Black Diamond.
This morning I walked into the hotel and knocked on Aly’s door, worried about her. I hadn’t talked to her in a while and wanted to make sure that everything was alright. Aly peeked out of the door and looked around nervously.
“Hey Aly, it’s me. Are you alright hon?”
“I am now,” she sighed. “I was held at gunpoint once today and once yesterday. Not feeling very safe lately.”
“What?!” I blinked.
“Yeah some woman named Sasha. She stole my boots right off my feet yesterday! My favorite ones!”
“I remember her... Met her yesterday,” I sighed.
“And today I was fixing some loose boards on the church and she approached me again.”
“I knew there was something off about her. Come on hon, let’s sit down.” We sat down in the lounge area and I pulled out my notebook. “Tell me what happened... We’ll write up a witness statement for the robberies and I can give it to the local lawman... If I ever figure out who that is.”
“She caught me so off guard yesterday, I was very scared, hid in my room until later, when I knew Mark would be around... but today I had a blade, just in case she showed again, which she did.”
I nodded, writing out her words in my notebook. “This all happened in Diamond?”
“Yes right out by the church.”
“So can you tell me exactly what happened...? Let’s start with yesterday. She approached you and then how did it come to her steeling your boots off your feet?”
“I wrote up a witness statement too... Breezes was there as a witness. Yesterday...”
“Oh did you... good...” I smiled. “So you filed it already.”
“I was... well working on a tricycle...”
I closed my notebook and just listened. “You put the witness report into the law office?”
“Yes, with the mayor.”
“Fantastic. Then I will just listen and be here for you if you need to talk it out again.”
“Well I was working, yesterday, and she was all nice and friendly... asking about the city, where I was staying, my name... and I’m just friendly... So stupid me answered all her questions. Next thing I know there is a gun pressed against me. I never get guns pressed against me.”
“It ain’t a good feeling,” I shook my head.
“She made me take off my boots, then threatened me if I told anyone. Said she wanted to be my friend. I don’t want friends like that.”
“No kidding...”
“She took my boots and left, and I just kinda stayed in my room until later that night when I knew Mark would be around and she’d be gone. There was a dance at the saloon, and she’s got balls because she showed up there. Made me real nervous.”
“Quite a girl, that one,” I sighed.
“So I ignored here, and eventually she left.”
“That’s the best thing to do.”
“Today though, she came back while I was fixing the church. Tried demanding that I give her my hat. I got louder, shouted... and Breezes showed up right when she had me at gunpoint again. So she ran. And I came back here.”
“Glad someone showed up so she couldn’t do it again.”
“Yeah well I’m worried that she’ll be back. The sooner she’s in court, the better.”
“I would be too. We just need to get some good lawmen around here,” I nodded.
“Well I think that new guy here, that man staying upstairs..... he’s with the law and he knows about what’s going on.”
“Oh is he? What’s his name?”
“Gerric.”
“I think he might start working with me. I hope he will anyway... He’s got a good head on his shoulders. Not sure he’s so good with the gun though.”
“He’s renting the room upstairs. I think he may have even had an encounter with her too. He’s the one that told me her name... woman with dark hair and glasses... not many people wear those.”
“He was with me when I met Sasha yesterday at the bakery.”
“Seems like a nice fella.”
“Yeah,” I smiled, thinking about the way he made me feel by his concern.
“I don’t want her in this town no more. Can’t get any work done.”
“I don’t blame ya. I had a bad feeling about her from the second I met her.”
“Right... She was TOO nice.”
“Who is this Mark fella you keep bringin’ up?”
“Mary Grey. He’s the blacksmith in Tombstone. we just started coutrin’ a few days ago.”
“Congratulations hon,” I smiled.
“Oh well thanks, and you know when I got here I had no intention of seein’ nobody like that. Was content to exist in my own little world, my own bubble.”
“I know what you mean... Comes when we don’t expect it. This Gerric fellow.. I hope that I see him again today.”
“Oh well should I tell him that?” she giggled a bit. ‘The detective wants to see you today.’ Oh wait, that sounds like yer gonna question him.”
“Well... maybe he’ll wake up and com downstairs,” I blushed.
“He heard me sobbing yesterday. After I got here from the encounter with Sasha. Came running down and barged into my room,” she laughed.
“He’s good like that... Very caring... I think it might just be what I need right now... I’ve been very lonely lately.”
She smiled and nodded a bit. “I know what you mean. The few days I spent before getting into Black Diamond were some of the loneliest I’ve ever had.”
“I was seein’ someone seriously from August till about October... Haven’t dated anyone seriously since.”
“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking. If not, it’s okay.”
“We fell in love with each other and we didn’t want to move too quickly. Ironic... our only fault was falling in love. We’re best friends now though.”
“Oh that’s right, I think I met him....what was his name again?”
“Max?”
“Alex.”
“Oh... Me and names. That’s right.”
“It’s alright.”
“Well staying friends is good...that’s rare people do it. But uh, Gerric is...”
“It sure is. I just... I can’t stop thinking about Gerric. Is that crazy?”
“A nice neighbor. Nice and quiet. Expect the snoring,” she snickered. “Oh wait, that’s Rogue. No, it’s not. I’ve been having feelings much the same. Uh...for Mark. Not Gerric.” “It’s been a long time since a man’s captivated my thoughts so much.”
“That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Helps clear your mind, focus on the things that need to get done.”
“I guess it gave me time to heal, time to find myself again.”
“Need that break, you’ve gotta take the time like that, yes.”
“But Aly I’m ready to...” I sighed, not even sure what Gerric thought about me. “I didn’t exactly give the best first impression yesterday.”
“Uh, what happened?”
We heard someone come downstairs and I blushed at the sight of Gerric. “Over here sir, and I’m fine,” Aly said and he came over.
“OH, and MIss Trin, nice ta see ya both,” he smiled.
“Hello again, Gerric. “It’s good to see you.”
“I think I’d love being your across the street neighbor. I could use a female friend,” Aly laughed.
“So could I,” I chuckled. “Join us, Gerric?”
“Hey Gerric,” Aly greeted him.
“Sure, thanks,” he smiled and sat down beside Aly on the couch.
“How are you today, Gerric?” I asked.
“Okay I guess... slept hard last night... worried about Al.... a friend.... seems they were robbed yesterday.”
“Yes, well, and today too.... again, held at gunpoint.”
“You don’t say, what they get this time?” Gerric looked at him with concern.
I shook my head, not wanting to tell Aly’s story for her. “We need to get Sasha arrested. I just wish I could meet the deputy ‘round here and get this thing settled down.”
“Good luck there, there isn’t one,” Gerric chuckled.
“She did not take anything, wanted my hat, but then Breezes showed up,” Aly said. “I had a knife with me today, I need to start keeping something to protect myself when I don’t have you or Mark near.”
“We just need... my friend... to file a report accusing her,” Gerric said.
“Aly handed in a witness report. To the mayor.”
“Good,” he smiled.
“I don’t like having to worry when I have things to do,” Aly said. “Or even just stepping outside.”
“Talk ta Miss Breeze too, Sasha was... disturbing the peace in her new shop,” Gerric suggested.
“What happened there?” Aly blinked.
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” I nodded.
“She was shooting off her mouth in an unladylike way around a youngun
“If only we had a marshal around... Would be better than nothin’,” I sighed.
“She was? That’s so hard to believe after how nice she pretended to be with me.”
‘That’s her M.O.... take ya off your guard then strike with surprise,” he said.
“Well she did. And I think until she’s brought to justice I’m not going to be going out alone. She won’t attack with multiple people around I think.”
“Good idea,” Gerric nodded.
“Definitely smart. She doesn’t seem to like a crowd.”
“Don’t want witnesses. Tell me, was she wearing the boots she took yesterday?” Gerric asked and I smiled at his line of questioning, wanting him to work with me even more.
“I wasn’t paying attention, honestly. I was watching her hands and her gun, and waiting to see if I needed to get my blade out.”
“It’s good you started carrying that blade. Don’t want to be out there without a weapon or they’ll take advantage of that,” I nodded.
“Mark tells me that boots can be replaced but lives cannot, I think it’ s his way of convincing me not to miss them so much,” Aly said.
“Makes sense... I would too,” Gerric nodded. “And to convince you that you did the right thing.”
“Mmhmm, he’s right,” I nodded.
“Still... I miss them,” she sighed. “Oh well. At least she didn’t get my hat today.”
“I know the problem, you have too nice of clothes,” Gerric shook his head.
“They were both here, were at the saloon when I arrived for the dance,” Aly said.
“No, I wasn’t in town last night... had to go out for a while,” Gerric said.
“Last night, Aly?” I asked.
“There is only one person I’ve met that I don’t like. Yes,” she said.
“They’ve got nerve comin’ back here,” I shook my head.
“What happened?” Aly asked, her eyes widening.
“Gerric and I think they were the ones who set the bakery on fire. The evidence points to them.”
“Ugh, that fumes me.”
“That reminds me...I want to go to the saloon and see what kind of matches they havve behind the counter,” Ger said.
“Tye was one of the first people I met in Tombstone. He was a lawman,” I said and looked at him. “I can come with you. I’d like to check that out myself.”
“Why would they do this?” Aly asked. “Ain’t he got better things to do like go harass someone?”
“Who knows,” I shrugged. “Why would someone turn from being a lawman to setting a bakery on fire?”
“I’m thinkin’ jealousy and/or sabotage.”
“Or to get attention for Bree’s bakery so that she gets better business...” I suggested.
“Well that’s no better than cheating,” Aly said.
“Good thought... think she hired them? She did move quickly inta a new place instead of rebuilding,” Gerric noted.
“If yer pastries suck it ain’t the other bakery’s fault,” Aly said. Who Breezes? I doubt she had anything to do with it being burnt down. She was very upset.”
“I would feel better about their motives if that were true. I know them better than that... I thought.. Would make sense if that was their motives. I doubt Bree had anything to do with it,” I said.
“Ya thought the same about your friends,” he said and I sighed, knowing he was right. “I’m new here... I don’t know everyone that well yet. So I can think of these things. Look,” he said as I leaned forward pensively. “Let’s work on the proof first. Worry about motive later.”
“You’re right. We should go look at the saloon,” I nodded.
“I just assumed it was an accident. Like my home,” Aly noted.
“I thought that at first too but... I ain’t so sure now,” I shook my head. “Tye doesn’t do anything on accident.”
“Not from what we found, no.”
“Ugh, hearing that man’s name just makes me cringe,” Aly shook her head and I squirmed in my seat, memories flooding my mind. Aly eyed me and asked, “You alright?”
“I just can’t believe that someone I’ve known that long would change that much,” I shook my head.
“Who, Tye?”
I nodded. “We were never romantic or nothin’... but he was there for me during some very hard times. I don’t know what it’ll be like when I see him again now.”
“Ugh well when I first got to Tombstone and met the man I instantly did not like him. He was peeking in the medical clinic while a woman was gettin’ bandaged. Gave me tha creeps. Then again, his wife was tha one in there,” she snickered. “So maybe was jes me being silly. Funny thing though... After talking with him recently I actually was starting to like him. Thought he might even be here to help out.”
I looked at Gerric, needing to focus on facts. “What do you say we head to the saloon and look around?”
“Right,” he nodded and looked to Aly.
“I think I’m going to try to get some more work done. Which means... me going outside.”
“You be careful now, okay?” Gerric looked at her.
“Call for us if you need anything, hon,” I told her.
“Yes, if you hear me hollering’ from that church,” Aly smiled and nodded.
I walked out with Gerric and we walked to the saloon. “Weird to be here for work instead of to dance or drink.”
“Only been in here once... that day.”
I walked behind the counter and looked at him, “Let’s look for those matches.”
“Don’t think I should behind the bar.... not being law and all.”
“I’m not technically law either but I’m close enough,” I winked and walked behind the bar.
“You are the investigator,” he smiled.
I leaned down and searched through the cupboards and found the matches. “Here they are,” I said, lifting them to show him. “These look the same, don’t they?”
“Looks like the one I saw... let’s see if they are unique.”
I leaned against the counter and studied them, noticing how close he was standing to me, and liking it. I read the match and found some small print. “Look, Gerric... there’s words here. So small but it’s there.”
“I see them.. edge in to the wood... maybe so they won’t loose them when burned.”
“The Dusty Diamond Saloon,” I read out loud.
“Yeah, you’re right. Now, just need to match this with the one the Mayor has...”
I nodded and looked around. “I need a drink. You?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
I reached for the coffee pot and began to make myself a cup of coffee, looking at him. “I’m having coffee with whiskey. What are you drinkin’?”
“Sounds good to me.”
I nodded and waited for the coffee to be ready, then reached for the whiskey bottle, mixing the drinks and handing him a cup. I sat beside him and took a sip, “So Ger... Have I mentioned thank you yet?”
“No, but why thank me?” he looked at me, confused.
“You’re helping me stay grounded... And not to let my emotions get in the way of following the evidence.”
“I see,” he nodded. “That is hard to do... and you are welcome.”
“It means a lot,” I sipped my coffee. “We make a good team, you and me.”
“I agree, Miss Trin,” he smiled.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had someone that I work this well with...”
“It is great when it happens. If ya want, we can recreate what happened in here that night,” he suggested.
“Oh? How do you mean?”
“Well let’s see... Miss Leigh was sitting at the end here.... and Miss Desi was standing where we are..” he placed his cup down and stood. “I saw Peta sitting over here while Tye as walking around.” I looked over and stood, following him. “Miss Katie and I were dancing... about here... Like this,” he said, pulling me into his arms to dance. I started to dance with him and smiled at the feeling of being in his arms. “Now... I was watching him... go...” he held my gaze and said, “Ummm... yeah... Tye... was... ummm...”
“Shh...” I placed my hand on his side as we danced close. He let go and let the music lead his steps as I moved with him easily. After a while of dancing in the silence I looked in his eyes, “Do you want to be a Detective and work with me?”
“Depends, how’s the pay? Been thinkin of being a detective here in Black Diamond,” he smiled.
“It depends on the case... I assisted the court with an investigation last week and was paid $200. Sometimes though... not much. It’s more about the satisfaction of getting justice.”
“This case might get ya something.”
“I would need you to fill out forms for me... Whenever you learn something about someone, put it on these cards. I can add it to my master list that I give to the mayor of Tombstone. Our weapon is information.” I handed him a blank personal report page from my pocket and said, “Under the notes, I usually write incidents where they have been shot or arrested or tried in court. Dated, of course.”
“Of course.”
“When we go into court, these cards help us understand the character of the defense. As jury or whichever. We also help the law gather witness statements of crimes and pass them to the local deputy or mayor. That’s something I’ve been doing more of lately. Witness statements, like I told you yesterday, are so crucial,” I continued as he pulled me closer to dance.
The saloon doors opened and I heard David clearing his throat. Turning, I said, “Hello David. How are you?”
“Not as well as you seem,” David smiled at us.
“Oh, hi there David,” Gerric greeted him.
“Howdy,” Aly said as she came in behind David. “Wow, a daytime party.”
“We were, um... investigating,” I blushed.
“Yeah, I can tell,” David said.
“Uh huh, investigating them floorboards?” Aly snickered.
“We were recreating the event,” I said honestly.
“Recreating the events of that night,” Gerric said at the same time and we laughed.
“Everything alright?” I looked over at them.
“Ohhh well that makes sense. shall I show you the spot Mayor Krell danced on in his fancy diamond girl outfit? Perhaps you could... relive it too,” Aly teased and we laughed at that.
“Ok all seriousness, that s exactly what I need to discuss with you Trin,” David said.
“What’s up?” I asked, standing next to Ger as we stopped dancing.
“Last night party as you know Krell was dressed like a lady. I am concerned for Krell’s mental state,” David said.
“Did I know that?” I asked.
“For Jewel’s birthday,” Aly said.
“Aly just mentioned it. When she walked in you must have heard her.”
“First I’m hearing about it,” Ger said.
“Ah yes... They had Jewel’s party after all then. The woman who supposedly kidnapped his wife,” I shook my head.
“I was out of town,” Ger said.
“The point being is Mayor Krell was dressed as a woman last night,” David said.
“Not just a woman in jeans neither,” Aly said. “This was uh...”
“I am concerned that the Mayor dressed in woman’s clothes isn’t the image Black Diamond ought to have.”
“I would agree,” I shook my head.
“Uh David, has he done this before?” Aly asked.
“No and that has me worried,” David said.
“Well maybe it was just to shock everyone... and celebrate the birthday,” Aly suggested.
“I’ve heard he’s gotten drunk occasionally,” I said.
“Trin I think it needs to be looked into,” David said and I looked to Ger.
“Everybody gets drunk occasionally,” Aly coughed, “Right?”
“Maybe it was a joke...”
“There are a lot of things I’d like to talk to the mayor about. Problem is I ain’t seen him around in days. He’s never here when I’m in town.”
“Hmm I wonder if its connected?” David suggested. “His not being around then dressing up in ladies clothes.”
“I don’t know. All I know is he ain’t been easy to reach for me,” I shook my head.
“Well I’d hate for someone to find him unfit for office,” David said.
I saw a couple walking into the saloon. “Speak of the man...” I saw Krell and a woman I didn’t know.
“Hello,” Krell smiled to all.
“Um, hi sir. Feeling okay today?” David asked.
“This is Britt, she is new here in town,” he introduced the woman.
“Hello,” she smiled.
“Krell I wanted to ask you... the place beside the clinic. It taken?” I asked him.
“Feeling just fine david, just seem a little more emotional than normal,” Krell told him and I bit my tongue at that.
“Sir I am concerned about your behavior last night,” David said.
“Yes David?”
“Yes sir I don’t think that behavior was very becoming sir,” David said.
“Awe, David, it was a party,” Ger said.
“I worry that the town folk will frown at it,” David said.
“Well, it is almost the 20th Century...” Ger said as Krell excused himself and asked Aly to join him.
We continued to introduce ourselves to Britt and then she said, “Thank you Trin. I might need a detective I would like to find my little boy,” Britt said.
“Your little boy is missing?” I asked, looking at Ger with interest and then back to Britt.
“My ex and his hussy school teacher all ran off somewheres together,” she said.
“And he took your son?” Ger asked.
“Yes he sure did, and all my furniture also,” Britt said, and I watched as David threw his hands in the air then and stormed out of the saloon then, shaking his head, muttering.
“I don’t care much about the stuff but I miss my little boy,” she said.
“Of course... What is your boy’s name?” I asked.
“His name is......... let me think a minute.......... Jerry? no jeremy that what it is Jeremy,” she said.
“What do you mean you think Miss?” Ger looked at her cautiously.
“And what is the fathr’s name?” I asked, not sure why the woman wouldn’t remember her own son’s name right away.
“I done forgot for a second is all.”
“Your own flesh and blood?” I looked at her.
“Well I had a hit in my head a few months back. I knew it started with a J.”
“What is the name of your ex, ma’am?” Ger and I asked at the same time and I winked at him.
“Darren is my ex’s name,” she said.
“And his...ummm...school teacher?” Ger asked.
“When did the two of them leave? How long ago, can you guess?” I asked.
“Bout six months back,” she said, looking at the wall.
“Know which town they might be heading to?” Ger asked.
“I ain’t got no idea where’s they is going to,” she said, looking at something on her dress.
“Okay, where were you living with him?” Ger asked.
“I am looking for somewhere here to lease,” Britt said. “Is there anywhere to live around here?”
“Okay...” Ger turned to me. “Good place to start.”
“There’s a hotel just next to the saloon,” I told her.
“I need to see ifin they came here,” Britt said.
“Oh, you mean to find them, not to live in,” Ger noticed.
“I hope they gots a room.”
“If not, you can have mine,” he promised.
“There’s also a hotel that’s pretty well known in Bisbee, and over in Tombstone. Could have gone anywhere in the area I guess,” I pointed out. “We could ask around though and see if anyone’s seen Darren and Jeremy though. How old is your son?”
“Do you remember the teachers name?” Ger asked again.
“I been to Tombstone and to Bisbee and looked all over for several months,” Britt said. “Anni Andrew is her name. I could never forget her.”
I shook my head, not recognizing the name. A woman named Katie came into the saloon and Ger said that she danced at the saloon and could help Britt find a job. Aly came back into the saloon and told me that she got her blue house down the street and said that I could have the house beside the clinic. I smiled and ran out with her, looking at the houses excitedly. I spent the rest of the afternoon decorating my new home and getting settled in.
This evening, I walked out and heard Tye and Peta’s voices. “Hey look, a church, Tye!” Peta was saying.
“Let’s leave, Peta, before they have the chance,” Tye said. “Oh, a church. How... something.”
“So no details about us kissing and smooching?” asked the man with Aly on her front porch.
I watched as Peta walked towards the church but Tye didn’t enter and asked, “Why we goin’ in there again?”
“I just wanted to look! No one’s banned me from goin’ in that church,” Peta said.
“THAT church, yeah,” Tye said to Peta and then turned to me. “Trin! Thank goodness.”
“Thank goodness?” I looked at Tye, confused. “You’ve never been happy to see me, Tye.”
Tye pointed to the cafe and said, “That fella over there said he saw two raccoons ransack the place.”
“You two thinking about getting Hitched?” the man asked Peta and Tye.
“Yep, two raccons,” Peta said.
“Y’all leave that church alone, I jes finished fixin sideboards,” Aly said. “Mind yerselves.”
“Well, we had a crime to report,” Tye told me.
“Uh huh,” I nodded skeptically.
“Hitched? We been married,” Tye told him.
“Naw, I don’t like churches. They make me uncomfortable,” Peta said.
“That’s a mighty nice little church,” the man said.
“They are married, Mark,” Aly said and I took in the man’s name.
“Well renew their vows then,” Mark suggested.
“A right proper wedding. Handcuffs, a judge, and bowel movements,” Tye said.
“Ugh, TWO marriages?! Ain’t one enough?!” Peta complained.
“You said something about raccoons?” I tried to change the subject.
“The one good thing about marryin’ Tye is that I don’t have to marry him again,” Peta said and then looked at me. “Yeah! I saw one of those raccoon, ran out a hole somewhere. Beady little eyes.”
“Just glance inside the coffee shop. Major mess, Peta slipped and fell in the coffee on the floor.”
“He looks at me, and I knew there was evil in his heart,” Peta said.
“They was real big like,” Mark said. “Biggest varmints ever did see.”
“Peta’s had dealings with raccoons lately,” Tye nodded.
“Took out a bunch of cookies on the way down too,” Peta said.
“One of ‘em jammed up my guns. With real jam,” Tye said.
“I think they got a conspiracy against me,” Peta put in.
“One male and other female,” Mark added.
“Uh huh,” I looked at Tye.
“Yeah, you know... I think I’m gonna git outta these work clothes,” Aly said then.
“You want me to bring raccoons to court?” I looked between them.
“Just set som traps maybe,” Peta suggested.
“Well, I don’t figure you’re doin’ much else, as a Pinky,” Tye said.
“No just shoot them,” Mark said.
“You need an exterminator, not a detective,” I told them.
“Anyhow, we done our good deed. We’ll be in the saloon,” Tye said.
“Reckon I’ve been plenty busy, thank you very much,” I looked over at Aly, then back at Tye.
“Make some nice coon skin hats,” Mark suggested.
“Well if anyone litigious wants to know what happened... it was raccoons,” Peta said.
“There might be some cake left last night,” Tye nodded. “Good hats.”
“I’m gonna change,” Aly said and gave Tye one last look before disappearing inside.
“We’ll catch up later, Trin. I still ain’t ate,” Tye said. “They even destroyed the little cafe down here I used to cook in.”
“Well I am not going in there to eat any cake after those varmits got their mits on all the goodies,” Mark said.
I nodded, remembering that cafe. “Yeah, that was a good one.”
“Come on, Peta. Let’s see if the saloon’s got any of those nuts,” Tye said.
“You mean Lil’s?” Peta asked.
“Yeah, after she left it,” Tye nodded. “I cooked there sometimes.” He waved at me and followed Peta off to the saloon as Peta said goodbye to me too.
I walked over to Aly’s house and smiled to the man. “You must be Mark.”
“Evening, Miss Trin,” he greeted me. “She went in to change.”
“Aly went on inside, eh? Think I can come in and see the new place?” I asked.
“Just give her a holler.”
“Aly? Can I come in?” I called in.
“Yup! Come on in!” she called back. I walked in and smiled, looking around the living room and complimenting it. “Feels strange now having so much space.”
“I know, doesn’t it? I’ll have to have you over to see my place. Can I see upstairs?”
“Of course,” she said and we walked upstairs.
“Nice up here too!”
“I fell in love with this house the moment I walked in... I love the color, and these walls... Thank you.”
“Yeah I fell in love with my place too. These walls are great.”
“Only thing still missing is a nice wardrobe. Well Mayor Krell was tryin’ ta sell me on it... he said this place had already been taken.”
“Mmhmm,” I chuckled.
“No way was I going to accept that. I knew you liked the place. I’d rather have stayed at the hotel and waited for something else.”
“You’re a good friend,” I smiled.
“Well thank you, and I just think it woulda been wrong”
“Was so awkward down there to see Tye and Peta again...” I sighed.
“Ugh... I bet it was. It’s awkward and I’m not even you. That man makes me cringe and skin crawl.”
“He just... He’s always given me a banter kind of relationship, you know? Like he respects me but he isn’t gonna coddle me. But now... Knowing what I know... Or what I think I know..”
“I don’t even know, Aly,” I shook my head.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“He was always kind of rough to me as a marshal... Like he was trying to make me stronger as a detective... So he would grunt towards me and grumble about me bein’ there but I knew he appreciated my help.”
“He likes to make people feel miserable....like the complete opposite of how I would treat someone.”
“I guess I should let you go to the dance... I’m waiting to hear if Ger passed his citizenship class...”
“I think he will,” she smiled. “He seems to fit in nicely here. Not like some of the really odd people I see wandering around.”
“He and I work well together. I want to give him his badge already,” I chuckled.
“That good huh?” she laughed.
“Of course working together would make it awkward to do anythin’ too exclusive... He can get information out of women probably better than I can. I don’t connect with women as well... Not like I do with you.”
“But I should go wait outside so Mark doesn’t think I take as long as one of them dove girls to git ready,” she snickered. “Cause women sometimes do have claws. And of course you let me know if I can be of help too. I live in this city too and I’m not a detective, but I’m pretty good at getting tidbits.”
“I sure will. Being able to retreat to your new place helped avoid Tye and Peta... I just... I don’t know.”
I followed her downstairs and we went outside where Mark was waiting with the horse and carriage. I waved to them and headed back to my new house.
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