Mmhmm,” I nodded. “I’ll ask for double shot of whiskey next time.”
“Excuse me, Miss Trin... I best be going but wanted to ask you something of a personal nature.”
“Yes, David?” I looked at him curiously.
“Well in celebration of your successful case I’d like to buy you a drink maybe take ya’ dancing... if you ain’t got a fella that is?”
“Ya can’t,” Lot said and I chuckled at that.
“Why not? If she ain’t got a fella?” David looked at him.
“Well maybe sometime,” I smiled, looking over at Lot, “Unless Lot wanted to take me out for a drink.”
“Take a hint,” Lot narrowed his eyes and his hands rested on his guns.
I looked at David and whispered, “We’ll catch up later,” I said and looked at Lot, confused.
David’s fists clenched and Ella walked over, greeting us. I looked over at him and asked, “You living in town, David?”
“Yes ma’am, right here at the Russ.”
“Oh good, nice and close to the undertakers,” Lot said.
“I’m sure I’ll see you around then,” I smiled at him, trying to put him at ease.
“They won’t have far to take yer belongings,” Lot joked and I shook my head at that.
David’s hand inched closer to his gun and Kris turned towards the group more. Lot had a twisted grin on his face and I looked between the men.
“Alright, there’s plenty of me to go around. Ya’ll don’t have to get so testosterony.”
“Lot, ain’t ya married to Ivy?” Kris asked.
“Indeed I am,” Lot nodded.
“Mr. Lot I might be new around this town but you should know I ain’t no push over,” David told him.
“Like I care about how you feel about yerself nucklehead,” Lot said and placed his hand firmly on the butt of his gun.
“Now come on, Lot...” I sighed.
“Sir, don’t,” Kris warned as David stepped closer to Lot and looked him square in the eye.
“Don’t think Miss Ivy would so much like it if you were fightin’ over some other woman,” I said.
“Sir, I ain’t want no trouble,” David said as Ella backed behind Kris.
“Who says I’m fighting over a woman?” Lot looked at me as Kris clicked his hammers back, ready to pull and shoot if needed. “We ain’t even fighting.”
I looked around at the boys’ hands on their guns and sighed.
“Yeah, we just coming to an understanding,” David told me.
“Well whatever works for you boys...” I shook my head.
David moved his hand from his gun and reached it out to Lot. Lot kept his arms crossed and continued to stare at him. “Good to see there ain’t no pansies out west.”
“Too hot for ‘em to grow,” Lot said and I chuckled a bit at that.
David opened his hand offering a handshake. Lot just looked at him and didn’t respond. David withdrew his hand and stared back at Lot. “Very well then.” He looked at me and said, “Some fellas just ain’t got smarts or manners.”
“I have both, just don’t trust green horns with big mouths,” Lot argued and I hid a smirk, officially amused. David stepped closer to him and Lot stood his ground. “You must have a death wish mister.”
“Lot has a point...” Kris started.
“David... Just walk away... Don’t let this get violent,” I looked at him.
“This ain’t done,” David said and walked closer, whispering something to Lot.
“Dude... walk away,” Kris advised.
“I don’t even know yer a man. From what I seen yer all piss and wind,” Lot said.
“You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today,” David said.
“Dude listen. Walk away,” Kris said. “It ain’t smart to act tough when people are willing to shoot you.”
“I see yer lips move but all I hear is blah, blah, blah,” Lot said to David.
I put a hand on David’s shoulder and said, “We’ll spend some time later, okay? I’ll find you at the hotel.”
“Then you must not of had a bath in a while,” David said.
“Believe me, no matter how tough you are in Tombstone... There is someone with a lot more experience and they are gonna have a whole county back ‘em up if a greenhorn starts shit with ‘em,” Kris told him.
“See, ya cant even hold a train of thought,” Lot shook his head.
“Tombstone looks after their own,” Kris said.
“If yer lookin to insult me, you have to try a lot harder than that,” Lot told him.
“Hell were the only ones allowed to shoot each other,” Kris said, and I couldn’t help but wonder why Kris was defending a known outlaw gang boss, but I didn’t voice the question.
David looked to the clock again and then Lot started whistling Dixie and David said, “I like your spirit.”
At the sound of that song, my face went white like a ghost and I reached for the sign to hold onto for support. They continued to banter back and forth and I tried to tell myself to get a grip. The men kept talking back and forth and I realized that none of them cared that I looked as white as a ghost. Men, I sighed. I had a feeling that if I walked away, no one would notie and debated it as David tried to convince Lot to get a drink with him at Annie’s.
I shook my head at David, looking over to Lot. “Thanks for clearing up the thing about the beaver,” I said and started to walk away as David talked about having to go feed his pet snake, hardly noticing me anymore as suspected.
***
Black Diamond.
After a long time away from Black Diamond, I walked into the saloon for the weekly dance. It had been hard to stay away from this little town that had felt like home for so long. The saloon was packed and I headed over to the bar where a couple was bantering back and forth.
I greeted everyone there and saw many familiar faces. Most interestingly though was that Jack and Sommer were dancing together, as were Mac McLeary and some woman I didn’t know. While sitting at the bar with Sniper and Christopher while others talked around us, we heard two women getting into a fight and then a woman named Rose tried to break it up but got hurt in the process. Cher’s dress got ruined and then Rose got hit in the eye. Rose walked around to the bar while the others left the saloon ad Chris gave her some ice.
After the fight died down, Chris and Kate continued to banter behind the bar. Chris explained that they were divorced and I wondered how they could so easily work together after splitting up.
“Kate, didn’t we used to have drapes like your dress?? A roomful?” Chris chuckled after a while.
Kate spun around and locked her eyes on his. It almost looked like there were flames behind her eyes. “DRAPES! How dare you say this fancy imported Dress form New York Is made form Drapes! Goes to show you what low class taste you have.”
“Imported? Prolly more like stolen,” Chris shrugged. Kate moved up closer to him and he said, “And I married you. Remember that Dear... I should get hazard pay for working with you!”
Kate moved up close to him and lifted a foot and slammed it down on Chris’, making him scream in pain.
“You two stop that and get to serving your customers!” Rose called from the other side of the saloon.
“Yeah Kate!” Chris looked at her. “She started it!”
I leaned my elbows on the bar counter and stared blankly at my drink. “Something wrong with your coffee Trin?” Chris asked, hopping on one foot.
“No... not with my coffee... with...” I sighed, not wanting to finish the sentence out loud.
“SERVES YOU RIGHT CHRIS! MY DRESS IS NOT SOME CURTAIN I TOOK OF A WINDOW!” Kate yelled, angry.
“It was a compliment. I LOVED those drapes!” Chris defended himself then looked back at me. “You were saying?”
“Just feel like it’s all so...” I shook my head, unable to even think straight anymore.
“So...?”
“I haven’t had a case in over a month... The man I loved left me ‘cause I fell too hard for him too fast. So here I sit.. without love and without anything like work to distract me from it,” I finally told him as I noticed Peta, Nora and the kids come into the saloon.
“Oh come on... Love and work are both... well... a lot of work!” Chris chuckled.
“At least work gives me somethin’ to do... When I get it... Just thought I got a case last night about a beaver then found out it was a bloody innuendo,” I muttered.
“Well you should appreciate not havin’ work, Trin. It gives you time to be lazy,” Peta put in.
“I don’t wanna be lazy anymore, Peta,” I sighed, sipping my coffee and looking down at the counter. “I feel like I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
Chris looked at me and whispered, “It’s on the house. I snatched some cash from Kate’s tip jr. Shhh.”
I smiled a bit at that and sat quietly as the conversation continued around me. Eventually I looked at him, considering a third drink, but maybe this one should be different. “Chris... Maybe just whiskey this time.”
“How about just a coffee, Miss Trin?”
“But...” I looked at him.
“Trust me,” he smiled.
“Fine,” I sighed a bit, but knew he was probably right. He poured the fresh coffee and added some honey and vanilla and set it down for me. I took a sip of it and locked my eyes with him. “How’d you get to be so smart?”
“Experience with people’s moods hun,” he shrugged.
“I just need somethin... good to happen,” I looked at him.
“I understand Trin. I do to. You have to not let the world get to you.”
“Kinda hard when it feels like the world’s forgotten about you.”
“Trin, you owe me $200,” Sniper told me then.
“Whatever for?” I looked at him.
“Tax.”
“Tax?”
“Yup.”
“Tax on what?”
“Tax on speaking to me.”
I rolled my eyes and joked, “I’ll give ya tax but it ain’t gonna be in money form.”
“I give you the asshole discount, and you owe me nothing,” he winked and I smirked a bit at that.
I drank more of the coffee and looked at Chris, “This is really good. What’d you put in it that’s different?”
“I have no idea...” he chuckled.
“It tastes ... honey... and... vanilla?” I guessed.
“You got me. It’s my mom’s recipe, rest her soul.”
“It tastes fantastic,” I smiled.
“Good, huh?”
“Mmhmm,” I nodded to him.
Mac walked over then I asked, “Mac, how’s that boy Duke?”
“Gettin’ old,” he said.
“Ain’t we all,” I chuckled.
“And his wife Lilly didn’t die yet.”
“The woman you were dancin’ with?”
“Ya.”
“Ah.”
“That’s his sister,” Sniper explained.
“Been a while, Mac.”
“That it has.”
“Anythin’ exciting going on with you?”
“What can ya get for $5?” he asked.
“Me? Oh, I’m all drinked out I think... Sweet offer though,” I smiled at him.
“Hmm... What ls?”
“Maybe a quick dance?”
“Anything better?”
We bantered back and forth between the three of us and then I leaned over close to Sniper teasingly. He smiled and then Mac grumbled about the coo coo clock. He started to argue about it while I continued to flirt with Sniper and then Mac asked me to dance. We danced and I greeted Bill and April, who said that it was good to see me back in Diamond.
When I was too exhausted to stay on my feet, I said goodnight to everyone and headed back to Allen Street.
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