Black Diamond.
I walked across the street and knocked on Aly’s door. She opened it, wearing a nightie. “Oh, hi.”
“Did I wake you?”
“Uh no, I was already awake,” she smiled.
“Wanted to invite you over for coffee whenever you’re ready.”
“Kinda had a late night,” she blushed and giggled. “Ok, well let me change and I’ll meet you there.”
“Alrighty! See you soon,” I smiled and headed across the road. I made a pot of coffee and took my cup to the couch where I sat and waited for Aly to arrive.
She came in a few minutes later and said, “You know, I never know whether it’s appropriate to just walk in or not. Oh thanks,” she said and helped herself to some coffee.
“It’s alright to just walk in down here. It’s upstairs I’m more concerned about privacy,” I smiled.
“I would never have imagined doin’ such a thing. You got problem with people doin’ that?” she blinked.
“How are ya, hon? Glad you had a good night last night,” I smiled.
Her cheeks went a shade of red and she said, “Oh uh So I got all dressed nice for that Valentine ball last night.... and listen to this, you ain’t gonna believe it...”
“I’m listening,” I smiled.
“Aly I won’t be mad at ya if you dance with Tye. Eww... I was mortified.”
“What on earth would possess her to say something like that?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Well they had a fight last night so I ain’t sure if that had anything.”
“Oh did they? At the dance?” I sipped on my coffee.
“Maybe cause she knows I never would. And I told her, ‘not now, not ever,’” she snickered. “Would have ta have a gun pressed against me.” She rolled her eyes and said, “Yes, at a Valentines dance nevertheless. hollarin’ back and forth. She got angry at him for spendin’ money on a new shirt that he wanted to wear for her apparently. or something. I tried not to pay attention. So anyhow... Mark showed up... we danced for a bit and then. Uh.... he... proposed.”
“He what?!” I blinked. “But you just started...”
She showed me her hand with the ring on it and blushed a bit. “He asked me to marry him. I know... But we aren’t gonna set a date for a while. He even said he wasn’t sure I would say yes because of that... but how terrible a person would I be saying no in a room full of family and friends? Besides.... I love him.... so. I did. I said yes.”
“Wow...”
“But wait, it gets weird.”
“It should be so simple,” I muttered.
“Should be... and here’s the thing. I was engaged to a man for 5 years, the same one I knew my whole childhood. We were engaged the day the house burned and were suppose to get married yesterday. ON Valentines day. That’s really screwy.”
“I guess I just don’t get how it’s so easy for some people and yet me... I say I love someone and that ends things.”
“Trin... Sometimes people just kinda know... that just means you haven’t found the right one. Believe me when I say.... I was SO put off by the whole romance, courting, thing, even men, I just WANTED to be alone... when I got here. I was a grouch with it.”
“Easy for you to say... you found someone.”
“Well I’m sure you will too.”
“Or rather he found you.”
“Besides, how are things working out with Ger?”
“Things are good with Ger... he’s a good partner.”
“And what of the romantic part?” she raised an eyebrow.
“He gets information out of women that I can’t...”
“Trin... romance part?”
“We don’t spend that much time together like that... We just danced that one time and cuddled the other day when David walked in. I guess I just... I long to be in his arms again. Is that crazy?”
“David barged in on ya? How embarrassing!”
“We were just cuddling on the bed,” I chuckled.
“Just in bed?? I won’t even let Mark on my upstairs level.”
“On the bed,” I nodded.
“Pfsh, on ain’t much better...to a man, a bed is a bed!” she chuckled. And no, you’re not crazy.”
“We were just talking about work... But I do wonder what it’d be like to maybe.. do more with him.”
“Those are normal feelings, I can relate to them. Do more... like go out dancin’?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “What it would be like to.... Kiss him.”
“Well maybe you should give him some signes that yer interested, like flirty smiles and lip puckerin’,” Aly giggled.
“Oh there’s something I have -got- to tell you..but... You gotta promise ya won’t say nothin’. So last night, after I said yes... I told Mark I was scared of tumbleweeds, and that he’d need to walk me home,” she blushed a bit.
“Well we talked some and then.... I told him he weren’t tha only one with surprises that night.”
“You’re not.... Are you?” I looked at her, not wanting to think of another person getting pregnant.
“Am I what? NO, we ain’t doin’ nothin’ even like that. Trin! I uh... Well when I was stayin’ at the hotel... Well the occupant of that hotel room before me left some things... So I kinda kept them... one of which was a really pretty... saloon gal outfit. I ain’t never worn nothin’ like that before.”
“Oh really? I have a few dresses still from those days,” I chuckled.
“Well ya forget I am a preacher’s daughter and I got nothin’ like those.”
“I just danced and served drinks... Nothin’ salacious like that... It was a good way to get information out of men for the paper I was runnin’ at the time.”
“Oh I’m sure it was,” she laughed. But I was so embarrassed by the way he was...staring at me....I just stood there...and I saw some... changes...in him...and kinda....grabbed a blanket off the couch and covered myself.”
“Well hon when you get married you’re gonna have to show him a lot more,” I chuckled.
“I know..but I’m trying to get comfortable with the idea by doing things like this... and uh... He calmed me by saying i was good to him and then, with that blanket on, we just sat there on the couch talking for a while...and then Sandra walked right past my open, no-curtains-on-it window.”
“Sandra?”
“Yeah, that woman that’s been takin’ my stuff and holding me at gunpoint.”
“Sasha?”
“Ain’t that her name? Yes, Sasha.”
“I was glad I came when I did yesterday. I would have shot her if I had to.”
“I know....and I was really surprised that Gerric was being so nice. I was almost certain that she’d been scared off for good though, but she came back. So I asked Mark to stay the night..with him and Rogue downstairs, I felt much safer upstairs.”
“He’s like that... I think he wants to give her a chance to trust him so that maybe he can help her see a better way of life.”
“Well that’s nice of him... but what happens in the meantime with her here?”
“I don’t know if it’ll work though.”
“More robberies and threats? What happens if her gun even ‘accidently’ goes off?”
“Then I’ll have to shoot her.”
“Yes well I got lucky the first time you showed... but what if nobody else is around? Guess that means I still need guns.”
“Then you better learn how to use a gun, Aly.”
“Can you teach me?”
“To use a gun? Sure.”
“Trin...that corset was really tight on my boobs. Everything was just...popping out.”
“Why do you think I don’t wear dresses much?”
“Well it’s different when the popping out part is actually covered... I felt as exposed as a newborn baby’s bottom. Exposed,” she laughed. “Suppose I should try it on daily to get use to it.”
“Mmhmm..”
“Saloon girl outfit..me...who knew.”
“What do you say we take a walk outside?”
“Oh sure. Good ta stretch my legs.”
We walked outside and walked around. It was fairly quiet around town and we talked with Victoria who passed by. Lawrence came into town as well and I was surprised to see him again as it had been so long since I’d seen him before. As we walked further through town I saw Serenity looking up at someone on the roof of the sheriff’s office. I blinked when I saw Tye, working on a flag.
“Enjoying the view, Durden?” I called up.
“You have GOT to be kidding me,” Aly blinked, her mouth falling open.
“Serenity, long time no see,” I nodded to the woman.
“That’s the truth,” she smiled at me.
“I take responsibility for my actions here, don’t you worry.”
“Until you die... then it’s my responsibility,” Serenity muttered.
“I’ll be dead, just leave me for the birds,” he said to her.
“And what exactly is it that you’re doing, Tye?” I asked.
“Why do I keep seeing you??” Aly complained.
Tye pointed to the flag that now said “Ghenna’s Sissies: Hell’s Whiners” and had tears coming from the skull. “What does it look like?”
“I only do that to folks I don’t like. I don’t know ya, so undertaker oath, I gotta bury for them folks who might care and want ta cry,” Serenity said.
“Didn’t know ya’ll took an oath,” Tye said.
“Unwritten oath,” Serenity smirked.
“But we met once before, nearly 8 months back. Ya’ll taken a clock or some mess, I shot ya,” Tye told her and licked his fingers, stepping over the gallows to hop down.
Aly decided to have a seat on the bench. “That’s real mature of you.”
“That’s the past,” Serenity shrugged. “Seem if you wanna live in it, then go for it.”
I sighed, knowing I couldn’t do anything about what Tye was doing on the roof.
“I was a lawman, Alyssa, they was shootin’ up the town,” Tye told her. “You want me to talk real nice to ‘em?” I walked over to the courthouse and called for Krell but he didn’t answer. Coming back out I heard Tye ask me, “Oi, where ya goin’? That’s better,” Tye glanced up at the flag.
“Don’t got any fondness for Rikki’s bunch, eh?” Serenity tilted her head at the flag. She glanced at Aly and said, “Ma’am, lots of folks real odd. Don’t try to understand ‘em, you just gonna hurt your brain doin’ so.”
“Yeah my brain hurtin’ already,” Aly muttered.
“I like Rikki alright. Just figure if she gonna put flags up, I should put my own up,” Tye shrugged.
“Tye,” I said firmly.
“Yeah, I got ya, just a sec,” Tye waved at me.
“Not in a sec. Now.”
“Pushy this mornin’. I’m just about done here,” he grunted.
I pointed to the office beside the sheriff’s and said, “I’ll be in there.” I walked into the office and waited for him to join me. When he walked in I said, “Sit.”
“I ain’t much for just bein’ told to sit, Trin. What do you want that you’re bein’ so damn pushy?” he made a face.
“I want to know what the hell’s going on with you. You’re the one who taught me how to shoot. You’re the one who showed me how to be a good lawman. You’re the one who couldn’t stand these outlaws takin’ over towns. And now you’re one of them.”
“With me? Ya come up to me this mornin’, don’t even say hi, just tell me ‘we need to talk’ and yank me in a lawyer’s office.” He scrunched his nose and asked, “The hell you just say?”
I leaned back at him and said, “I don’t even feel like I know you anymore, Tye.” “
He crossed his arms and said, “You ain’t seen me in close to 8 months, Trin, in that time I been workin’ on my business, not law. What do you think you know of me, eh?”
“You’re own business... Not many people make that drastic of a change in personality... Did something happen?”
“First of all, what are you goin’ on about? I ain’t seen you but once since I been back, maybe twice.”
“You’re puttin’ up flags of outlaw gangs on the sheriff’s office roof, Tye.”
“Hold on a damn minute. That ain’t my flag, Pinky. You see what that mess says? Ghenna damn Marshals. That was up when I got here. I ain’t got nothin’ to take it down. So you get your behind up and go look at it again. Go on. I’ll be right here.”
I folded my arms across my chest, looking at him. “And the raccoons?”
“One ‘issue’ at a time, Pinky,” he pointed outside.
“Fine, you’re right, it said Ghenna Marshals,” I said, remembering the details clearly. “Seems a contradiction in terms, don’t it?”
“You didn’t even look to see what I DID to the damn thing.”
“Enlighten me.”
“That’s a gang’s flag on the Sheriff’s office. I ain’t law no more, so I did the next best thing. I defaced the defacing.” He pulled out his mostly empty jam jar and set it down. “Go look. And that jam’s probably worth more than that gang anyway!”
I stood, humoring him. I walked outside and looked at the flag and read that it said ‘Ghenna Marshals’. I then saw the ‘sissies whiners’ words on the poster plastered on top of the flag. I walked back in and closed the doors.
“We good?” he asked.
“I don’t know, are we? What do you know about Bree’s bakery fire? You’ve been around town a couple times you said.”
“Yeah, I had. That general store’s got better prices than the shop in Tombstone, and some of the liquors at the saloon is ‘close’ to top shelf. I have to make compromises somewhere. So I stop by on occasion. Got a business to run. What do you need to know?”
“What kind of business?”
“My hotel, Trin. You know, the one you used to get free coffee at all the time? I got a new manager for it now, though, gives me a bit more free time.”
“Didn’t know you were around enough to still run that.”
“Well, if you’re askin’ about the hotel, I left it in Abby’s hands. I come back and she’d left without tellin’ me. So the place was in a bit of a fit, sure, but I been gettin’ it caught back up. Had to sell some assets back in Texas - ain’t gonna get into reasons for that - but I got the backin’ financially to get it afloat again.”
“So you don’t know much about the fire at Bree’s bakery here in Diamond?”
“That was this is about? Sure, I know a bit. Just what others do Is suppose, though. Some fella, believe his name’s Gerrick, he smelled smoke or some such. From the saloon? I have no idea how. He ran over to check it out. Me, I finished my drink then went out to check. Some folks ran inside, place was full of smoke, I was tellin’ ‘em to get out before they kill themselves, Peta and I got ‘em out. Gerrick got the fire out in all that smoke, though, no idea how he done that. It was too black to even see inside. We checked folks out, and they breathed some smoke, but was otherwise okay.”
“Sounds like you did what you could then. Gerric is actually my partner now. With the Pinkertons,” I nodded.
“Ain’t even used to havin’ one Pinky around, frankly.”
“Yeah...” I chuckled, lightening up a bit. “Things have been pretty busy around here, so I needed some help. And we work well together. I’ve got about five or six cases going on right now.”
“Well, I been bored as all get out. You want my input, just let me know. You know I’m good for it. Wouldn’t mind looking at some cases. Been restless, considering writing to Washington about if they need Marshal’s again, frankly.”
“What else do you remember from that night? The whole thing’s been kind of confusing. Feels like I’ve been hearing a bunch of different sides of the story and none of them are adding up together.”
“Not much. I had a drink, but I never have more than one in public.”
“Didn’t think you much liked drinkin’ a lot.”
“The whole thing was a bit fishy, but people been out startin’ a witch hunt lookin’ for an arsonist. Don’t make much sense to me before you’ve got the evidence gathered up.”
“That’s why I’ve been trying to talk to as many people as I can. I’ve been meaning to get your account ‘cause I heard that you guys were there.”
“Sure. You got any cases you want to chat about in the meantime?”
I turned, seeing my partner walk in. “Gerric, good to see you. Not sure if you’ve met Tye officially?”
“Actually, we met before.”
“Trin, I ain’t sure I can deal with two Pinks. Makes me itch,” Tye grunted.
I chuckled and said, “See, that’s the Tye I know... Not the one who’s excited to see me over some raccoons.”
“Oh that? Peta and I were havin’ a good time is all, and I couldn’t work that damn machine.”
“No worries Tye...I’ll just let you two talk then,” Ger said.
“No, Ger, stay,” I chuckled but he left the office anyway.
“Peta and I were havin’ a good time is all, and I couldn’t work that damn machine,” Tye explained. “Aly and that fella she was with made a joke, Peta and I ran with it. I’m settlin’ up with the shop owner, though.”
“Uh huh. So there were no raccoons?”
“Didn’t mean to break the damn thing. Just ain’t used to the type of machine. Naw, was just messin’ with ya,” he said and I sighed with a bit of relief. “You didn’t seem to be investigatin’ at the time, if you’d said you were, I was gonna take it a bit more seriously. Always have, I don’t play ‘round with that.”
“So you want to be a marshal again?”
“Been considering it. Not sure if they need someone in the area, but I got time now since I found a solid manager for the hotel.”
“Well believe me we’re keepin’ busy enough.”
“We could definitely use more lawmen. Stuff happens and I have no one to take reports to. Yesterday had to fire a couple warning shots at a girl who had her gun on my partner and Aly. Woulda shot her too but she ran off scared.”
“Who was that?”
“Girl named Sasha. Petty theft I guess... Been doin’ that to Aly a couple times and scarin’ her.”
“Sasha? Again? Damn, I been meanin’ to get after her and put the fear of God, if you believe in that sort of thing, into her.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was tryin’ to do. My partner wants to take the nice guy approach and help her realize she doesn’t have to live that way. But if she has a gun unholstered again I’m gonna take more action than I did.”
“I woulda done put her down, then dragged her to a doc to get stitched.”
“As a Pinkerton, we might not be able to make arrests but we can certainly help protect citizens of the town if we announce ourselves, like I did. I wrote Adrian about it in a wire later and he was proud of how we handled it.”
“Well, someone needs to introduce me to this ‘Sasha’.”
“Might help wake the girl up if you met her,” I looked at him. “You know... It’s good to have you back. And spending more time in Diamond too.”
“Yep, I’ll help where I can.”
“Maybe you can help us with this Sasha situation then...”
“People seem to like my ‘sunny disposition’ a bit better when I also protect them from jackasses.”
“Sunny disposition? You?” I chuckled.
“That’s the joke, Pinky.”
“Like when you said ‘Trin, thank goodness’?” I smiled.
“Somethin’ like that. That bit about the coffee shop solve the case of the rambunctious raccoons?”
“Well we saw no entry points for the coons to get in so I figured that was a joke or a story on your part.”
“Well, least you learned somethin’ from me before. That’s two, what else ya got?”
“Was my partner’s suggestion.”
“Gerric suggested I was tellin’ a tale, huh? Maybe he ain’t as dense as he looks. Maybe.”
“No, Ger suggsted we should check for entry points.”
“Yeah, Peta was flipping out because for once, I’m the one that broke somethin’,” he laughed.
“Cause you broke the machine and that’s the ruckus that Aly heard next door,” I chuckled.
“Yup,” he nodded and motioned outside. “Looks like your partner’s makin’ rounds.”
I looked out and smiled, seeing Gerric talk with everyone. “Yep, he’s good at meetin’ the people. Helps to have a second set of ears around this town...”
“Well, yer both handicappin’ yerself as a Pinky. Takin’ the easy way, ya ask me.”
I shook my head, “We’re doing what we can. You know that bein’ a deputy is too much stress for me. This way I get to work through cases and give it the time it deserves to investigate, without having to right away arrest and shoot someone.”
“Don’t give me that. Only one that does that mess is Kris.”
“That psychotic dolt believes he’s a coyote or some shit.”
“Fine, you’re right. But you know me. I’m better with the story, not the gun,” I nodded.
“Well, we can agree on that.”
“Though I’ve been getting more confident in that area too. Besides, people talk to us more than they do to deputies anyway. And it helps build better cases for court since I’m a prosecutor there as well. I’m six and 2, you know.”
“I can see that. Some folks just don’t like talkin’ to a badge,” he shrugged. “Mainly because some badges are just fools anyhow.”
“And you know why I’m six and two? Cause I know how to get the full story without people fearin’ that I’m gonna arrest them.”
“Well, sure. What other cases you got anyhow? Anythin’ I know about? Sasha one of ‘em?” He motioned outside to Gerric again and said, “See Trin, makin’ the rounds.”
“He’s good, what can I say?” I chuckled, seeing him talking with Victoria and a child out there.
“What do you know about Mayor Krell?” I asked.
“Personally?”
“Anything.”
“Not much. He has a certain affinity for flashin’ money around, wearin’ skimpy ladies’ clothin’ and wooin’ anythin’ with an extra hole between its legs.”
“Some of the citizens are concerned about his sanity when it comes to town decisions.”
“Hell, he’s brought more life to this town in a few weeks than I’ve seen some folks do in years. He may bankrupt the place, but for now, you gotta invest in a ghost town to bring it to life.”
“That’s for sure. Is one of the reasons I moved back. Plus it’s nice to live in more than just one room, if ya know what I mean.”
Aly walked into the office then and asked, “Excuse me, Trin, ya need any wood?”
“Wood? Now that I think about it... Guess I should get some for that fireplace upstairs, eh? Now that I think about it... Guess I should get some for that fireplace upstairs, eh?”
“Yeah, helps,” she snickered.
“Sure, why don’t you get me some, hon,” I smiled. “Aly have you seen Sasha today?”
“No, last night most recent. I really hope she weren’t lookin through my window when she passed. Ok, gonna go get that wood now.”
“Mmhmm,” I smiled and she headed out of the office.
We walked outside then and Tye asked if I an office in Diamond. I led the way and we said hi to Gerric who was watching the black cat in front of the courthouse. Krell and Bree ran by and I wondered what they were up to, as they were certainly spending more time together. I showed Tye my office and he asked, “I keep hearin’ about a trial. You have any part in that?”
“No, no personal part. Unless they call me to be prosecutor. It’s a case with Lisa Jones, for shootin’ and robbin Kris if I read the statement correctly.”
“Oh good. I want to see this. I’ve got a beef with those two.”
“They’re asking for a judge and a prosecutor for the trial,”I said.
“I’ll head down,” he shrugged. “You do your uh, lawyerin’ thing.”
“Alright, gonna get changed and head down to the courthouse.”
“Yup,” Tye waved and stepped out of the office.
Tombstone.
I received the telegram that a prosecutor was needed so I reported to the courthouse and took my seat at the prosecutor’s desk. Lisa Jones came in and sat beside me as her lawyer, Jimmi Rubble, took a seat as well. We waited for the judge to arrive and Tully came to take the bench as the jury filled quickly. Tully asked if we were satisfied with the jury and Jimmi asked for Lil to be taken off since she was a witness. When she had returned to the gallery, Tully began the proceedings.
“Will the defendant please rise, you have been charged with the following Crimes ........ what is your plea?” Tully asked.
“Your honor, to the charges of Revenge shooting, my client pleads not guilty,” Jimmi answered.
“Shooting law without Killing, Revenge Shooting, Robbery, weapon unholstered in town, weapon used in a crime...” Tully tossed the paper up and looked to Lisa. She lowered her head and then smiled sweetly at the judge and shrugged. “Prosecution...opening statements?”
I stood and walked over to the jury, smiling at them. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to discuss a revenge shooting on marshal Kristoff Jameson by the defendant, Lisa Jones. The defendant made threats on the marshal and then robbed him. In this clear cut case, I ask that you find the defendant guilty of all charges against her.” I finished and sat back down.
“Thank You.. Defense?.. opening statements?”
Jimmi stood and walked over to the jury and I wondered which approach he would take. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, My client is facing the charge of Revenge shooting. All I can say at this point is she is not guilty and I am sure you will find that is your verdict when you are asked to consider the testimony. Thank you.”
Jimmi sat down and Tully asked me, “Now.... Prosecution.. have you any witnesses you would like to call?”
I looked around for Kris and then said, “Your honor, as the marshal himself is not able to be here because he’s busy protecting the citizens of this town, I would like to read his sworn statement.”
“Please... continue.”
I read from the statement, “I was in town when the defendant walked up and demanded her money back from an earlier crime. When I ignored her she made threats and pulled a gun on me shooting me in the leg. she then robbed me of my cash and badge. I then confronted her in Kate’s and arrested her after she gave up. SIGNED: tombstone marshal kristoff jameson”
“Coyote-man needs to learn to write a bit more details,” Tye muttered from the front row of the jury and I couldn’t help but agree with him silently.
“Thank you.. have you any more witnesses, Miss Prosecutor?”
“No Sir,” I shook my head.
“Thank you,” he nodded. “Defense... have you any comments to this statement?”
“I have no challenge to the sworn statement of Marshal Kristoff Jameson,” Jimmi answered.
“Thank you.. have you any witnesses you would like to call?”
“Your honor, I would like to call Miss Lil to the stand please,” Jimmi said and Lil walked forward and was sworn in. I noticed both Tye and Ger were focusing more on Paisley playing with her stocking from a spot in the gallery.
“Miss Lil, on the twenty sixth day of last month, did you treat Marshal Kristoff for any wounds?” Jimmi asked.
“Yes sir and everyday before and after,” Lil answered and I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
“Just the day in question, please, Miss,” Tully instructed.
“Just on that day, his statement to the court says he was shot in the leg. Is that correct?” Jimmi asked.
“Yes Sir.”
“How was he brought to you? Was he carried?”
“No sir. I went to him.”
“So he walked to you, couldn’t have been a life threatening wound. Thank you Miss Lil, no further questions.”
“Thank you,” Tully nodded.
“I also was there when he was shot, Jimmy,” Lil added and I blinked at that.
“Prosecution? Would you like to cross examine?” Tully asked.
“Oh, well, if you could tell what you saw please?” Jimmi asked. “I only knew you had treated him.”
“One moment, Miss Prosecutor, forgive me,” Tully said and I nodded to the judge, waiting.
“The marshal was sitting in his chair outside the jail,” she explained and I thought to myself, ‘like always.’ “TJ demanded his and Lisa’s bail money back. The marshal never said anything. Lisa drew her gun and was twirling it around, and it went off. The bullet hit the marshal in the leg. That is when he responded. It was an accident.”
“As a shot in the leg would do,” Jimmi nodded.
“She was not aiming at anyone.”
“Thank you,” Jimmi said and sat down.
“Thank you... Prosecution?” Tully offered.
I walked over to Lil and said, “Hello Lil. I just have one question for you. Who drew their weapon first, was it Lisa or Kris?”
“Kris was asleep it was Lisa who drew first but didn’t aim it an anyone.”
“Another question actually. You said that you had to go over to him to heal him, but that you were there when it happened. How far away from the interaction were you when it happened?”
“He sent me a smoke signal to come to the village to tend him, so I wasn’t there.”
“I’m sorry, your honor, I’m confused. Lil, you said that you witnessed Lisa twirling her guns and hitting Kris in the leg by accident, and then you said that you had to respond to a smoke signal and went to him. Can you clarify that, please?”
“Kris ran away. I didn’t have time to treat him before.”
I looked at her in confusion. “At which point did Kris run away? When his leg was wounded?”
“They exchanged a few words and he took off down the street.”
I shook my head and said, “No further questions your honor.”
“Thank you, Miss Prosecutor,” Tully nodded and Lil was invited to sit back down.
Jimmi asked for his client to come to the stand and Lisa was sworn in. When ready to begin, Jimmi asked, “Miss Lisa, please can you give the court your account of this ....revenge shooting.” He tried to stop himself laughing by coughing quietly.
“Well Sir, me and TJ, well... we like to tease ole Kris cause he gets so flustered. I mean hell, once he even shot himself on count of it. And when we seen him sittin’ over at the jail with his feet all propped up, we figured he was probably sleepin’ like always so... We went over to rob him and take his badge, to get him in trouble and then have a few drinks over at Kate’s on him. Just ‘cause that’s what we do,” she shrugged and I rolled my eyes at that. “I mean... Me and TJ, well, we like ole Kris and we just showin’ a little affection the only way we know how.”
Jimmi walked up to the Bible and tapped on it with his finger. “Was there any vengeance in your mind when you shot him?”
“Oh no, sir. None at all. If anything I think ole Kris might be tryin’ to get back at me for teasin’ him so much.”
“His statement says you were arrested before you shot him. is this true?”
“I can’t really remember.. when or what but I do remember he had just recently arrested me for something I didn’t even do.. but I went ahead and went a long with the poor ole fella. Paid my fine so he’d look good,” she shrugged.
“My final question, you robbed him of his money and badge? No matter, I recall you have mentioned this already.”
She lowered her head, “Well, yeah... that’s what we do... but where’s the revenge in that?”
“Thank you,” Jimmi nodded and walked back to sit at his desk.
“Prosecution? Cross examine, if you please,” Tully instructed.
“Was there anyone else around when your gun went off and hit the marshal in the leg?” I asked.
“Well yes ma’am... There was um... Miss Lil, and there was another woman too but can’t member her name. And um... TJ was standin’ there.”
“Oh really? Then did you witness the marshal sending a smoke signal for Lil?”
“Well... I didn’t see no smoke signal but i did see him run off like a wounded pup.. and I was screaming after him that I was sorry that it was an accident. I even tried to help him but he was angry.”
“Did you or did you not demand your money back from an earlier crime?”
“No ma’am. Never did get it. I was too worried ‘bout poor ole Kris.”
“So you’re saying that a US Marshal lied in his sworn statement?”
“Well.. Ma’am.. I’m sayin’ he must have cause I’m poor as a church house mouse and he is angry.”
“No further questions,” I said and sat back down.
Tully thanked me and Lisa walked back to her seat beside Jimmi. Tully asked if we had any more witnesses but we did not so he invited us to give our closing statements.
I walked over to the jury and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, our medical expert Lil agreed with the statement from the marshal that he was indeed shot in the leg. She went to his aide as he was unable to get up. She also witnessed the interaction between the defendant and the marshal about the bail money. She said saw Lisa draw her gun and twirl it around. She then said that she saw a smoke signal and went to attend to Kris’ wound... I ask you, folks, how could the marshal have run if he had a wounded leg? Not only that, but the defense admitted to wanting to rob the marshal and take his badge, as per the marshal’s statement. However the defense did not admit to asking for bail money to be returned from a previous case. Due to the confusing statements from the defense’s witnesses and the clear report from the marshal of this town, I ask that you call Lisa Jones guilty of all charges.”
“Thank you. Defense? Closing?” Tully asked as I sat down.
“Dear members of the Jury, the life of my client rests with your decision. The future of this newly wedded woman hangs in the balance, here on this day, in this court and I acknowledge the pressure you face sending her to the gallows condemned to die, or out the front door as a free woman to continue her life with her husband. Yes, my client is a feisty, playful woman who enjoys having fun, living her life to the full. is that a crime? What she has done here is tease Marshal Kristoff to the point where he has charged her with Revenge Shooting simply because it is a hanging offense. There was no revenge from my client Miss Lisa. The prosecution cannot produce records of any previous arrest because there are no records of any previous arrest. I can say this because I am the man who writes the summons to court and I have only ever issued a summons to my client for this revenge shooting charge. My client is here! she is sitting there and I am defending her against this unjustified abuse of charges set on her by Marshal Kristoff. If there should be anyone charged with revenge it should be the Marshal, not my client. Members of the Jury, I trust you have heard the case for the defense and you will return the only verdict you can, which is a verdict of Not Guilty to revenge shooting.”
Jimmi sat back down and I rolled my eyes at that, frustrated with the lack of law in this town to produce substantial reports. I had the feeling I had already lost the case and sat quietly while the jury went to deliberate. While we waited, TJ started to whistle Dixie and I paled at the sound of that song but regained my composure as the jury came out.
When Tully asked for the verdict, they declared Lisa not guilty of revenge shooting. I walked out of the courtroom with Gerric and tried to keep my composure until we were standing in front of the office in Tombstone.
“We need some damn good lawmen around here. Without accurate reports that give full accounts, the jury’s going to side with the outlaw every time.”
“That’s what I was sayin’ in there... You didn’t have the proof. She aimed and shot.”
“I had nothing to work with,” I nodded. “All I could do was try to discredit the witnesses. For the record...” I nodded to the building we stood in front of. “This building here is our main office. We can use this for interviews that happen in this area, and the other one for stuff in Diamond.”
He followed me upstairs and hugged me tightly after he looked around the room. “You did good in there, need to talk to the dang Marshall bout his reports.”
“Right, good luck getting two words out of him,” I hugged him tighter.
“If he’s awake,” he said and I nodded grimly.
We decided to head back to Diamond where Gerric started to set up furniture in his new apartment.
***
Diamond.
I walked into Diamond tonight after hearing that Tye had been made sheriff. I knocked on the door and he opened it. He was holding a stack of books in his arms and said, “Oh, Pinky. I uh, I’m a bit busy.”
“Wanted to congratulate you and give you the rest of the information on the other cases.”
“Just stack it up here...” he sighed.
“Figure you usually ain’t around during the day so I have to catch you in the evening. Are you alright?” I looked at him with concern.
“I’ll be fine. Just a lot to catch up on,” he motioned to the books he was carrying.
“I see that... I can tell you thinks so you don’t have to read more though.”
“Well, I’m off home to get changed and read a bit, if you want to talk about it.”
“Do you want to be on the same page or would you rather do all the work on your own?” I looked at him.
“Well, I’d appreciate bein’ briefed, but I will be takin’ pinkerton evidence with a grain of salt, you understand.”
“Nothing’s changing then. I thought we were finally going to be working together,” I sighed.
“Are you comin’ to my place to brief me or not, Trin?”
“Yeah, lead the way.”
“I’m standin’ here with a load of books, hell,” he kicked the door shut and led the way to his place in Benson.
Benson.
“Mind the door?” Tye asked and I opened the door for him, looking around.
“Nice place,” I said, looking around the living room.
“Alright, let’s hear it. Talk loudly, I’ll be up changin’.” He walked upstairs and I leaned back against the chair.
“Alright... Well... Some ore was stolen at my gig in Bisbee last week. Long story short, we ain’t sure who took it but we have several suspects. Then the mayor’s wife was kidnapped and came back all fine but now somethin’s going on with Mr. Mayor wearin’ women’s clothing... Then you know about the bakery fire and the raccoons at the cafe that didn’t exist more...”
“Hold on, ya’ll are investigatin’ the mayor wearin’ a can can?”
I sighed a bit, knowing that the main suspect for those two cases was upstairs wearing a sheriff’s badge on him. “We’re just looking into his activities. We’re concerned about his sanity.”
“Because he dressed in a cancan? Or more than that?”
“Then there’s a woman who’s son is missing but we just have names, and haven’t seen any of ‘em around. I think that covers it.”
“What about this Sasha lady?”
“Right... You know everything about that too.”
“I do? You don’t know anything about this woman?”
“Nope. Ger’s got the case so you’ll have to talk to him. And you might want to talk to him about the stuff with the mayor’s girl.”
“Leah? Leaf? Whatever her name is?”
“Leigh.”
“He’s got a few it seems anyhow.”
“My point is, Tye... Ger and I have been working together on this stuff so I want you to go to him for information as well. We can all work together if we do this right.”
“I don’t know him.”
“Deal with it. You’ve got two Pinkertons, and he’s good.”
“Get it straight, Pinky, he has to deal with me,” he said and I sighed, knowing this wasn’t going to go over well. “How well do you know him, anyhow?”
“Been working with him for about a week now. I trust him. That should be good enough for you, for as much as my opinion counts around here.”
“I’ll make my own judgements. He’s an eager sort, maybe too eager.”
“He wants justice like I do. We both want the truth.”
“Sometimes, there’s a difference,” he said and I muttered something incoherent. “I didn’t hear that one, Pinky.”
“Look, I may be out of practice, but I’m still me. I’ll get the job done. This is only goin’ to work as well as you can trust me.”
I shook my head, starting to pace a bit but then told myself to stand still. “Trust you?! Tye, you’ve been the focus of the past two weeks, damn it. And now you waltz in here, take a badge, and the work we’ve done for the past few days is gone.”
“Of course I have, people see an old Marshal come back in town, it’s all people talk about.”
“Of course you have what? Tye we’ve got witnesses, dang it. We’ve got evidence. And now... It’s just wasted and we’re supposed to trust that you’re one of the good guys again.”
“Good guys? Just because I wasn’t wearin’ a badge don’t mean I was suddenly a bad guy, Trin. I got busy, I had family issues, why’s everyone gotta get on my case about that?”
“And the bakery? You mean to tell me you’re tellin’ me the whole story there?”
“What is there to tell? You know somethin’ I don’t? I didn’t look too close, ain’t my job, well, wasn’t my job rather. You know how many amateur cooks set restaurants on fire? She left the place unattended. And I been by her new place, she’s tryin’ cook way too much at once. It’s an art, not a damn production line.”
“So you think that Bree set the fire herself accidentally. Why was there two whiskey bottles there huh? And why was there a match there from the saloon that people saw you take?”
“I took peanuts, nothing more. Damn place didn’t have pistachios. Hell, as a business owner I can imagine that stress getting to you.”
“Tye, I ain’t stressed, I’m frustrated. You think it was easy for me to hear that people thought you set the fire? You’re the one who taught me how to shoot. You’re the one who taught me how to be a better deputy. You’re the one who..”
“You think I changed that much? Since the last time we talked?”
“I didn’t know what to believe, Tye.”
“Naw, I meant Bree. Probably kept it under the counter for herself.”
“I didn’t want to believe it. I still don’t.”
“Then don’t. Ain’t that hard.”
“Everyone’s sayin’ it was you. The evidence is sayin’...”
“We’re s’posed to work together now. Tell me about your witnesses. You know how many folks have it out for me? How many folks would love to see a retired law man go down?”
“This would be a lot easier if you were down here and I could see you, you know.”
“Fine, I’m comin’ down.”
“Talk to me. What is it you’ve got against me? Man’s got a right to defend himself.”
I watched him walk downstairs and took a deep breath. “Before the fire, people saw you two arguing about how the bakery wasn’t as good as it was anymore. Folks saw you go behind the counter, get a match, and go out for some air.”
“First of all, only person near me was Peta. We was arguin’, sure, my business was doin’ rough when I first came back.”
“We found two whiskey bottles at the bakery. Broken. And the match. We later looked at the matches in the saloon, and haven’t been able to get with the mayor to see if they match.”
“Lots of new competition about.”
“Leigh, Desi, Katie and Ger were all there.”
“But my cookin’ and my hotel speaks for itself, and I’ve found a good manager to take care of the place.”
I looked at him, “Tye.”
“Leigh was talkin’ to Katie. Desi was drunk off her ass. Who says I got a match? I ain’t never needed a match for nothin’.”
“Peta stayed in the lounge, Ger said. She was at the bakery the night before asking questions. Got nervous when he said that he had information for me.”
“Got nervous? You do remember Peta, right? Short, acts strange pretty much all the time?”
“After the group was standing around, Ger said he asked you how the smoke was but you said you didn’t smoke.”
“Define how Peta would act ‘nervous’.”
“I’m just tellin’ you what I know, Tye,” I shrugged.
“Right, I don’t. And I’m answerin’.”
“Apparently Peta was askin’ how the bakery was doing now and the business has picked up since the fire.”
“You’d rather her lie?”
“Facts, Tye. That’s what I’m giving you right now.”
“People want pastries. One burns down, the other has to pick up the slack.”
“And all these facts point to me, is what you’re sayin’.”
“Like I said, I don’t want to believe anything for sure yet but it sort of looks like it, yeah.”
“Let’s see then. Because 1, some drunks said they saw me grab a match - I’d like to hear who said that. 2. I was upset about my restaurant doing poorly - when everyone knew the place had been practically abandoned. 3. Peta - which I still find absurd - was acting ‘strangely’ and 4. I said I don’t smoke? Is that what I’m hearing?”
“There’s something else, Tye... Ger found a scent of accelerate by the stove... it led over onto the counter. Smelled like kerosene. He found an empty lamp under the counter too, with a burnt mach near it, and a harden clay footprint by the window. He said he thought they tried to make it look like an accident since the trail either started or ended where the stove was.”
“Kerosene?”
“The next day, Bree’s got a brand new shop with newer and bigger equipment. That’s what he said.”
“See, Trin, you’re standing there telling me ‘facts’, then leave out the convenient parts that cut me out as a suspect. Is that really fair?”
“Give me a break, Tye. This is all a little overwhelming and it’s been a ridiculously long day,” I sighed.
“I’ll give you a break if you give me mine. Is there anything else, anything at all?”
I blinked and looked at him. “Tye... Leigh saw you take two bottles of whiskey from the saloon and you said you were going to the bakery.”
“I have a bakery, Trin. The whole reason I was in Diamond was to get supplies. I had bought some things at the general store, and some whiskey, then went to take them to the hotel so I wouldn’t forget. When I got back, I had some nuts, then Gerrick started talking about smoke.”
“I’m just saying, Tye... Either story would be plausible if you look at it from both sides. That’s why I’m not saying one way or the other right now.”
“I get it. You’re doin’ your job. I can appreciate that,” he said and I blinked, surprised to get accolades for once. “Look. One more question, then I need to think on this a day or so before we talk again. I like to sit and have some tea while I contemplate an investigation.”
“What’s your question?” I nodded.
“Was Gerrick a Pinkerton before or after this investigation started?”
“The first time he brought up the bakery incident, it was before. But everything after that first conversation was when he was wearing the badge. He investigated things with questions that looked at every angle, even when I was in turmoil over the fact that you had become a suspect. He was unbiased at the time. Had barely just got to town.”
“I see. That’ll be all for today then, Trin,” he nodded.
“Don’t discount him, Tye. He’s good, and I am proud to be working with him or I wouldn’t have given him the badge.”
“So let’s get this business behind us and show the town how law is supposed to work. Yeah?”
“Something we firmly agree on. I lost a trial today because of useless law reports. I’d like to see that not happen again.”
“I seen most of that. He’s on my shit list. Goodnight, Trin.”
“Get some rest, Sheriff. Goodnight,” I nodded and walked outside.
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