Black Diamond.
I rode into Diamond this morning and saw the calvary on their payroll outing. I decided to stand by and make sure everything ran smoothly. “Morning ya’ll. How are things today?”
“Good so far,” Suzy said.”
‘Glad to hear it.”
“I am ready, General,” Angeles said.
“Krell, good to see you again,” I said as he walked out of the bank with his banker.
“Okay let’s go to Goldfield,” Suzy ordered.
“Morning Trin, good to see you as well,” Krell smiled.
Angeles waved at me as she rode past and I waved back. I saw another woman standing nearby wearing a badge. “Don’t think I’ve met you yet, ma’am.”
Krell and the banker discussed the door locks and made sure everything was secure. They continued to talk and I looked between them, not being introduced to either the banker or the deputy.
“Howdy detective,” the deputy finally said.
“Detective Trin Paige,” I nodded to her.
“What brings you to Black Diamond? You work for Well’s Fargo?” the deputy asked.
I looked at Krell and shook the deputy’s hand. “I help out where I can.... Solve cases with local law around. Just seeing if things are in order around here.”
“Ship shape,” the banker blurted out.
“Okay glad somebody is on my side,” Desi said. “Beside the mayor here.”
“Well you know I promised you a desk in this here town,” Krell smiled.
“Mmhmm. Is why I’m here,” I nodded. “Wanted to make sure everything was okay with the payroll.” I watched the banker lock up the doors solidly and smiled, “Got yourself a good banker here, Krell.”
“Good work, Payden,” Krell said and I took in the man’s name.
“That’s done. Drinks on me,” Desi said.
“Drinks? Someone say drink?” I perked.
“Care to join me?” she asked.
“Would love to. Krell? Join us?”
“Well, I don’t rightly drink much, but I would be happy to sit with you all for a bit,” Krell said.
We headed to the saloon and got ourselves some drinks and Bree joined us at the saloon. “Lisa drew her guns on me yesterday,” Desi said after a while.
“Oh did she?” I looked at her curiously.
“Can I see it Desi?” Krell asked.
“I was unarmed at the time.”
“Where did she draw them?”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Down the street,” she said.
“In Diamond... Desi could arrest her for unholstered weapons,” I looked at Krell.
“Was questioning her boyfriend,” Desi said. “She is also trigger happy too.”
“So Deputy, are you a gonna show us the drawing or not?” Krell asked.
“I’m pressing charges on her. Got seven counts,” Desi said.
“Wow she must be a really bad artist,” Krell said.
“Not an artist,” Desi shook her head.
“Wow I should have two warrants out on her and TJ,” Bree said.
“Maybe we ask her to take an art class instead of hanging her?” Krell suggested.
“Warrants? For what?” Krell asked.
“Read my report Mayor,” Desi said and handed it to him.
“Threats to my life and... well... is all a mess,” Bree sighed.
“I’m gonna take a ride and make sure the rest of payroll goes alright,” I said then and waved as I headed out.
Pearce.
I stopped in Pearce seeing Alex with Sam and Ada in an alley. “Alex, Sam! Everything alright?”
Alex wrapped his arms around the girl and helped her to the clinic. “Ada’s been shot.”
I dismounted my horse and followed them into the clinic where Alex began to work on her. “What happened?”
Alex took out a bottle of laudenum and said, “Here, you might want some of this to ease the pain. I’m going to wash up first while it takes affect.”
“Did they get him?” Ada smiled at Sam.
Alex rolled up his sleeves and scrubbed his hands as Ada took the laudenum and asked, “How much?”
“Take two big sips,” he said and took off his hat, sliding his glasses over his nose. Ada took another swig and I sat down, waiting for the story to come out and watching Alex at work. Alex carefully removed the bandage and examined the wound and pulled aside her skirt to look on her hip. “This one’s not too bad. You were right, just grazed. The other is going to hurt a bit more. The bullet’s still in it,” he said. He took a clean cloth and soaked it in whiskey and then began to clean the wound on her arm. He took out a pair of tweezers and then pulled off his belt, handing it to Ada. “You might want to bite down on this.” She did so and he used the tweezers to get the bullet out of the wound as the metal clinked on metal. “That’s it. I think I got it,” he said, grasping the bullet and pulling it out.
“You doing okay, Ada?”
She nodded slowly and used her good hand to remove the belt. “I’m still here,” she smiled weakly.
“Good,” Alex nodded. “You’ll be okay.”
“I got a good doc - thanks Alex.”
Alex took out a curved needle and a silk thread. He pulled the edges of the wound together and stitched them closed. “You’re lucky it didn’t break your arm. No major artery damage either.”
She looked across at Sam and asked, “Everyone else ok Sam?”
“Yes.”
Alex washed the wound again and took out a small envelope of brown powder, sprinkling it over the stitches. “This should take out a little more of the sting.”
“What happened back there, Sam?” I asked then.
“I guess when I came they were tryin’ to rob the bank, or I mean the payroll.”
“Who?”
Ada lay back, looking up at the ceiling. “Jack, even with his mask on I recognised his horse.”
Alex gently wrapped her arm in a linen bandage and tied it off and then lay her arm carefully across her chest. “This is going to be really sore for a few days. You won’t want to use it much.” He turned to me and said, “I saw him too. Rode right past my house without his mask up. I saw him through the window.”
“Anyone with him? Did they catch him?” I asked.
“Good job I don’t have to teach until next week,” Ada said.
“I only saw Jack. I didn’t see him do it, but I can place him in the area,” Alex told me.
“No, he rode off before I got to him,” Sam said.
Alex began to clean the wound on her hip and I said, “Good enough for me. So they could get him for attempted bank robbery... Or was he successful?”
“I heard shots and went to see what was going on. I drew my guns, but I wanted to be sure who I was shooting at. Jack came around the side of the building and opened up. I don’t think I got a shot off,” Ada told me.
“I guess he didn’t get a coin. Not one,” sam said.
Alex began to carefully stitch the wound closed and Ada said, “I think the payroll is ok. He was too busy shooting me. Someone told him I was looking for him I guess.”
“Guess so... someone told him he was on the bounty list huh...”
“He didn’t tell me that,” sam said.
“Yeah, maybe the new deputy in Black Diamond, or the Mayors wife, I was talking to them both,” Ada nodded.
“Well I think I’ve got all I need... Gonna head on and let Alex finish up. Lucky you were in the area,” I smiled at Alex and he nodded to me with a smile. “Not sure how I feel about that deputy yet. She seemed awfully skeptical of me at first and I’m a detective. Asked me what I was doin’ in Diamond.”
“Oh she just doesn’t know you yet, Trin,” Bree said from where she had joined us in the clinic.
“As if she didn’t know I’ve got jurisdiction everywhere,” I shrugged.
Ada nodded. “She wasn’t too helpful to me either, but I know bounty hunters aren’t real popular.”
“Maybe she doesn’t,” Bree said.
“No reason they shouldn’t be, Ada... And any deputy worth their salt should know what Detectives do these days. But time will tell I guess,” I nodded.
“She is a tough one, I admit,” Bree agreed.
Alex put a few pills in a small envelope and tucked them in the end and handed it to Ada. “These will help with the pain. Take one whenever it gets too unbearable.”
“I don’t like being sized up by the law. I’m here to help them,” I shrugged. “Gonna head onward. See ya’ll later.”
“I don’t think I like the idea of it getting unbearable Alex. But I guess it comes with the territory,” Ada said.
“Keep the bandages clean and dry. If the wounds start to get really red or smell funny, get a doctor to look at the immediately. I’ll give you some balm to put on them in a few days - the stitches my feel a little itchy,” Alex was saying as I headed out of the clinic.
Black Diamond.
This afternoon I received a telegram from Jimmi asking for me to investigate the jury members from yesterday’s trial. There was suspicion that one of them, particularly Sam, might have been related to the defendant. If it were true, then he would be removed from all trials involving her in the future.
“Howdy ma’am,” Bob greeted me as I walked in and sat at the counter in the saloon.
“Hi there,” I smiled at him.
“Can I get ya anything?”
“I’d love a coffee and whiskey if I could?”
“Ah the usual.”
“Why mess with tradition, right,” I winked at him as he went to work on the drink. “How are you doini’ today?”
He chuckled gleefully, “Oh fine! Fine...just fine...mmhmm...”
I looked at him with an amused look. “What’s her name?”
He blushed a bit and then said, “It’s Lady Gigi, the head dancer lady here...took a real shine to her.”
“I’ve known her a long time,” I smiled.
“She’s a fine fine lady indeed...think I’ve fallen for her hard,” he said and handed me the drink. “How you doin’?”
“I’m finally workin’... Waiting for someone to get here I have to talk with. Haven’t had an actual case for ages.”
“Excitin’ ya got yerself a case...anything juicy?”
“Could be... Just hoping he shows up but we can’t let him know it’s a case. I hope to get the information out of him casually.”
“Well I’ll keep my lips sealed then. I hope alls works out fine,” he polished his bottle sighing happily.
“Had an interesting trial yesterday... Jewel James for arson at the courthouse. Was voted not guilty.” I turned and saw Sam walk in. “Sam, glad you could make it.”
“Howdy sir, what can I fill ya with?” Bob asked Sam.
“Whiskey,” Sam nodded.
“Have a seat, Sam,” I smiled but he stayed standing.
“Right away,” Bob smiled and poured a whiskey, sliding it over.
“So was quite the trial yesterday, eh?” I asked as Desi walked into the saloon.
“Yes,” Sam nodded.
“Howdy. Seems we never met,” Desi said to Sam.
“Didn’t recognize the other folks on the jury... Did you know them from anywhere?” I asked Sam.
“Most of them I know,” he nodded.
“I’m Deputy Sheriff Desi McKeenan,” Desi said.
“No never met,” Sam said to her.
“Who were they?” I asked about the jury members, trying to help Sam focus though Desi seemed
insistent on interrupting.
“The one behind you was Red, he’s my youngest.”
“Your youngest?” I perked at that.
“Yes. The one next to him was Enoch. Good friend of mine. Lucas is the middle son and Shannon is the oldest,” he said about his other sons. “Then there’s Mark and Luke, Lucas’ sons.”
“Kind of surprised they all said not guilty... Seemed to me that David’s report should have been enough to seal it,” I said as Bob made Desi a drink.
“What was the crime?” Desi asked.
“Arson in the courthouse but they all said not guilty, for reasons I’m still trying to figure out,” I said.
“Oh, the one on trial... Well the one on trial was my grand-daughter Jewel.”
“Your grand-daughter?!” I perked, having the suspicion confirmed.
“Yes.”
“I’ll look into it,” Desi said.
“Guess there ain’t really much else to talk about the trial then... Maybe people just didn’t trust Devin’s word,” I decided.
“Not sure.”
“You say arson? I’ll investigate it,” Desi said again.
“So wait... were any of the others on the jury related to Jewel?” I asked.
“No. Well, there’s Red...”
“Desi, it’s fine, really. I’ve got this,” I told her.
“Investigate it more. Didn’t do a good job.”
“It didn’t even happen in Diamond, Desi. It’s not really your worry,” I told her, starting to get really frustrated with her.
“Okay no problem. Sorry.”
“I’m working with the local law in Tombstone about what happened. Thanks, Sam, you’ve been helpful.”
“Long as it didn’t happen here. Sorry for meddling,” Desi said.
“You’re welcome,” Sam nodded.
“See ya’ll soon, I should head out and get some more work done.”
“Carry on detective,” Desi said.
I walked out and Sam tried to go with me but I told him that I had a meeting to attend.
Tombstone.
I walked into the courthouse and knocked on Jimmi’s office door. He welcomed me in and I smiled, “I’ve got information for you.”
“I was hoping you have yes.”
“Information that we weren’t expecting actually.”
“Please continue.”
“Two of the members on the jury yesterday were related to Jewel.”
“Two?” he blinked.
“Sam admitted to being Jewel’s grandfather... But he also said that the one man behind me, Red, was his son.”
He frowned, trying to picture the family tree.
“Enoch was a good friend of Sam’s, not related. Then there was Red, Sam, and myself. Sam has two other sons, Lucas and Shannon. Shannon is the oldest, then Lucas, then Red,” I explained.
“The trial is done...” he said.
“It’s no wonder they voted not guilty,” I nodded.
“She cant be brought back and held for the same charge.”
“I’ll bet you they’ll do the same thing at Lisa’s trial,” I guessed.
“Is Lisa related in any way with this nest of villains?”
“No, that wasn’t my point... But if they are on the jury for her, it was the same incident involving their relative. I doubt they’d call guilty on one and not the other.”
“If we start removing friends of the accused we will not have any jury left and indeed who wants to take a jury seat if they are removed all the time.”
“A very good point,” I nodded.
“I could be sitting jury at a trial of my best friend and I will still give a fair verdict... but the guide clearly states that if the accused is related to a jury member then that jury member must be removed.”
“I look at who presents the best case. I knew that Jewel was an outlaw but I still looked at the whole picture, and it didn’t seem like Ella was confident enough in the lie Jewel spouted off about it being an accident.”
“But they are not fair here,” Jimmi agreed.
“David presented his case with confidence and clarity.”
“David did exactly as I would have done in that situation, jump all over the self confession.”
“Not to mention, who you choose as a witness plays a big part in which way the jury will swing too. Or it should.”
“I understand Ella had no idea her client was going to confess on the stand.”
“And then spin it as an accident,” I nodded.
“I should have dropped the trial at that point and given judgement. I will do so in future for all cases I take. I will not make that mistake again.”
“You know my services are here, Jimmi. As a jury member but also as a detective. If something seems shady, don’t hesitate to ask for my help, alright? Sometimes people will talk to me more because I’m not technically a lawman. I can’t arrest them.”
“Indeed, Miss Trin. I thought this task was just perfect for you and it was important for justice too.”
“Absolutely,” I nodded. “Most of the time I know the right people to talk to who will talk to me honestly.”
“I shall complete the Judicial purchase order and you will be notified in the mail.”
“Fantastic.”
“Job well done Investigator,” he stood and offered his hand to shake mine.
I shook his hand and stood. “It is my pleasure, Sir.”
“We will be making more use of your skills in the future Miss Trin.”
“I hope so,” I smiled.
“Thank you for this work today.”
We said goodbye and I walked out of the office, but not before he handed me a couple hundred in change for my service. I smiled and walked back to my apartment, feeling honored to finally having been asked to assist the courts with investigations as I’d been longing to do since beginning the job back in May.
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