Black Diamond.
This morning I walked outside and waved to Aly across the street. “My place or yours?” I called over and she waved me towards her.
“Good morning, how are you?”
“I’m great hon, how are you?”
“Missing Mark, actually... Especially after last night when the whole city was at Annie’s. Come in.”
“Aww...” I followed her inside. “Looks great in here!”
“Thanks! I hope you like the upstairs too. And yup, he’s been out on business. Won’t get back until late tonight.”
I walked upstairs and complimented her on the place. We walked back down to the kitchen and had a seat at the table. “And how’s your place coming along?”
“My place is great. I showed Ger around yesterday... David came upstairs and found us relaxing by the fireplace...” I blushed. “We work so well together.”
“Relaxing?” she chuckled.
“Mmhmm. He’s got good arms, what can I say?”
“They do look very nice and strong,” she giggled.
“We’ve got a bunch of interesting cases going... Really would like to get some answers on them soon.”
“Oh? Is it ok for you to tell me which?”
“Well... if you know anything about them it would be a big help.”
“And I haven’t seen Sasha for two days..... maybe she left? Ok well let me know what you’re looking into then.”
“Let’s see... the bakery fire, the racoons in the cafe, the ants in Bree’s new bakery, and the cross-dressing mayor. I think that about covers it. Oh and the possible thefts done by the mayor... and the kidnapping of the mayor’s fiancé at the beginning of the month. I think that about covers it.”
“Wow, you’ve got your hands full,” she laughed.
“Mmhmm. Could use some help if you know somethin’.”
“David is really concerned about the mayor I think. The mayor told David that he needs to be a contributing factor of Black Diamond and follow suit in partaking of the...” she coughed, “Dress code.”
“Really? He wants David to wear a dress too?” I rolled my eyes at that.
“Oh and I’ve gotta admit...I was laughing...and I kinda....contributed to...ahem...what the mayor was saying. I think I was pretty convincing,” she giggled.
“I think I’m worried about him for different reasons to be honest,” I sighed.
“I told him that if he did it, dressed like Krell...and danced around in the saloon like that, that he’d be center stage and all the pretty women would be watching him. Oh yes, the mental ones I’ve heard of?”
“No... not those reasons. I could just be readin’ too much into it.. I don’t know which of the two to trust, Aly. Krell or Leigh.”
“Hmm... I can’t give you an answer on that, I really haven’t spent much time with either of them to get a good idea.”
“And it worries me the way Leigh talks about him.”
“I know ..going on about his meds.”
“Meds?” I blinked.
“And how much he needs to take them... Yeah for his....stability.”
“He’s on meds?!”
“Well I can’t confirm.... Just that she was going on about meds.”
“Wow... That puts things into a bit more perspective.”
“Well I dunno, she could have been joking... but I don’t think I’d joke about that.”
“No, I don’t think I would either,” I shook my head.
“That’s just you and me though...I mean... You see the way Peta and Tye talk to each other. Ugh... so disrespectful.”
“Anything about the other cases?” I sighed, changing the subject.
“Oh... Bakery fire I know nothing of.... just how upset I got when it got burned...which is why I decided to get my own bread oven. And I was not here at the beginning of the month, did not even know about a kidnapping, uck.”
“How about the cafe? I remember you and Mark were there when I was talkin’ to Peta and Tye about the racoons.”
“Yes, I heard a lot of noise and I don’t think Tye is tha most graceful man. Could be they were knockin stuff over.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Well, I wouldn’t be surprised. Besides... before them two got into town...it was very quiet. No noises, nothing, just like it usually is.”
“Mmhmm... Interesting circumstances there..”
“And I ain’t seen no coons.”
“Yeah, we couldn’t find any entry points either. Tye’s makin’ things up.”
“Really wouldn’t surprise me. But how come?”
“That’s the question, isn’t it? Why would Tye do any of this.”
“Maybe he’s tha one needin’ meds,” she gave a little shrug.”
“Anything else you can tell me?” I chuckled.
“Other than every time I pass the man my stomach turns....especially like last night when I caught him gawking at me. Ugh.”
“I really need to talk to the mayor..”
“You should... See if he seems sane to you when you just sit down and have a conversation with him.”
“Just can’t seem to get him alone.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to tell I think. Yeah that’s the thing...he might act different around multiple people than just one.”
“I had a conversation with him once... In my office in Tombstone. Seemed very all over the place. Like his attention span didn’t hold for more than two seconds.”
“Like a child?”
“Yeah, kinda,” I chuckled. “Attention span of a gnat, I like to say.”
“My concern is... and normally for someone like me it wouldn’t be a big deal.... He’s running a town. He makes important decisions that affect us all.”
“I know.... He’s the one we are all supposed to go to for problem solving. If he isn’t sane...”
“And if those decisions are interrupted by a gnat’s attention span... Well...we’d be seeing more outlaws and such, I think..”
“Mmhmm. Surprised we don’t have more as it is.”
“Shhh don’t even say. The times with Sasha was enough.”
“Yeah...” I smirked.
“I like it quiet. It’s why I’m settling.”
“And I’m busy enough..”
“Yes I’m sure you’d rather be looking into bakery burnings over shootings. No fun when people die.”
“Mmhmm, definitely. Had enough murder cases in my day. Some that have hit a little too close to home.”
“So this must be a nice break for you then.”
“It sure is. But at the same time it’s nice to not have a break anymore... From cases I mean. I went a long time without having anything to do and I was a detective and a lawyer. Just keeping my ears posted for a telegram about a trial this weekend. Going to be an interesting one.”
“Which subject?” We heard laughter and shouting coming from down the street and Aly smiled, “Nice to see people are in good spirits today.”
“What the heck’s goin’ on over there? The case is a shooting of a lawman,” I said about the trial. Lisa shot Kris and robbed him. Been waiting for this trial for a while. Can’t wait to see how it plays out.”
The noise continued down the street and I muttered, “I hate morning people.”
“I love the mornings! Sun comes up, best time of day to stretch...and baked goods just don’t smell the same at night,” Aly said. “Oh yeah, you wanted some coffee?”
“I’d love some.”
“I don’t have any made, unfortunately, since I just woke before you got here, but we can go next door, or you can wait a bit while I get it ready.”
“We can wander,” I smiled.
We walked over to the cafe and sat down with our coffee. We talked about how nice it was having a girlfriend to talk to again and then I grew quiet. “Sorry I’m distracted this morning. A lot on my mind,” I eventually said.
“You alright with everything?” she eyed me with concern.
“I don’t know... I’m not really sure what to think anymore, Aly. I’m living in a town where the mayor is wearing women’s clothing and my oldest friend turned outlaw.”
“Well you know people, and places...they change sometimes.”
“I know...”
“And with the mayor... maybe it’s just a phase. You know to... experiment with stuff,” she said and I sighed. “Well cheer up! Friends are still friends even when making bad decisions.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Just... makes things more complicated sometimes. Requires more work... Some frustrations.”
“Yep. I guess it does.”
“Oh and sorry I haven’t been more helpful on the bakery situation. I never saw anyone mess with it.”
“Oh it’s alright... It’s nice to have a sounding board to talk to as well, you know? Someone to bounce thoughts off of.”
“Exactly,” she nodded. “Hence my comment of..less journal entries...now I’m just writing of the really secret, embarrassing thoughts.”
“Sorry I’m so quiet this morning...”
“Hey I’m not complaining at all. I know how them thoughts can be. Besides I see yer eyes light up from time ta time and I recognize it.”
“Cause I’m thinkin’ of Ger I suppose,” I smiled.
“Cute. but seriously, he seems a nice guy...I’d take it slow though..make sure he ain’t one of them woman lovers like some people in this town.”
“I’m okay with that... We both know how to get information out of people. I think this arrangement will work out well for both of us.”
“Oh well in that case,” she laughed. “Go full force. Wait, did I just say that aloud?”
“Just seem to be more women ‘round here than men.”
“That’s not like me, not at all,” she chuckled.
“Wait a minute... Aly... Back when Tye and Peta were tellin’ me about the raccoons... Mark said he saw them too! Though now that I think about it, he could have been describing Tye and Peta too. Think I’m going to take a walk around town. I’ll catch up with you later, Aly,” I smiled and headed out.
I walked down the street and saw Leigh and Ger talking. “Everything alright, you two?”
“Hey,” Ger looked back at me. “Sorry I’m late but I ran into Miss Leigh outside the office.”
“Something wrong?”
“Remember that earring she said she found? She heard someone in town has lost one like it recently.”
“I remember... Hi Victoria,” I nodded.
Paisley and Victoria walked over and greeted us as they passed. I looked back at Ger and asked, “She have the name of the one who lost one like it?”
Victoria came back and started to talk with Ger, introducing herself, and then left us again. “You said something about an earring?” I asked when we were alone again.
“Yes... Earing... Let’s go someplace and sit.”
“Sounds good,” I nodded and led the way back to our office. We headed upstairs and sat on the couch beside each other and got comfortable.
“So, Miss Leigh thinks this earring belongs to the woman looking for it but she didn’t mention any name though.”
“Hmm... And it’s the same as the one that she had?”
“Might be, but I didn’t get to see the earring, and without a name...”
“Not much we can do till she tells us more,” I nodded.
“Or the mystery lady steps forth.”
“It’s so good to have someone to work with again.”
“I agree...hard to do things alone.”
“Mmhmm for sure.”
“Need someone that can lend a hand. So...whats our game plan now?”
“Need to talk to Krell sometime today. Alone... see what I can get out of him. You should see if you can get more out of Leigh.”
“What else should I be looking for?”
“We need to see if we can get more out of Britt about her ex husband... I don’t think we’re getting the full story there. Oh yeah.. I was talking with Aly and she said that it’s possible Krell’s on meds.”
“That would explain things...” he raised his eyebrows at that.
“Apparently Leigh keeps tellin’ her about how he takes meds for his stability and how much he needs to take them. Maybe you can get some information out of her about that?”
“Maybe...and it might be he has gone off of them...”
“It’s possible... Or they’re messing with him.”
“OR..someone switched them,” Ger suggested.
“Hmm... Another interesting possibility.”
We continued to talk about theories as we relaxed on the couch.
***
Later this morning I heard Aly shouting, “You should leave. Now!” I ran outside and saw Ger and Aly being held up by Sasha who had her gun on them. I took out my gun just in case and stood near the sign in front of a corner building in case I needed to reload.
“Sasha, drop your weapon! I mean it, Sasha. Drop it!”
Aly moved to hide behind Ger and I looked from Ger to Sasha.
“Miss this aint gotta do with you,” Sasha told me.
“You’ve got a gun on my partner. It damn right has to do with me. Drop it. Now.”
“This yellow belly aint even got a pistol, Mr goody goody,” Sasha looked at Ger.
“Just drop it and go and we won’t have any issue.,” I held my gun on her.
“Leave now Sasha and I won’t press charges....” Ger said.
“Drop the gun, Sasha,” I said again, watching the girl shaking like a leaf. “I will shoot you. I’ve done it before to protect children. I’ll do it again to protect my partner and my best friend.”
“Aly, you okay?” Bree shouted then.
“Bree, stay back!” I called out to her.
“Listen to her Sasha...drop the gun and leave now before this gets worse for you,” Ger said to Sasha.
I fired a warning shot near Sasha’s feet and called, “I’m not messing around here.”
Sasha looked frightened as she tensed and looked between Ger and me. “Sasha..don’t...lay your weapon down,” Ger warned.
“I can shoot again,” I said and fired a second warning shot.
Ger stepped closer and talked softer. “Listen to me Sasha...you don’t want this...put the gun away and no one will get hurt.”
“Drop the danged gun, Sasha!” I shouted and fired a second warning shot.
Sasha holstered her gun and ran away crying. I watched her go and sighed with relief, holstering my gun. I kept an eye out as I walked over to Ger and Aly. “You two alright?”
“I think she’s just a scared woman trying to make it,” Ger nodded.
“Well she should try being nice... I didn’t hold people at gun point when I got here. I would have given her some of my things,” Aly said.
“Circumstances make people do things they might not normally do...she could have shot me, but
decided to swing and hit me with gun instead,” Ger said.
“We could still report her for unholstered weapons,” I shook my head.
“Well glad she didn’t shoot ya .Couldn’t bear it,” Aly shivered. “And thieving!”
“I would have shot her if she’d taken her gun to either of you,” I nodded. “Yes, and theft. You two should fill out a statement about this incident.”
Ger shook his head, “I’m keepin my word, she left without incident so I’m not filing nothin.”
“Ger..she could bring friends next time,” Aly argued.
“She has to trust someone here...” Ger said.
I looked over and saw Krell and Bree walk over. “Afternoon all. We heard some gunshots.”
“Hello Trin, Gerric, and Aly,” Bree greeted us.
“I had to fire some warning shots at Sasha. She had her gun on them,” I nodded.
“Yes, no one hurt?” Bree asked.
“She holstered her gun and ran,” I answered.
“Blast it. Hello Twain,” Bree greeted the man who walked over.
“Hello Twain,” I turned to him.
“Morning,” he nodded. “What’s this a Friday Church meeting?”
Aly glanced toward her new home and sighed and Ger asked, “You okay, Miss Aly?”
“She stays away from me thank goodness,” Bree said about Sasha.
“Hm, not exactly. Nerves rattled a bit,” Aly said, still shaking. “Don’t like her.”
“No, she really after you,” Bree agreed.
“I know...you best go home and lie down,” Ger suggested.
“Yes we need to praise Jesus,” Krell said.
“Think I’ll go in..and clear my head,” Aly coughed. “Excuse me,” she said and turned to go inside.
“Well, it seems you scared her off. I don’t see anything but a blood trail,” Krell said.
“What happened?” Twain asked.
“Well it seems Sasha was being her typical self, and Trin had to fire some warning shots at Sasha, and warned her well,” Krell explained.
“Just doin’ my job. Pinkertons aren’t able to arrest but we’ll do our best to protect people,” I smiled.
“Oh. I not met this Sasha yet,” Twain nodded.
“Bandit tried to hold up Miss ally and I, she went to hit me with her gun, but I was able to fend it off, then Miss trin came, and between us we talked her out of using her gun and she left,” Ger explained.
“She better learn not to deal with Diamond folks,” Bree said.
“Just get me a deputy, Krell, and I’ll have someone to turn these bad guys to,” I told him.
“I thought Johnny Cash was deputy here?” Twain asked.
“He has bad troubles cant be here,” Bree said.
“Ain’t seen him in a while, Twain,” I said.
“At least have more rangers? But they go all over,” Bree reflected.
“I heard word through the wire that we have a sheriff,” I said, remembering a wire I’d seen. “David, you missed all the action,” I saw him walk over.
“Damn, seem to these days. What happened?”
“Ger, I’ll let you tell the story,” I nodded to him.
“Bandit tried to hold up Miss ally and I, she went to hit me with her gun, but I was able to fend it off, then Miss trin came, and between us we talked her out of using her gun and she left.”
“We make a good team, Ger,” I smiled.
“She was almost in tears,” Ger said.
I walked over to Aly’s and she let me inside. We sat at the table and she said that she was feeling safer with me and Ger around. She said that she was going to journal and I headed out, leaving her alone to calm down.
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