Bisbee.
This morning I received a telegram from Bill that I was needed in Diamond to solve a bank robbery case. On the way there, I ran into Pet and another woman talking about the upcoming tea social. The woman introduced herself as Ada and I talked with them before heading into Diamond.
Diamond.
I walked into the courthouse in Diamond and went upstairs to Bill’s office. I knocked on his door and he invited me in. I walked in and said, “Good morning, Bill. I received a telegram from you about a hold up yesterday?”
“Detective, please have a seat.”
“I’m listening,” I nodded, taking a seat across from him.
“Our bank was robbed yesterday about 2 or 3pm.”
“Really. Who was the teller?”
“They held the teller at gunpoint.”
“Do we know any names of who was involved?” I asked again.
“He wouldn’t open the safe so they blasted it open. The teller suffered a concussion with memory loss, according to Doc Jess.”
I nodded, knowing this would make things difficult. “Who was the teller?” I asked, writing Jess’ name down.
“My brother Thad was on duty at the time,” Bill answered.
“Oh no,” I shook my head.
“I was wondering why he was so quiet at the dance last night...” I said and he nodded. “Any other witnesses? I’m assuming not...?”
“He had blood in his ears. There was no law in town at the time.”
“You have a sheriff now though, right? It’s been so long I’m not sure I’m up to date on personnel...”
“What’s strange...”
“Yes? What’s strange?”
“Is they left $10 in the vault and $20 in the register. Like they were rushed.”
“How much was taken?”
“$210.”
I shook my head at the number and asked, “Why not just take the last $30 if you’ve taken that much already.. Doesn’t make sense.”
“Indeed.”
“I will look into this matter, Bill. I will help you find the truth,” I smiled. “Where is Thad staying now? Still at your home?”
“The citizens would appreciate and monies recovered. The loss is split between all depositors since it’s not insured.”
“I’m sure they will. I will do my best. Who is your acting sheriff and deputy right now?”
“Sheriff TJ.”
“Fantastic. He’s a good man. Any deputies?”
“His deputies are... well... there’s a high turnover. Finding good help... I don’t envy the man.”
“Alright, I’ll get to work. Thank you Bill, it’s nice to be back,” I chuckled and stood. “Thank you sir.”
There was a knock on the door then and a man walked into the office. “Ah... Deputy Dev,” Bill greeted him.
I looked at the man and remembered him from when we’d met at the entrance to Diamond. “Devin, good to see you again.”
“Thought I check in and heard a voice,” he smiled. “Nice to see you again Miss Trin.”
“The mayor was just informing me of the bank hold up yesterday. I’d like to help solve it.”
“Mmhmm, yes,” Devin nodded.
“Perhaps you two could help each other in the case,” Bill suggested.
“Good idea,” he nodded.
“Shall we go somewhere and discuss, Deputy?” I nodded in agreement and smiled to the deputy.
“Certainly, Miss Trin,” Devin smiled.
“We’ll keep you posted, Mayor,” I smiled at Bill and led the way out of the office. Thad was sitting in a couch in the lobby and I greeted him, “Thad, how are you doing, Sir?”
“Hi Thad! How you feeling?” Devin asked him.
“Um... Who are you?” Thad asked.
“Thad, I’m Trin Paige... This here is Deputy Devin,” I reminded him.
“Thad... I don’t know him...” Thad said.
“He really doesn’t remember a thing, does he?” I looked at Devin.
“No... I sorry...” Thad shook his head.
“Perhaps we should take a walk?” I suggested to Devin.
“Yes. Sheriff’s office,” he nodded and we walked downstairs and out across the street to the sheriff’s office. “Please have a seat Miss Trin.”
“So Bill has informed me of the details you know so far...”
“This the first I heard of the robbery.”
“Is it... Let me fill you in then.”
“Thank you,” he nodded.
“The bank was robbed yesterday around 2 or 3 pm. They held Thad at gunpoint. He wouldn’t open the safe so they blasted it open... Thad suffered a concussion with obvious memory loss.”
“Damn,” he shook his head.
“Doc Jess was the one who treated Thad... I intend to talk to her next. He had blood in his ears and I guess there was no law around at the time of the robbery. Here’s the interesting part though... $210 was stolen... But they left behind $10 in the vault and $20 in the register. Bill suggests that perhaps they were rushed.”
“Any witnesses?”
“He didn’t mention any but I bet if we asked around town we might find someone who knows something.”
“Right.”
“I have some connections on the other side of the fence, as it were. Perhaps one of them could inform me if it involves getting against another gang member...”
“Thad is like a grandfather to me. Makes me very angry.”
“I’ve known Thad a long time as well,” I nodded. “We will get to the bottom of this, Devin.”
“He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” he said and I could see tears welling up.
“Hey...” I reached over and put a hand on his wrist. “We will figure this out together.”
“Yeah,” he turned his face.
“You’re not alone anymore. I’m here to help.”
“I”ll let Sera know too,” he nodded.
“So let’s figure this out. Where should we start... Perhaps you could let her know these details and talk to Jessica... I will start asking around town and see if we can track down any witnesses.”
“Good idea, Trin,” he nodded. “You’re a smart lady, Detective.”
“Let’s get to work, shall we?” I patted his arm.
“Yes.”
I walked outside while he continued reviewing his notes and saw a man walking over that I didn’t recognize. I greeted him and after he spoke in Apache I asked, “Don’t suppose you were in town yesterday afternoon, were ya?”
“I can understand you I was raised by white folks for long enough until I was seen as an embarrassment,” he folded his arms. “And yes I did pass through town yesterday.”
“You didn’t perchance witness anything that happened at the bank, did you?”
He looked to the ground and then back at me. “I have seen nothing and to be honest you are the first person in this town I have truly spoken to.”
“Alright. Well I won’t keep you then. Hope you have a good day, Sir.”
“I doubt it I can find nobody from my tribe to accept me and no white,” he gave a hollow laugh, “but I will get by. Hok’ee is my name.”
“Hok’ee... It’s good to meet you,” I smiled.
“And yourself?”
“Detective Trin Paige.”
“Well good luck on your venture, I my self must seek employment,” he looked around. “But then who will employ a half breed.”
“Well... good luck!”
I walked around town and noticed a group of people standing with Devin in the sheriff’s office. Going inside I recognized Loreh and Thad and Pet talking with Devin.
“He must be in danger if its for his own good otherwise you’d take him home.. someone must be after him.. who on earth would be after Thad?” Loreh was saying.
“Thad was in an explosion yesterday and don’t know who he is that the short of it,” Devin explained.
“Loreh were you around yesterday?” I asked her.
“Well Trin, was in my shop and at the ball but no where else.”
“Ah so you didn’t hear nothin about this.”
“There was a lot of ruckus though, a fight.”
“Oh yeah? You heard it?”
“I didn’t hear any explosion at all.”
“What was the ruckus you heard?”
“I’m sure if dynamite was used, half the town would be gone. Well...” she thought a moment. “I was deep in conversation with Mr. Geary at the ball.. but there was some fight that took place between someone named Rose and um.. good lord I cant think of the other two’s name..”
“Oh right yes the fight between the woman. Don’t know if that could have been related,” I looked at Devin.
“Naw, I saw that. Not related.”
“There was an incident in the afternoon though...” Loreh started.
“There was?”
“I hear gun fire but no explosion,” she said.
“Gunfire?”
“Yes... I didn’t want to go outside, just to stay safe and all.. I hear some shouting too.. it sounded like Jack and Sommer.. can’t really be sure though. Can’t hear all that well with the noise in the saloon and all.”
“Jack and Sommer... Uh oh...” I shook my head. “I’ll try to talk to them and see what I can find out.”
“Might want to do that coz the gunfire happened while they were shouting,” Loreh told me. “So... You think that has something to do with Thad?”
“Jack and Sommer fighting? I have no idea,” I admitted. “But it’s an angle worth investigating.”
“No, they weren’t fighting. It was like they were in different places you know.. communicating.”
“A heated discussion as it were. But you said you heard gunfire?”
“Hold up... The dance was at seven, the bank was robbed around two?”
“Yeah it was, Devin,” I nodded. “Around two or three in the afternoon.”
“No, not heated.. but they couldn’t communicate without raising their voices, like they were on either end of the street,” Loreh said.
“So the two are not related,” Devin shook his head.
“Can’t be,” I shook my head.
“Oh!” Loreh exclaimed then. “At the ball dance, I remember Jack saying he found some money!”
“When was that shouting with Jack and Sommer, Loreh?” I asked her.
“It was in the afternoon sometime Trin.. Chris was there bartending.”
“That was more like 7:30 or so.”
“Between Jack and Sommer... in the afternoon... when the bank was robbed...” I looked at him. “I think I need to ride out to Benson.”
“You be careful Miss Trin,” Devin nodded.
“Will keep ya’ll posted,” I said and headed out.
Benson.
I rode over to Jack’s place and hesitated, suddenly unsure if this was such a good idea. It wasn’t like he would tell her the truth if he had been involved in the incident. I could feel Watson shifting on his hooves and I pet him, trying to calm down.
The door opened and Jack and Sommer walked outside. “Hey Detective, come on over,” he greeted me.
“Howdy you two... I don’t mean to bug you.”
“Come on in,” Jack smiled.
“I just wanted to make sure you were alright,” I shook my head.
Sommer announced that she was going to Pearce and when she had left I looked back at Jack and he grinned, “How can I help ya? You need me to kill someone?”
“I just wanted to make sure you were alright... Heard about some ruckus in Diamond and I heard you might be caught up in somethin’... Wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Well I’m fit as a fiddle. What did you hear?”
“Just about some shouting between you and Sommer... something about a gunfight.”
“No, no, we kiss. We don’t fight,” he frowned. “Must be some other Jack. I would never fight Miss Sommer.”
“So nothing happened in Diamond?” I looked him in the eye.
“Well not to me. I don’t even have a scratch. What you talking about?”
“But... something did happen then?”
“Oh. I did get arrested.”
“You did?”
“He had my friend Dash locked up and insulted me when I came to visit. So, I took on all the law by my lonseome. But I swear they drew first.”
“What’d Dash get arrested for? When’d this happen? And what law?”
“Two days ago.”
“So not yesterday,” I looked down.
“Well Devin I shot him, and Sera I shot her, and TJ I nicked him.”
“Jack, were you in Diamond yesterday?”
“I was, yes. Twice. Once for the dance...”
“Did you maybe see who robbed the bank and left Thad with a concussion?” I asked him straight.
“I can’t say I saw anyone else do it, no,” he said and I looked at him, seeing that he said ‘anyone else’, meaning it still could have been him.
“So you didn’t see anyone else rob the bank... That’s what you’re tellin’ me?”
“No ma’am,” he said with his hand behind his back.
“Jack you wouldn’t lie to me, would you?” I asked.
“Okay I got to get to Pearce. Is that all?”
“I guess so,” I sighed.
“Well you have a great day.”
“Yeah,” I said, watching him leave.
Diamond.
I rode back to Diamond and headed for the sheriff’s office. Thad and Devin were talking and I heard Devin say, “You go on now and take care of yourself and rest ... and I write this report out.”
“If you can, don’t stay by dynamite when it goes off,” Thad advised.
“I remember that,” Devin nodded. “Welcome back, Miss Trin.”
“Glad to be back safe,” I gave him a knowing look then turned to Thad. “Thad, how are you feeling?”
“Better, but a headache and my ear still hurts.”
“I’ll bet. I’ve been apart of a few dynamite blasts in my day,” I nodded, remembering. “So I just went over to Benson and talked with Jack... I’m pretty convinced he was involved in this whole thing. Thad, how’s that memory of yours?”
“Snake pie... You like snake pie?” Thad asked.
“I don’t like anything with the word ‘snake’ in it,” I looked at him, confused.
“Oh, that’s Trin,” he giggled.
“Mmhmm, that’s me,” I smiled at him. “Good to have you back.”
‘You take care now and rest a lot Thad,” Devin said to him.
“Thad, do you know who did this to you?” I asked.
“I got it all here, Miss Trin,” Devin nodded.
“Oh, Jack Smith and Sommer. I better go,” Thad said and walked out of the office.
“That lying son of a...” I shook my head, wanting to shoot something. I started to pace the office as Devin worked on the report and then said, “I need a drink. You got a full report out of Thad? His memory came back?”
“Yep. Have to wait on TJ though,” Devin stood.
“It was for sure Jack and Sommer?” I looked at him.
“Surely was,” he nodded.
“Don’t much need me then, do ya?” I sighed.
“Well, why not go to the saloon? Been a long afternoon.”
“You joinin’ me?”
“You betcha.”
“Good answer,” I winked and led the way to the saloon. We both sat at the counter and I looked over at him. “Which one of us is playin’ bartender?”
“I’ll get it. What ya wanting? Coffee?”
“If ya add some whiskey with it, sure,” I winked.
“Comin’ up,” he laughed.
“Man... we should work together more often. Wish all cases could be solved in a day,” I said as he grabbed two cups and poured the whiskey and coffee into one for me and took some coffee for himself.
“There ya go,” he handed me the mug.
I took a sip and said, “Tastes fantastic.”
“Thad makes the best coffee in the world,” he said, sitting back down beside me.
“So now we wait for the sheriff to come to town and then we can give hihm the report? Then ya’ll can arrest Jack and Sommer when they show up in town?”
“Yep. Or any law person in any town that finds them.”
“Amazing when the system works, huh?” I winked at him.
“Yep,” he smiled. “I prefer to catch em though. Angers me that they treat Thad in such a way.”
“I know... He seems to end up the victim quite a bit ‘round here,” I nodded.
“To treat him like less than an animal blow him up shakes my head.”
“It’s relentless. But now you know who did it.”
“Never thought of Sommer as being so heartless,” he said and I muttered something under my breath but he asked, “What, Trin?’
“Nothin’. Just don’t trust the woman,” I shook my head.
“Oh yeah, never have... I can’t speak for the Mayor here. He did say he wants 24/7 on duty.”
“Did he...”
“If you’re interested.”
“Me?” I looked at him.
“You could always ask,” he nodded. “Em, she a deputy but not around much.”
I shook my head, having a bad flashback to the meeting in the sheriff’s office where I’d been fired because Bill had hired me instead of the sheriff himself. “Nah, I’m a detective, not a deputy. I’ve tried that job but I have found my calling as a detective.”
“Well, it do pay some...”
“Trust me, I remember...”
“Alright.”
“But it ain’t worth goin’ against who I am.”
“Were you a deputy before?”
“Over in Bisbee for a while. I miss it sometimes but... I ain’t good at the arrestin’ and shootin’ part. I investigate the truth, the story. I help solve puzzles. Not that it pays anything...”
“That part I ain’t much good at, really.”
“Well then maybe we’ll make a good team.”
“Even with my guns I’m pretty green. Shot down one, but get shot down a lot.”
“I know those odds...” I nodded.
“Now Dash? That a man you can talk to sometimes. Most of the rest...”
“A very interesting man,” I nodded.
“Yeah. But Sniper and the rest.. most ant fighting, and they awfully fast.”
“Mmhmm,” I nodded.
“I still new. Maybe that’s why.”
“Give yourself some time, Devin. You’ll get better. I did. It’s just not the life for me. I want to find the truth and the story without just pullin’ my guns.”
“I respect that, Miss Trin,” he nodded. “Still, it’s an honor to work with you considering our first meeting some weeks back,” he laughed.
“Well if you’ve ever got a puzzle you know you can count on me to help ya figure out who dun it,” I winked.
“I surely do appreciate that. Everyone here will... we need your help. W all do.”
“Nice to hear that after a month of not hearing a darn word and feeling like I was starting to be not needed.”
“Not true at all. Just hadn’t seen ya.”
“Things are turnin’ around then,” I looked into his eyes.
“The first time you looked at me it was like... I dun’no .. felt like you memorizing every part of my face like a common thief,” he laughed some more.
“Nah... that’s what I do when I meet someone. I remember their features... It’s my job to remember everything about everyone I meet. Good or bad,” I winked. “And should the event occur that we actually get to hold court... Well... that information gets helpful.”
“Yeah. Not too happy with my features really,” he pushed up his chin.
“Aw darlin’ your features are just fine.”
“It getting close to Christmas... People settling down a bit,” he said after some silence.
“Yeah I guess... I probably should be heading home... Thank you for the drink, Deputy,” I smiled, standing.
“Alrighty then. You take care, Miss Trin.”
“Same to you. I have an office over on Allen Street if ya ever need me,” I smiled. “But I’ll be in town more, I’m sure. Have a good night, Devin,” I said and headed out of the saloon.
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