Black Diamond.
This morning I woke up and pet Taz, who was laying by the fireplace. I fed him some food and water and then walked downstairs with him close behind. I knocked on Aly’s door and called, “Aly? Are you awake?”
“I’ll be right there I’m gittin dressed!” she called down.
“Alright. Meet me over at the saloon!” I called back and waved good morning to Bree as I headed down the street.
I sat at the bar with my notebook and began to work on cards from yesterday’s events, drinking my coffee as I worked. The door swung open and Aly and Victoria walked in. “Morning Vic, Aly.” Aly was rubbing her temples and I looked at her, “You alright there Aly? Look like you could use a coffee.”
“Ugh I had a really bad night,” she said, sitting at the counter.
“What happened?” I looked at her with concern, knowing that my night wasn’t much better.
“Well uh... I actually gave in and had a few drinks.... and I don’t remember who I was with or what I done... Except that Mark was there.”
“Hangover, huh?” I shook my head.
“Yeah. I’m really not use to drinking Trin. That was the second time I’d been drunk! Ever!” she said a bit louder. “Oops... a bit loud there.”
I chuckled and handed her a coffee. “Drink this. It’ll help.”
She sipped the coffee and her head fell forward against the bar very slowly. Tye came into the saloon and grunted, “The hell’s all this shoutin’ about?!”
I heard Taz bark and looked over, “Morning, Sheriff.”
“Don’t like knowing what I gone an done,” Aly sighed.
I pet Taz and drank my coffee. “Tye, have you met Taz? The Pinkerton guard dog,” she winks
He sniffed, “Naw, but I can smell ‘im. Unless...” he looked at Aly.
Aly tilted her head to the side and looked at Tye. “Ya know, I gotta hand it to ya sir. You did very well on yer first day. Shooting. and whatnot.”
“It’s alright, boy,” I chuckled and pet Taz as he growled. I looked at her and asked, “Shooting? I miss something?”
“If only it was my first day,” I shrugged.
“Tha hell Tye, I bathe!” Aly told Tye and then told me, “Yeah Trin, I ain’t got there yet. Mac been shot.”
“Really...” I raised an eyebrow. I watched as Tye took a wide berth around the dog and approached the counter. “What happened with Mac?” I looked at Aly.
“He tried to shoot me,” Tye shrugged.
“Dunno...only thing I know is that some outlaws weren’t happy with some other outlaws bout that hearin ‘ yesterday.”
“What happened next, well, you can guess,” Tye said.
“Oh. wait. YOU.. killed him?” Aly asked.
“Yeah, I know you well enough. You don’t like gettin’ shot at.”
“Who does!” Aly exclaimed.
“I did, yes,” Tye nodded.
“Glad you survived your first day then.”
“I’d shot him in the gut, then went to arrest TJ and Lisa.”
“Heck I don’ even like gittin a gun pointed at me...speakin’ of which, late last night after ya left Tye that Sasha woman came back. Right as I was leavin tha clinic. When I told her I wasn’t in tha mood. she left and said ‘see ya tomorrow’ ugh. really need ta git me them guns,” Aly said.
“Mac had gotten up and started runnin’. Limpin’, of course... Tripped him a few times, but he was just killin’ himself.”
“You arrested TJ and Lisa for what?”
“Told him I’d end it if he didn’t stop. He didn’t stop. I’m a man of my word.”
“Sasha. She’s on my shit list. I hope to meet her today,” Tye said.
“Would love to be a fly on the wall for that.”
“Maybe she has a thing for women loggers,” Tye shrugged and Aly stared at him.
“Or she jes wants my things. She already got my boots. Ain’t like that. women not my thing, make sure you clean them ears of yers out ta hear that.”
“Aly how did that wood gatherin’ go yesterday?”
“Fine. I got quite a bit of lumber. My oven set for a few days. got Gerric some for his hotel...gave me a big ol smile he did... and uhm...I put some out front oh your house.”
“Great, thanks,” I smiled.
“Anytime. I don’t mind. back when Bob was managin’ this here saloon I’d bring him some too.”
“Oh I haven’t talked to him in a few days... He doin’ alright?”
“I ain’t one to judge, Aly. But I am one to get your boots back,” Tye shrugged at Aly. “I haven’t seen him in a while. He’s been all oogly eyes over Gigi and I’m sure they eloped somewhere,” Aly snickered.
“I’ll hang out in town much as I can today. Maybe even slip off my badge to lure her into a false sense of security.”
“Oh. well ain’t ya got more important things to do than dealin’ wit my petty bully?” Aly blinked at him.
“A ‘petty’ bully is exactly the kind of mess I intend to stamp out like the roach she is. Folks should feel safe in their own town.”
“Well jus as a heads up, she gets all sweet and chatty, then close enough ta git her gun against ya. And you got her description right?”
“Naw, but now that I have a badge, let me hear it,” Tye said.
“Well she jes shows up! I’ll be walkin home....and she’s always on the corner by my house. Right there next to the church. A’giht well she’s a bit taller than me, long darkish hair, an I always seem ta notice her in a green, or is it blue? Dress....Trin ya remember which one?”
“In a dress, eh?” Tye nodded.
“But... tha most distinguishing feature of her is that she has on.... glasses. Well I ain’t never seen her in pants. But a dress more like them outlaw girls might wear and less fancy-like,” she stood and went behind the bar to refill her coffee.
“Can I get a refill too?” I held up my cup.
“Well. I’ll certainly keep an eye out,” Tye nodded, jotting that down.
“Of course, and uh anythin’ for you sheriff since I’m back here?”
“Naw, I’m awake enough. Watched Paisley dance a bit this mornin’,” Tye said.
“Don’t need any more heart stammers.”
I took the coffee from her and sipped it slowly, “Thanks hon.”
“Sure thing,” she smiled and then blinked at Tye, “Ain’t ya an Peta patched things up last night?”
“Oh, sure. We made up a few times last night.”
“Yeah... no... you two are weird. Whatcha do, fight in between?”
“Don’t believe I should get into too many details there, Aly.”
“Right! None of my business,” she said and looked at me, “Well Trin I was gonna say Mark was very upset over Mac bein’ shot, guess they were close. So I uh... Told him ta stay wit his family and I came home alone which felt weird... strange.”
I looked up from my notes and said, “I’ve known Mac a long time.”
“Already had one fella come and try to take revenge for their friend,” Tye said. “Had to show him the door, too.”
Aly blinked at Tye “Two people in one night. Who else ya kill?”
“Kill? Just Mack. TJ and Lisa had to be shown the door twice, though.”
“Oh,” she nodded.
“Conman, talked him down after I got some Laudanum in him. They ain’t the brightest.”
“TJ and Lisa are shown the door a lot,” she snickered.
“I do tend to enjoy their company...and uh...come to think of it... I think I remember them being there in the saloon last night when I....indulged. a bit.”
I copied the dialogue from the two days that I had dealt with Sasha and handed them over to Tye. “Here, this might help with your dealings with Sasha.. I logged my interactions with her thus far. Thankfully I’ve only run into her those two days.”
“I think I remember them being there in the saloon last night when I....indulged. a bit.”
“Thanks. This will do me well in finding her,” Tye took the notes and said to me.
“I tend to yell at her too when she’s around... which... you seem to be attuned to hearing,” Aly snickered.
I looked at Tye and said, “Please talk with Ger about this too? He really has an interest in helping set her straight.”
“Set her straight? The hell kind of mess is that? This Sasha, he got an eye for her?”
“No... but I think he is wanting to help her,” Aly put in.
“I’ll set her straight. Few bullets’ll straighten her right out.”
“Tye,” Aly looked at her.
I shook my head and said, “He doesn’t have those eyes for her. He just cares, Tye.”
“If yer gonna be meetin’ with Ger least hear him out. But I’m with you on that.... only way she won’t bother nobody is if she’s not alive to do it no more. Still. That’s harsh,” Aly said.
“You both know damn good and well that I care too,” Tye looked at us.
“She needs the fear put into her. Like I did the other day and she ran,” I nodded. “I know, Tye.”
“But sometimes the soft touch just gets people killed,” he said.
I nodded and said, “I know that too.”
“True... time and place for them soft touchs,” Aly laughed and I coughed, nudging my friend.
“Sorry Trin, I couldn’t resist.”
“It ain’t when guns are involved,” Tye said.
“Why do you think I fired at her feet, Tye?” I looked at him. “I wasn’t gonna let her hold up my partner and best friend.”
“That’s true, an she already gone an pointed one at me. Several times,” Aly said.
“Thank you, Tye,” I smiled.
“Oh my, a compliment. Nice ta see yer in a good mood sir,” Aly said.
I reached down to pet Taz and smiled at Aly. “He has them occasionally.”
“But, she had two unarmed folks and a Pinky who really don’t like to shoot,” Tye said. “If she had any proper experience with firearms, all three of you could have been put down.”
“Yeah... about that... I need to get myself armed,” Aly said.
“I’m getting better. I’ve shot a man who had his gun pointed on women and children. I’ll do it again,” I looked at Tye.
“I know you will. But if he was usin’ the child as a shield? Or your friend?”
“TJ couldn’t believe I actually did it,” I said.
“It was TJ?” Tye asked.
“No, he was there watching,” I shook my head. “In the clinic, I mean. When I was telling the story.”
“Trin ya able ta teach me how to shoot?” Aly asked.
“Either way, TJ is gonna have a rough time in Diamond from now on,” Tye said.
I smiled at Aly and looked over at Tye. “See that? She’s asking me to teach her how to shoot. That’s gotta mean somethin’.”
“Well, you gonna teach her?” Tye grinned.
“Yeah but... it’s comin’ from someone that doesn’t know how to shoot,” Aly said.
“Yeah. Maybe today we’ll go up to the gun range.”
“Oh well, might help to actually GET guns first,” she chuckled.
“You said last night, Tye, times have changed. This is a clear example,” I winked.
“Well I ain’t. Much.”
“Thank God for that,” I chuckled.
“Oh, if it was still night...” she grumbled something.
“Hmm?” I looked at her.
“Nothing!” she said, looking embarrassed. “I confuse myself at times.”
“All of us, frankly,” Tye said.
“Have you given this beast a name yet?” Aly looked at the dog.
“Yeah, this is Taz,” I smiled at her.
“Oh you said. Sorry I’m uh, a bit distracted this morning.”
“Mmhmm.”
“Taz. I like it. He use ta hearin’ it?” she blinked at Tye. “What?”
He looked over his notes and kept writing his notes. “He is a rather dashing sheriff,” I winked at Tye and smiled at Aly.
“Oh Trin! You should get him one of them scarfs like I got Rogue.. Then he’ll really be dashing, as you put it,” she snickered.
“Ger would kill me,” I said and heard Taz growl.
“Why? Ya ain’t gettin’ him pink. Are ya?”
I laughed and scratched Taz behind his ear. “Nah.”
“Then what would Ger have to fuss over?”
“I don’t think he’s much into scarfs and whatnot,” I smiled.
“Oh not an accessory kinda guy?” Aly snickered.
“I don’t think so,” I smiled.
Aly put her legs up on the counter and stretched and I noticed that Tye didn’t even notice. “You always put your legs up on the counter?”
“Not always, but seein as how someone had me runnin’ last night to look around for a doctor, they are in need of a good stretch this mornin’.”
“I did mention my appreciation,” Tye grunted without looking up.
“Oh I know you did! I jes had to explain why my legs were out as they are now,” Aly said.
“I had five down, three of them under arrest, only two doctors and just me to arrest them,” Tye said.
“I should leave my house in the evenings more often,” I said.
“I know...that’s alot of pressure and...well kinda wanted to tell you last night...” Aly said, “But too many people around. You did very well.”
“That’s why it became such a mess. TJ Got away to Tombstone, Mac fled, but was gonna die the way he was floppin’ about gettin’ dirt and grass in his wound anyhow...” Tye said and nodded, “This ain’t just a job to me.”
“Nothing like that has happened in Black Diamond since I got here, so I ain’t use to such things. I tend ta panic,” Aly said. “I’m jes a preacher’s daughter from the middle of nowhere. We didn’t have these issues.”
“That’s alright. I hope to give folks a friendly little nudge to behave,” Tye said. “They’ll learn, or they’ll get put down before they hit the city limits.”
“Never thought I’d be sayin ‘ this to you, especially not more than once but... Thank you,” Aly looked at him.
“No thanks needed. Its just what I do. I ain’t the friendliest fella, I get that, but I’m here when we need somethin’ that ain’t friendly,” Tye said.
“Understood. Well I’ll try an stay outta yer hair.”
“No need for that, either. I ain’t gonna play fetch for ya, but I’m paid for more than just protection.”
“Well alright then, maybe with me learnin’ them guns I’ll be more beneficial.”
“Together, all of us can make Diamond a place we can all feel at home.”
“People will think twice about making use of you for sport then, Aly,” I said then.
“I sure can fetch my own things, been doin’ it my whole life. Don’t need you, or any man, for the matter, for that,” she smiled and nodded at me. “Would be a nice change.”
“I went without guns for a long time, like Tye knows. But I had to accept that wearing a weapon wasn’t just about shooting other people. It was about feeling a sense of security and power for myself and showing people that I was serious about keeping myself safe. With Tye’s help... I got better at them.”
“Well suppose both of ya could teach me a thing or two then,” she nodded.
“The gun’s a last resort. Always. At the same time, never be afraid to use it to protect yourself,” Tye said.
“Trin yer hair looks pretty all drapey like that in the front,” Aly said then.
“I still hardly have to use it. The other day was the first time I’d drawn a gun since I’d been shot back in August when I was a deputy,” I said and smiled at her, “Thanks, hon.”
“I know it was off tha subject of guns, but I tend ta blab things, however inappropriate, at the immediate time I notice,” Aly chuckled.
“I ain’t noticed such a thing,” Tye said.
“I ain’t afraid of usin guns, just never had a need before now. Oh but now that I mention it,” she laughed.
“You figured out a weapon you’d like to get, yet?”
They started to talk about which weapon to pick for Aly to use. Tye brought up the gun I use and said, “Trin might be able to tell you more about that one. One or two shots.”
“Maybe I should feel them all first to see which one I like tha hold of?” Aly asked.
“Aim for just in front of your target, not right at them, cause the bullets take time to travel. Right teach?” I looked at Tye.
“Alright. That dragoon has some kick to it, and you shouldn’t try and fire it too fast, you’ll get too much kickback, but a reliable sidearm nonetheless. I’m lookin’ at getting me two dragoons, frankly,” he said.
“Kickback...as in me falling back on my tush and make a silly fool of myself? Oh I do that already when dancing,” she chuckled.
“These peacemakers take too long to cycle to the next chamber, limits my rate of fire,” Tye said.
“Do I get a gold star?” I smiled at Tye.
Tye grunted and said, “Ya ain’t a dog, ya don’t get a treat just for doin’ somethin’ right for once.”
I rolled my eyes and pet Taz as he growled. Aly smiled and said, “But treats are nice Tye. Helps improve...morale. Or something.”
“Well, if you two are headin’ to get some shootin’ in, I should head to the office and finish up these reports. If you need my help after I finish, just let me know,” Tye said and we waved as he headed out of the saloon.
I walked towards my office with Taz and saw Ger standing in the street. I tried to get the dog up the stairs but he wouldn’t go. “Ger! Your dog doesn’t like steps.”
“Nope, or doors.”
“Such a man,” I sighed and went over to hug him. “How are ya, partner?”
“Ok I guess. What’s new around here?”
“We um... have to talk.”
“Okay...”
“Want to go inside? Think you can get your dog to follow you?”
We walked inside and I sat at the table, trying to gain the courage to tell Ger the news I had for him, knowing he isn’t gonna like it. “I’ve got good news and bad news for you...”
“I knew it was too good ta last....” he started to reach for his badge.
“No...” I shook my head and reached over to take his hand. “We have a new sheriff.”
He looked up and asked, “Is that the good, or bad news?”
“I’m gonna need your help now more than ever. Kind of both. You’re not going to believe who it is. I couldn’t.”
“Don’t tell me they let David be the Sheriff.”
I shook my head and said, “Tye,” and braced myself for whatever his reaction would be.
Ger looked at me and then started laughing. “Good one... almost had me there.”
“Ger, I’m not kidding. I wish I was.”
He slowly stopped laughing and looked at me. “Come on, this IS a joke...isn’t it?”
“We had a long talk yesterday... A fight really... He wanted me to trust him and I had to tell him about the bakery and how I couldn’t believe that he was now wearing the badge and expected us to trust him. He heard the evidence against him and said that he wants to talk to you about it.”
I stood, starting to pace as I showed my own frustration. Ger slammed his fist down hard on the table and a small crack appeared.
“He said the raccoons... That was just to get a rise out of me,” I said.
“Dang it Trin.. We have him dead ta rights on this arson.”
“You think I’m happy about this? I went to his house last night to have it out with him. He respected that we’ve been doing our jobs and doesn’t want to take away from it. But...” I continued to pace.
“He’s gonna use this to throw out what he have...you know that,” he said, massaging his hand.
“No. No, I won’t let him. He’s better than that,” I shook my head. “Maybe he hasn’t changed. Maybe he’s still the rough lawman I’ve known for almost a year. Maybe...”
“Is he? He burnt the place...he messed up the cafe’ and who knows what else...hiding evidence isn’t much more.”
I kicked over the chair and it made a loud noise. Taz barked and Ger said, “Taz.. hush.”
“We keep working,” I looked at him. “We keep investigating every damn angle even if it points directly at Tye. If it does, we get marshals involved. Right now, there are too many holes.”
“We needs a witness that saw him there that night...no one followed him out of the saloon...”
“You need to talk to him. Man to man,” I said and looked at Ger’s hand, noticing that it was turning a dark shade of purple. “Like I said, we can’t do anything about it. All I can say is... Ger...” I went over and traced a finger around his hand.
“Kinda hard when he is a skunk,” he took in a deep fast breath from the pain.
“Shh... Easy... Maybe we should get you to see a doctor,” I said, taking my other hand and rubbing his shoulder lightly.
“I am a doc...retired...I know what’s wrong...”
“I was up all night over this. I went over everything. Tried to make sense of any of it but none of it does.”
“We need ta see that match the Mayor has.”
“We do,” I nodded. I took his hand and looked at it closer, tracing it lightly with concern. “Ger... seriously.. Let’s get this hand looked at.” I leaned back against the table and took a deep breath, then went to set the chair upright again. I sat down with a sigh as I watched Strider walk past the window outside. “Ger?” I asked in the silence.
“Yeah.”
“Go get that hand looked after. I need to find the mayor. Then we should both find the sheriff.”
He nodded and we walked outside. Lil and Bree were standing with Strider so I left Ger in their hands as I went to search for the mayor. I walked up to his office and could see him walking around but he ignored my knocking and calling out. I became more and more frustrated and stomped back down to the street.
“The hell’s all that racket?” Tye was standing there. He saw me come out of the courthouse and asked, “Pinky? What are you goin’ on about?”
I muttered something incoherent and looked at Tye, “I need to talk with the mayor.” I saw Ger look at Tye and turn his head in disgust and sighed at his reaction, looking between the two men.
“He’ll be out when he’s out,” Tye said.
“He’s been in meetings for days. Seems to have plenty of time for other women.”
“Well, that’s his business. What is it you need? I been talkin’ to him about matters and will be workin’ closer with him as time passes.”
“You know what I need,” I looked at him. “I need facts.”
“Well, you got a real problem there, Pinky. More than I think you even realize,” Tye shook his head.
I sighed, looking at Tye. “I’d just like to have the conversations I’ve been needing to have for days, Tye. You can’t fault me for wanting to do my job.”
Tye looked over at Gerric getting healed by Lil and receiving medication from Bree and looked back at me. “What’d he do to his hand? Get a paper cut?”
“Ger, you want to come over here when you’re done?” I asked him.
“Not really,” he said simply.
“Could you?”
Tye grumbled and narrowed his eyes. “Course he wouldn’t. Doesn’t even carry a firearm. Ain’t no tellin’ how he’d behave in a real crisis, much less talkin’ to the sheriff.”
“What happened to giving him a chance?” I looked at Tye.
“That’s a two way street, Trin.”
“I do fine talkin to a Sheriff ...when I see a real one,” Ger shot back.
“Ger...” I shook my head.
“This, this ain’t gonna end well,” Tye smirked.
“Would you beautiful ladies excuse me, my partner needs me,” Ger said to the women and walked over towards us. I folded my arms across my chest, waiting.
“This ‘partnership’ between pinks and law. Hard enough to just get used to Trin, now we got this young blood here thinks he can woo folks into a false sense of security,” Tye said.
“Now both of you listen,” I said then. “I ain’t playing the middle man here. You two need to talk this out. We’re all on the same side now so let’s try and figure out our differences like grownups, alright?”
“I’m older than you, boy,” Ger shot at Tye.
“Boy? Unless you got grandkids ya ain’t older than me, son.”
“Would have by now if some dirt bag didn’t go and kill a wife at the alter But crooked lawmen like you were paid off and let the scum go.”
“Right. Sure. Yet you still don’t carry a sidearm,” Tye observed. “Pinky, you damn lucky I ain’t crooked. Because Trin’d be without a partner, and she seems happy with one, which I do tend to appreciate.”
“Bull...we have you for setting fire to the bakery...” Ger started. “AND messing up the cafe.”
“Have me?” Tye laughed. “Right. I been over the evidence with Trin. I heard all about how you put together a case against me, then she told me all the REST of the evidence.”
“I know what I saw that day...you were the drunk, not me.”
“But I seen this before. One too many times.”
David tapped me on the shoulder then and whispered, “What’s going on?”
“You go right ahead. Ask everybody in the county. How many times anybody ever seen me drunk in this town,” Tye told Ger. “That’s plain. Never. Ya tryin’ to make a name for yourself.”
“My partner is meeting with the new sheriff for the first time,” I whispered back to David.
“I know exactly WHO ta ask..the same that were in the saloon at the time. This town can’t be so bad we need a criminal as a Sheriff,” Ger said.
“When I weren’t drunk. I had my one flask, and some peanuts. Top shelf in my flask, I never drink to get drunk. Ever.” He glared at me and said, “Pinky, I need to see you before this man gets himself embarrassed.”
“Yes I saw the paper work on him cross my desk,” David nodded and said in a low voice.
“The three of us are talking together,” I sighed.
“We are a team...either both or....” Ger said.
“I ain’t talkin’ to you, greenie. I’m talkin’ to an old friend to make sure she understands what I’m about to do before I do it. And that’s only because of how much I trust HER.”
I looked at Tye and said, “Listen, Tye... Look at it from our perspective and give him a chance. You appreciated how he investigated that cafe. I trust him, so you should give him a chance.”
“We’ll find out. Trin, a private place to talk. Your choice. But, now.”
“Don’t partner,” Ger insisted.
“Tye please,” I looked between them. “Don’t make me beg.”
“Pinky, I have some things I need to talk to you about, in private, involving this case. They should not be aired in public, or with your new partner.”
“Liar,” Ger said.
“Um... Excuse me?” David started.
“We are both on this case,” Ger told Tye.
“You need somethin’?” Tye looked at David.
“Don’t make me choose here. We’re all on the same team. We all have badges. Let’s just talk about this as adults, Tye,” I insisted.
“Yes, I don’t think we’ve met, Sir,” David said to Tye.
“If the three of us need to go sit in your office and do this in private, then we will,” I said.
Tye looked at Ger and huffed, then stepped to David, holding out his hand. “Tye Durden. Former Marine and retired US Marshal.”
David took Tye’s hand and said, “David Norwood. Black Diamond DA.”
“Been asked to step in as Sheriff here, place needed...” Tye told him.
“Don’t gorget to add Arson to your resume,” Ger muttered.
“Real law,” Tye grunted, looking at Ger. He nodded to David and said, “Pleasure, David. Believe we’ll be workin’ quite closely, then. Anything you need, you let me know.”
“Yes sir, but I’m concerned about this exchange.”
“You should be. This rookie detective is accusing your sheriff of a serious crime,” Tye nodded.
“David..maybe you should put out an add for a real sheriff,” Ger said.
“Ok listen your all grown men,” David started.
I sighed and looked between them, “Ger, I told you in the office... We have evidence pointing in all directions. Let’s keep an open mind please.”
“One I been briefed on, and have come to my own conclusions, “Tye stated.
“Of course, and good crook will come up with evidence to point elsewhere,” Ger pointed out.
“We don’t know anything until we match that damn match and the mayor ain’t awake long enough to discuss it with him,” I said.
“We are, David. So I ask to speak to Trin, alone,” Tye said.
“And I said we are a team...talk to one, you talk to us both,” Ger argued.
“That ain’t gonna work with me. Because you’re right. A good crook would be able to come up with evidence... Gerric,” Tye said with a slanted tone.
“I’m asking you, Tye. You know I am an open book with my partner whether we have a meeting together or not,” I said.
“I have witnesses with eyes on me all the time Tye...you can’t say the same thing,” Ger told him.
“Give him a chance to talk with both of us in private and we’ll air everything out,” I pleaded.
“Your decision, Trin. But there are things I won’t share outside your confidence, alone. And believe me, its for your sake, and your sake alone,” Tye told me. “So you come find me when you’re ready to have a real chat. I have actual work to do.”
He said goodbye to David and walked over to his office. I looked back at Ger and said, “Ger, please... I need to know what he wants to tell me. It could be important and if it means clearing things up...”
David looked between us and asked, “Either of you want to explain that?”
“You know I’ll be telling you all the details afterwards anyway,” I reminded Ger.
“I know what he wants...he’s lookin to blame me for this,” Ger looked at me.
“No. I won’t let him. Just let me hear him out, please?”
“He already implied as much. Hand’s throbbin’. I need a drink.”
“I need to have this conversation with him. I don’t know what else I can do. I will repeat everything to you verbatim, I promise. But you calling him names isn’t going to help him trust you,” I looked at him.
“No, but it might make him slip up and say something he didn’t want to,” Ger said.
“Let me talk to him, okay? Like we usually do anyway? I will find out what he wants and we’ll figure this out,” I sighed.
“But this time there is more than flirting, you two have a connection,” Ger looked at me.
I shook my head, “Flirting has nothing to do with it. He is married, somewhat happily. If he wanted to flirt with me he would have been with me a long time ago and we haven’t been together like that ever. I need to have this meeting, Ger. I don’t know what else to tell you. The only way we’re going to get through this is to communicate like adults.”
“I’m saying you could be influenced because of how he was in your memory and he could use that against ya,” Ger said.
I shook my head, “I will keep an open mind and hear him, and not make any judgments as I’ve been trying to do the whole time. Please? Trust me?”
“Gerric how about you and I get that beer while she does?” David suggested. “I need to talk to a detective anyway.”
“Ok David...But Trin...you be careful,” Ger sighed.
“Ger, if I thought you set that fire, do you think I would have hired you?” I asked. “I promise I will be,” I said and walked towards the sheriff’s office.
Peta was sitting at Tye’s desk and I stood back, watching as they talked about spending more time with their kids and celebrating his new job. Peta walked out of the office after they were finished talking and I sat down in the vacated chair.
“Alright, Trin,” Tye started and I took a deep breath, saying nothing. “I see you’re still hopeful in trusting me, which I appreciate. Now, this ain’t gonna be easy to hear, alright”
“You think any of this has been easy to hear?”
“But I need you to do what you do best. Keep open minded, listen, and think. Really think about what I’m about to tell you.”
“I’m listening.”
“Alright. You know me. You know I was with the marines for two decades. For most of that, I was in the naval criminal investigations division. Lot of folks wanted to be part of our unit. We got some of the best benefits. On a few occasions... we’d get new blood in. They’d seemingly be real willing to work, good on paper even. Decent enough test scores. But, they still had to prove themselves. As an investigator, only way to prove yourself is to solve cases. Some of these, well... occasionally we’d get one that just... he seemed to know it all about a case. Or, try to mislead evidence a tad.”
“Tye...” I stopped him.
“Trin, here me out,” he said and I bit my lip, shushing. “They need that case. That one case that shows they can handle the job. So... they set someone up.”
“Like the Clint Houston case was for me.”
“Absolutely, but we both know you didn’t set that dimwit up.”
“I knocked him down,” I winked at him.
“Now step back a moment and think. Remove yourself from everything you know, and just hear me out. Listen to the possibility. Man comes to Tombstone, doesn’t have a job, but hears about investigating. He’d like to become one. Hell, he’s even pretty bright. But, to become an investigator, he’s got to prove himself. But these dimwit outlaws - TJ and the like - they are obvious.”
“I know, Tye. Can I say something?”
“Just a moment, Trin,” he said and I sighed and nodded.
“He could solve 10, 20 cases against TJ. Of course, that’s easy. He needed someone big. Say, a retired US Marshal.”
“Tye...”
“Hold on, let me get to the evidence, Trin,” he leaned back in his chair and I sighed. “A US Marshal with an impeccable record in Tombstone. If he could bring down Tye Durden, he’d be a hero. Thing about a bakery, it’s easy to start a fire. It could’ve been set to start hours before. Easily. It could’ve been set to start hours before. Easily. Yet, he was the first to smell it. He was the first on scene.”
“Okay hold on..”
“And - he knew exactly where to go to put it out. Exactly. Without water.”
“Tye.”
“In pitch black smoke, he stamped out a fire with his boot. And then, during his initial investigation, he told you kerosene. Answer me just one question, Trin. Did you find any evidence of Kerosene?”
“He broke off a piece of wood on the counter and I smelled it. It smelled like kerosene.”
“Right,” he leaned forward again.
“Tye...”
“So. I’m going to leave what I just said with you. I can’t prove it. But the way I see it, you got three suspects.”
“He didn’t even know anyone when that investigation started. He didn’t know who you were or your past or anything.”
“Your Mayor, your Sheriff, and your Partner.”
“Tye. Listen.”
“He says he didn’t.”
“You know how much I wander the streets and how I am always around to meet new people.”
“Yes’m, I know.”
“Not once did I hear of Gerric or see Gerric before that first day of investigation. In any town. You had been long gone. How would he know to set you up in a case against you?”
“He had obviously been in town before that.”
“He didn’t know you were a marshal. He barely even remembered your name. And he called your wife Pita.”
“And if it were me doin’ the same thing, I would conveniently not know the man you’re targetting, too.”
“You’re just trying to turn this on someone else and make me look like the bad guy. Like any other possibly guilty person would do.”
“Trin. I ain’t tryin’ to make you look bad at all.”
“No, Tye. You know me long enough too. You know my instincts on people.”
“I ain’t even tryin’ to make Gerric look bad, either. I’m showing you possibilities. He’s got his eye directly on me.”
“Show me the same respect I’m trying to show you and realize that I chose him to be my partner because I had a gut instinct about him that said we would work well together. And we do.”
“That’s not good investigative work. Trin, listen to me. I’m telling you this in confidence. I ain’t goin’ to arrest him, am I?”
“So what do you expect me to do now? You’ve put me in the middle.”
“I’m asking you, as your friend, to be careful. That’s all.”
“And I’m asking you, as my friend, to trust me.”
“I do, that’s why you’re in here with me.”
“I’ve grown up a lot, Tye. A lot. I’ve been through hell and back.”
“I believe it.”
“I was kidnapped, Tye.”
“And you’ll see that from me. Believe me, part of the reason I took this job - is because you’re here.”
“Alex came to save my life and he got beat down so I saved his,” I started and then blinked at that. “You what?”
“Trin, know if I’d been here, I would have killed to save you.,” he said and I swallowed hard at that.
“I don’t have any reason to leave anymore. Most of my family’s gone, Trin.”
“Tye... It’s been a long time since I’ve trusted someone like I do Gerric.”
“What’s left, I sold most of my business so they could move to Boston.”
“Alex was the last one I trusted this much. Before him was you. My father is gone too, if you remember.”
“Then let’s stop pointing fingers and work together, yeah?”
“And I was almost killed because the guy who killed him came after me.”
“I’m giving this man the benefit of the doubt because of you,” he said and I sighed with a bit of relief. “But he can’t be pointin’ fingers at me, especially in public. Or I’ll run him out of town.”
“You think this news was easy for him to take? Or either of us? The main suspect in a case gets made sheriff while the investigation is still going on. How did you think that was going to be reacted to?”
“Well, I weren’t exactly chomping at the bit to be law again. Your friend is Sheriff, Trin.”
“I know you weren’t, but look at it from his perspective.”
“The Retired Marshal you trust with your life is now your sheriff. Remember that. I do, which is again, why I’m talking to you directly.”
“I know, Tye, I know. But I can’t just ignore facts and write you off as a suspect either. Not when we’ve worked so hard to form this case.”
“That’s fair enough.”
“But I’m not going to create suspects either just to make you feel better. I will be careful, because I agree I need to be.”
“We ain’t here talkin’ about me, Trin.”
“But you’ve gotta trust me too.”
“I don’t give a damn who you pinpoint it on. I’ll take the evidence and do what needs to be done with it after you’re done. I do, Trin. Trust me, if the only law here was Desi?”
“We need the mayor, and we need to match the match we found in the bakery with the ones in the saloon,” I sighed and nodded to his question. “Which it was for a while.”
“I wouldn’t have taken the job. But you’re here, and I know I can count on you. Even back then, I knew. I was just rough to get you rough,” he said and I swallowed hard, fighting back emotion. “You tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it, though.”
“It hasn’t been easy, Tye. I wasn’t rough when you were around.”
“You back me up, I’ll back you up. Well, let’s work together and get this mess under control, yeah?”
I took a deep breath and looked at him, “And what if the evidence leads back to you? What then?”
“Then do what you have to do. I’ll face court if I have to. Wouldn’t be good for a town to see its Sheriff on trial, I’ll admit that. So let’s explore every option.”
“Won’t look good if we have to take the mayor to court either.”
“Not at all.”
“But it’s possible,” I ran a hand through my hair and looked at him. “Tye.”
“Yes’m?”
“Did you set the bakery fire?” I asked him point blank.
“Trin, I have things in my life I regret. I’ve shot folks, killed folks, burned things, blown up things. But, I’ve paid for all of them. Every single one,” he said and I just nodded, though I knew that wasn’t really an answer. “When I come to you now, every day forward is straight to the letter of law. As is expected. You can count on me, Trin.”
“I hope so... Cause it’s been a while since I’ve had a sheriff I could trust. I should go talk to Gerric.”
He stood and offered his hand. “Let that be me again, Trin.”
I fought back emotion and the desire to give him a hug and just shook his hand. I was still not sure if he was responsible for the fire or not, but without any other choice, I just shook his hand and nodded. “And I’ll try and work it out with Gerric. We’ll catch up later. I should finish up these reports anyhow.”
“Okay. Stay safe,” I finally managed and headed out of the office. I walked down the street and saw Ger in front of our office and I took a deep breath. “Can we talk?” He nodded and we walked into the office and sat down.
“Hey partner...how is that snake trying to slither out of this?”
“He’s not,” I sighed. “He’s willing to admit the reality if the evidence points to him. He’ll go to court if he has to.”
“Until he can pin it on someone else.”
I shook my head, “He offered possibilities but didn’t point blame directly. He wants me to keep an open mind and that’s what I’ve been doing. What we’ve been doing.”
“Well..I still want a shot at Peta...see if I can turn her on him.”
“I would love to know how that conversation goes. When I asked Tye straight out if he set the fire he said that he had done things in the past but he had paid for every single one of them. So that could mean anything, which is why I’m keeping an open mind.”
“Yeah, very cryptic answer.”
“Indeed. But I wanted to ask him straight out and see what he said. I wasn’t afraid to do that. Ger...” I reached across for his hand as he was silent.
He sighed, “I know, I know...keep an open mind.”
“He’s going to give you the benefit of the doubt because I trust you. He and I go back a long time. A very long time. He was one of the first people I met here. Am I saying that I don’t think he did it? No. But I’d like to not have to believe that he did either. My point is... In spite of our history and the closeness and how much he respects me for becoming a better detective because of what I’ve gone through... even since he disappeared... I’m still going to follow the evidence. And if it leads right back to him, I will still have to accept that. The mayor is an other possibility... but that’s not the point. The point is... Please keep an open mind while we’re out in public? The two of you going all dual at sunset in the streets isn’t going to help anyone. I’d prefer that people trust us not to let our tempers get involved even when we don’t like the evidence.”
“I will follow the evidence like you, and TRY to play nice with him.”
“That’s all I ask. He has promised that from this point on he will play things according to the law as is expected. I believe him on that and trust that we can trust him. Even if he did set that fire... The evidence will prove it so we won’t have to. I just need you to be on the same page with me. Cause I don’t want to keep standing in the middle.”
“Like I said, I will try, best I can do...this just hits close to home.”
“Ger, you don’t have to tell me that twice. It’s almost as bad as if one of my own brothers had done something like this. That’s how close to home this is hitting for me. And I need you to realize that too. And continue to be the rock you’ve been for me... keeping an open mind,” I said and he nodded. I continued to try and fight back emotion and asked, “How’s your hand?”
“Sore...but the asprin is startin to kick in.”
“Good. Glad we have a few good doctors in the area.”
“And the beer Dave got me didn’t hurt either...” he chuckled.
“Guy time helps,” I smiled.
“Speakin of which...He needs our help with somethin...”
“He does?” I leaned in closely and listened.
“He has a ‘Secret Admirer’ that has left him a present,” Ger said and flipped open his notebook.
“What kind of present?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Seems he came home yesterday with a rose and card nailed to his door saying ‘from Your Secret Admirer’.”
“Go on...”
“He then started to act funny...dizzy, fell...fortunately Miss Myst was there to help him.”
“He acted funny? from seeing the note? What’d the note say? Just ‘from your secret admirer’? Nothing more?”
“That’s what he said...I’m gonna get it from him later, and take a look at the rose to see where it came from...”
“Good idea... Then I’m gonna have to talk to the women in town... I have ta trust you, you haven’t lead me wrong before...it just isn’t easy right now.”
“I know, hon. I know,” I nodded. “But that’s the thing. Tye has never led me wrong before either. So it isn’t easy for me either.”
“I ain’t good be friends...not until I’m sure he didn’t do it.”
“I know, Ger. We just need to work together to prove this whichever way it leads.”
“So this is now our main case? Or we still gonna work the kidnapping one as well?”
“We need to investigate everything equally. I need to get together with the mayor. It’ driving me crazy.”
“Seems as if he is dodging you.”
“Would seem that way, wouldn’t it? Why don’t you check on David... See if he’s okay. I’m going to try and think this over. I’ll let you two talk. I need to lay down for a bit.”
I headed upstairs and lay down while Aly walked into the office to talk with Ger.
***
This afternoon I walked over towards the sheriff’s office and saw a group in front of my office next door. I shook my head, wondering what they were up to and walked over, recognizing Mac, Jewel, and another girl I didn’t know. I watched as Jewel grabbed a bunch of paper and made a pile on the floor in the front of the office. She lit a match and dropped it onto the paper and it started to burn.
I noticed Peta sitting with a book in the new gazebo and asked, “Peta, where’s Tye?”
She looked up from her book and said, “He said he’d be back soon.” She saw the fire and called, “TYE!”
Tye walked into town then and noticed the fire. “The hell? Who set a fire?”
“Tye!” I called when I saw him. “Just walked in on Mac and Jewel setting fire to something.”
Tye, Peta and I ran to the trough with water where we gathered buckets and filled them. Running back and forth between there and the office, we eventually set out the fire. “Damn it, my office too,” I muttered as the flames died down.
“Anyone see anything?”
“It was Jewel and Mac. I saw them standing right here,” I told him.
“You seen ‘em, Trin?” Tye looked at me.
“Saw Jewel and Mac standin’ around. Wasn’t payin’ much attention,” Peta said.
“I watched Jewel throw a match on a pile of papers in front of my office. Not sure what papers, Don’t even think there’s any open cases right now. Not any warrants or anything anyway. I’ll write you a report.”
“Alright.”
“Not sure if we can get Mac on it but I saw Jewel with the match.”
“Step off the street then, Trin. I’ll get her, then.”
“Open your office? I’ll work on the report.”
He opened the door and I sat down to write my witness report while I listened to Jewel, Mac and Tye shout at each other outside. Eventually there were gunshots and before long I watched as the three of them entered the office with Peta close behind. Tye asked me to help search under Jewel’s dress for any weapons so I did so, not really enjoying looking under a woman’s dress, but needing to do my job. I gave Tye my witness report then we started to hear TJ and Lisa yell that they wanted their friends to be released. Aly called in from outside asking if I was alright and I told her I was fine, though the third woman with Jewel and Mac didn’t want us to be shouting back and forth. I finally found out that her name was Lana, though Jewel said it was just a nickname.
Tye went out to take care of TJ who wouldn’t stop shooting at the sheriff’s office windows. He told me to go arrest Lisa so I ran after her but lost her in Bisbee. Knowing that I couldn’t arrest her outside of Black Diamond, I went back to update Tye and headed to my office.
***
This evening I stepped outside for some fresh air and found a flask on the front porch with a note attached to it. I took the note inside and sat down, reading, “Trin and Gerric, take this flask to wherever you have to and get it tested. I was using it the night of the fire. Follow the evidence wherever it leads but something tells me it was tampered with.’”
I blinked at that as Ger walked into the office then. “Ger...” I started.
“Excuse me, I am getting all the evidence for the sheriff to go through.”
“Wait. I have more. Ger, Tye gave us his flask.”
“No thanks, don’t want a drink.”
“He wants us to take it out of town and test it. He thinks it was maybe tampered with but if not it will prove his guilt too.”
“Where is that match you took from the saloon?”
I looked in the cabinet and gave it to him. “Can you take this flask somewhere and test it?”
“I could test it myself...but I don’t have the equipment... Let me think... I think Tempe might have what I need to test it...”
“I know it’ll take a couple of days probably but it could be worth it,” I looked at him and didn’t ask who that was. He looked at the pieces of whiskey glass in his hand. “I’ll focus on our other cases... This one with David... the one with Britt if she ever shows up again.”
“Why would he have these if he had a flask..”
“That’s the question, isn’t it? We need to test that flask,” I shrugged.
He took the flask and opened the top so he could smell it. “Trying to get rid of me hoping I would calm down while I’m gone?”
“No , Ger. Using your strengths,” I shook my head.
He went to throw the glass pieces back in but stopped, then grabbed a bag and placed them, as well as the wood and the flask inside.
“Be safe... I want you back in one piece,” I smiled.
“Might come back with more than results...”
“Just find the truth,” I reached out to touch his arm.
“I’ll head out in the morning...” he said and I hugged him goodbye gently.
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