Black Diamond.
As I sat on a bench in the new gazebo I saw Aly walk over and smiled, “Morning, Aly!”
“Heya Trin! What’s new?” she waved.
“Have a seat,” I smiled.
“Now...when a detective says that to someone,” Aly chuckled.
“It’s been an interesting couple of days,” I laughed.
“Oh Lordie you can say that again.”
“I almost arrested someone yesterday. Lost them in Bisbee though. At least I ran her out of town but she’ll be back I’m sure.”
“Would it be hopeful of me to say it was Sasha?”
“Nope.”
“I helped Tye arrest a couple people after I saw them set fire to my office.”
“What!? Fire??”
“Saw Jewel throw a match on a pile of papers in front of the office. Set a small fire and they ran... Guess Tye got into a shootout with them ‘cause I told him what happened. Wrote a witness report for it and helped him watch them while they were in jail. Then Lisa and TJ came to be heroes and rescue their friends who were getting medical treatment, and he asked me to go take care of Lisa and arrest her but I lost her in Bisbee.”
“Wow... So how are your legs feeling today?”
“Yep. Was quite the night. So glad to have a sheriff again. Speaking of which...” I looked at her. “Gerric is out of town for a couple of days investigating a lead that could clear Tye of the bakery fire.”
“Well that would be good...because how awkward would it be if the new town’s sheriff was responsible for it after all?”
“I’m hoping it’s helpful.... It doesn’t make sense that the Tye I know would do something like that. He was a good marshal... and he will be a good sheriff. You know how long I’ve been wanting to work with Tye again, Aly? He disappeared for a while and I missed him a lot. He was one of the only lawmen that actually made use of my services as a detective. I can count on one hand the amount of marshals or deputies that have done that.”
“Hrm...a part of me would have to take your word on that. The other part of me, well these last few days I’ve kinda seen him in action. Seems to be more than just a man I couldn’t once stand, I think.”
“Now... we actually have someone who can do arrests when we solve these cases and things can actually get done.”
“A huge step,” she nodded.
“He’s much more, Aly. That’s why the whole bakery fire thing was so surprising,” I nodded, reaching down to pet the dog who came over. The dog barked nervously and I could tell something was wrong. I looked over at Aly and said, “Something sounds wrong. Don’t recognize that dog though.”
“Should we follow?” she asked, “Or you follow. I’m not comfortable with my guns yet.”
I nodded and followed the dog out to Bisbee.
Bisbee.
I walked to Bisbee, looking for the dog. I found Mysti, face first on the ground. I leaned down to my friend and said, “Mysti... Talk to me... Are you okay?” I could see that Mysti was almost passed out and I sighed, “Mysti... come with me hon... Let’s get you to the clinic.” She was breathing shallow and I checked her pulse which was hardly there. I called for a doctor as I sent a mirror signal for help and took her to the clinic in Black Diamond.
Diamond.
I led Mysti to the bed as the dog followed with a bag in her mouth. I held onto Mysti and then poured her some sage tea, hoping it would heal her lungs. She took the tea and had a hard time swallowing. I reached down to put a hand on her arm, waiting as she coughed it out. “It’s okay Mysti, breathe hon.”
She breathed in the steam from the tea and started to look a little better. “Ooh Trin I found a cave down there but then I got caught and couldn’t get out and finally got out and then I passed out... how did you find me and get me here?”
I smiled and explained, “Your dog came and found me. I followed her scent to Bisbee. Didn’t know she was your dog though... I’m part-Native, remember? We know how to track smell.”
“I’m sure glad you are a good detective! How can I thank you?”
“Just get yourself better, woman,” I smiled and squeezed her hand.
The dog showed me the moneybag in her mouth and I reached down to take it as Mysti looked over, “Thank you girl... I guess I put you to work quick huh?”
“What’s this?” I asked, examining the bag.
“There was a skeleton there and Pawsie found that bag when she got my foot untangled under there.”
“Oh? Well you hit the jackpot then... At least you’ll get something out of all this,” I winked at her. “Wonder how much is in here,” I said and started to rummage through the bag.
“I don’t know... how much is there?” Mysti looked over as she started to sit up.
I started to count the money and as I got into the thousands I blinked, “Mysti... There’s almost five thousand dollars in this bag...”
She looked at me and said, “Please take some of that, Trin. You deserve it. I’m gonna get the biggest juciest bone for Pawsie.”
“Are you sure...?” I blinked at her.
“Yes, of course I am sure. If it weren’t for you and Pawsie I’d probably not be here.”
“I’ll only take a thousand. I don’t want to clean you out. You guys found the bag.”
“A thousand.. oh Lord!” she put her hand to her head. “How much is in there?”
I chuckled, guessing she hadn’t heard me. “Hon... There’s just about five thousand in here.”
“Ooooh!” Her eyes flew open.
I chuckled and hugged her, “Nice to have you back, friend.”
“This was almost worth drowning for,” she chuckled and hugged me, then became serious. “Thank you Trin. I mean that. You saved my life.”
I smiled and hugged her again, “Any time, hon.”
“Well Trin, I won’t keep you anymore. I am sure you are pretty busy. Oh by the way, did you ever find out who gave David that rose? And since you are a friend I will tell you that he and I are not together anymore. He wants too many women.”
“We need to look into that. My partner is out of town for a couple of days investigating a lead so I want to talk to David sometime today about that in more detail. What else can you tell me about what happened, Mysti?”
“I don’t know, he just told me almost sheepishly that some secret admirer left him a rose for Valentine’s Day. He tried to hide it but he was tickled and wants to find this woman, I am sure of that,” she sighed.
“Ger said that he became dizzy and fell.”
“Well he has been having blackouts since his voyage to Tombstone... He was dehydrated and close to death when some Indian found him.”
“So this isn’t the first time...” I summarized.
“That was when he first came to town... at least that is what he told me. No not the first time. I did an exam of him yesterday and told him to eat plenty of fresh veggies, protein and drink lots of water.. to keep himself hydrated. I think he has been drinking more alcohol and not enough water and it brings back the dehydration.”
“That makes sense... Any idea who this rose was from though? He seemed pretty shaken by it and now you say he was delighted about it.”
“I think he acted shaken but I could see his face. He is wanting to meet whoever it is, I am sure of that. I have no idea who it is, Trin, but he has been flirting with so many women that it could be any number of them. And I suppose it could be someone from his past out of Tombstone as well.”
“Guess I need to talk to him.”
Mysti shook her head and said, “You are a good detective, Trin, so I know I probably don’t have to tell you but... Watch his body language closely. He tends to stretch and distort the truth.”
“I have to tell him about our office being set on fire too,” I sighed.
“What?!” her eyes widened then. “Your office was set on fire? By whom?”
“Jewel and Mac were there and some other girl. I saw Jewel light the fire. Filed a report already. Tye was there.”
“You think Tye did it?”
“No I saw Jewel did it. I reported it to Tye and he arrested them.”
“Oh, I meant Jewel, not Tye.”
“I saw her do it, Mysti. I was walking over when it happened.”
“Is there gonna be a trial? What is the penalty for arson, and I wonder why Jewel did that?”
“Probably. I wonder why too... it’s not like we have any open cases right now, not with them involved anyway.”
“I was wondering if maybe you had something on her she was trying to destroy or thinks that you do.”
“That would make sense but no. I need to talk to David.”
“Ok hon I wont keep you and thanks so much again for helping me.”
I put the money in my pocket and gave the bag to Mysti. “Glad you’re alright hon. You’ve got a good dog there,” I reached down and pet Pawsie.
“Pawsie is part wolf her mama was a dog but her daddy was full wolf.”
“Even better,” I smiled.
“I call her a wolf,” Mysti laughed.
“Take care, Mysti. Stay safe,” I smiled and headed out of the clinic.
I walked over to David’s apartment and knocked on the door. “David? It’s Trin. We need to talk.”
“Um, I’m kinda not dressed,” he called from the other side of the door.
“Um, it’s kinda important. I’ll wait,” I said, leaning back against the railing. He mumbled something and I said, “Okay, I won’t tell you about how our office was set on fire last night then.”
“Let me just put some pants on at least.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Alright come in, but don’t be afraid,” David said.
I sighed, unbuttoning the top button of my shirt and letting my hair down, thinking maybe that would get more information out of him. I walked in and smiled, seeing him in only his jeans. “Hey there.”
“Unlike our dear mayor I prefer NOT to wear women’s clothes when mine are dirty,” he said.
“Dave... We need to talk... Can we sit somewhere?” I chuckled a bit.
“We can talk here if it ok, have a seat,” he said.
I sat down on the bed and looked at him, “First thing.... Our office had a small fire last night. I walked over and saw Jewel lit it. You have any problems with her recently?”
He raised his eyebrows and was obviously ignoring what I’d just said when he asked, “Can I get you a drink, maybe?”
I chuckled at his lack of focus and shook my head, “I’m good, hon... Have you had problems with Jewel recently?”
“Jewel? Not that I can recall, but she is a bit of wildcard...” he stopped a moment and said, “Wait... what happened?”
“She set a small fire at our office downstairs last night. I saw her do it. Filed a report with Tye.”
“FIRE!?” David blinked and started to head for the door with no shoes.
“Dave wait. Stop. Turn,” I tried but he was already out the door. I sighed and walked downstairs after him and into the office. “It was this desk here,” she points. “Seriously... We don’t even have anything on Jewel or Mac right now, do we?”
He slowly wandered around the office, looking for something. “Nothing wrong with my desk. I guess what, Jewel was after Lisa?”
“Told you it was a small fire. Nothing crazy dramatic. But it was still a fire.”
“So all we have is that you saw her?”
“Unfortunately, yeah. Peta was here in the gazebo but she was reading a book and wasn’t watching.”
“What the sheriff say? We got enough to haul that little witch in?”
“He already arrested her and Mac cause they ran on him. Now we await the trial. Didn’t say it was a great case, Dave. Just wanted to tell you it happened.” Pawsie came into the office then and Dave felt the dog licking his toes. “David... I need to ask you about something.”
“Yeah, what’s up?” he asked and then looked down. “I think I need to get my boots. Let’s go upstairs so I can get them.”
We walked upstairs and he was sitting on his rocking chair. “Can I join you on there?” He playfully patted his lap and I sat down on the chair with him. “Hi,” I looked in his eyes.
“Um, hi.”
“Dave... I heard about the mystery rose...”
He looked a bit embarrassed and said, “Oh I should of asked Gerric for a bit more discretion, but yeah it seems I have an admirer.”
I traced a finger down his arm and said, “We work together, Dave, you know that. Besides... I’m your friend and I’m concerned for you. I heard you got dizzy and fell. Dave?”
He watched me and breathed deeply. “Um yeah I have had a few episodes but Myst had suggested it was more with my food, proteins I think she said.”
“She told me it wasn’t the first time you’d done that either.”
“No it wasn’t,” he shook his head. “They started when I first got to Tombstone, never had them before that, not that I recall anyway. But they seem not too serious. I ain’t always blacking out.”
“I know... I was just concerned about you. And with this note.. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t because of fear.”
He smiled and chuckled a little. “Trin when you known me afraid of a ladies affection?”
“The way Ger made it sound... you were more afraid of the note,” I patted his leg.
“It’s a little in unnerving, to think someone would go to such length to get my attention, when really all they need is to, well pretty much bat an eyelash.”
“They could just come up to you, why leave a rose?” I nodded and listened to him.
“Hmm... I’m not really concerned about the rose ,its just that the note and rose nailed to my door is what was odd, I mean my office is pretty open all the time. why not leave it there?”
“I know hon. It’s kind of an invasion of personal space in my opinion,” I nodded.
He shifted his arms a bit and started to massage my thigh. “Yes, invasion of privacy,” he smiled. “I guess I ain’t thought of it so serious.”
“Well... you know that I’ll try to help you figure out who left this. This is nice,” I said softly, looking in his eyes.
He touched my thigh a bit firmer, dragging his fingers along my thigh. “Yes it is...” he said lowly. “Um Trin what case is Gerric on lately?”
“He’s out of town working on the bakery fire investigation,” I looked in his eyes. “Why?”
“Oh bakery fire, yeah I forgot about that one,” he avoided my question. “Ahh.... How is that case going?”
“We’re investigating some leads. Time will tell,” I said as I shifted in his lap.
He started to caress my arms and before I knew it, I was lost in the moment kissing him. I hadn’t kissed a man in such a long time and it felt so good to let myself enjoy his touch and the chemistry between us.
“Trin! We never had our coffee!” Aly called out from down the street.
I sat back and blushed at Dave, hearing Aly shout. I looked out the window and called out, “Ain’t my fault I had to save someone’s life!”
“Well ya done now?” Aly called back.
I heard Dave swallow and placed a finger on his lips, looking deeply in his eyes and then called out, “We’ll do a afternoon coffee!”
“Ok fine! uh..soon?” she called back.
“Yeah, soon! I’ll find you!”
“Yeah, you’re good at that,” she shouted.
Dave smiled at me, “Sounds like Aly needs to talk, either that really needs to get a cup of coffee?”
I looked in Dave’s eyes and asked, “Where were we?” He kissed me hard and I slid a hand down his side, kissing him. “I guess I have work to do...” I sighed and looked in his eyes. “What just happened?”
He smiled and brushed a hair from my eye, sliding it behind my arm. “We um... We had a moment.”
“Mmhmm, we sure did,” I looked in his eyes. “It’s been a long time since I...”
“It’s okay, Trin.”
“The last man that kissed me like that...” I started and he held me close, rubbing my back. “I just don’t want to lose...” I nuzzled against him.
“We won’t lose our friendship, Trin... I care to much about that.” He placed a finger lightly under my chin and nudged it towards him.
“I also don’t want to hold you back from other moments that you might...” He kissed me passionately and I leaned my forehead against his, “Let’s take this slow...”
“Lets agree to just let the moments happen as they will, no promises, but you need to know something Trin...” his words fade and he took a breath. “I want us to always remain friends regardless of anything else we do,” he smiled warmly.
I nodded and exhaled softly. “Okay. I’m glad you feel that way. That means a lot for me to hear you say it like that.”
I suggested that we could go dancing in the saloon and we felt so comfortable in each other’s arms. “So Dave... any more ideas on this secret admirer?” I asked after a while.
“Not really, like I told Gerric, I just hope it’s not Krell messing around.”
“Goodness, there’s a scary suggestion,” I shuddered at the thought.
“Yeah, but he’s just crazy enough to do it.”
I sighed and leaned on his shoulder. “I know... Hon have you heard anything about him being on medication?”
He run his hands along my sides and said, “That sounds nice Trin, um you calling me hun.”
“Could get used to that, huh?”
“Yeah I suppose I could, but we need to stay professional, its bad enough I have the reputation that I do... but I do rather like that the detective would investigate the DA so... um closely,” he squeezed me in his arms.
I chuckled and held him closely. “Have you heard any allegations about the mayor being on meds?”
“Not that I was aware, but it would surprise me.”
“That was my thought too.” I said after a while of dancing.
“Yes reports and I am sure I can think of something to do,” he cleared his throat and looked at me longingly.
I took his hands and pulled him close, kissing him deeply and slowly. I leaned my forehead against his and smiled, “We will have more moments, Dave, I promise.”
He smiled and kissed me before he left, “See you soon, Trin.”
I started to walk out of the saloon and Lawrence came in to say hi. He said that I looked nice with my hair down and we talked about how work was picking up, and then I headed to the office to get some more work done.
***
This afternoon I sat at my table working on journals from yesterday and updating profile cards as I went. Aly walked in and I smiled, “Hey there. Missed our coffee this morning.”
“Howdy gal. I know, It’s your fault,” she chuckled.
“Yeah, yeah, I was kind of um... preoccupied,” I laughed.
“Oh right! Whose life ya save?”
“Have a seat hon. Coffee’s just made,” I said.
“Sure, ya got cream somewhere hidin’?”
“Mmhmm,” I said as she looked through the cabinets, making herself at home.
“That dog that came to us... I didn’t recognize it but I followed it out to Bisbee. I could tell something was wrong and I had to follow her. I found them at the waterfall in Bisbee. Mysti was layin’ on her stomach almost passed out.”
“Bisbee!” Aly’s eyes widened at that as she sat down.“Tha heat?”
“She said there was a skeleton that Pawsie found. With a money bag near it. Aly... You’ll never guess how much was in that bag.”
“Fifty dollars?” she blinked.
“Close to five thousand dollars! And she said I could keep a thousand of it!” I said and she slipped off her chair. “You alright there?” I chuckled.
“That a whole hell alot of money there Trin, tha hell.”
“Mmhmm. It’s locked safe somewhere,” I winked at her, thinking about the safe in Tombstone.
She grinned and winked, “So uh how much ya donatin’ to my weddin?”
I laughed, “Speakin’ of your wedding... Can I ask you a question?”
“Of cours! Shoot. Uh... not literally. Go on.”
I pretended to go for my gun putting my hand back on the table with a wink. “Okay... Remember we were talkin’ at the saloon with Tye and we were talking about how Mac had been shot...”
“Ya,” he raised a brow.
“You said somethin’ that confused me and I didn’t realize it ‘till I read back over the journals. How come Mark was so riled up about that?”
“About Mac’s death?” She smiled and said, “One thing I love about Mark, and there are many mind you... is that he’s very compassionate toward others. I haven’t known him that long, and I don’t know much about his family... but I do know that Mac meant a great deal to Mark’s gramps.”
“Oh?”
“When his family hurts, he does. Perhaps he was a family friend.”
“Mark’s gramps.... who was that? Someone from around here?”
“I’ve been known to uh,” she blushed, “Do....oh Lordie never thought I’d hear myself say this...shots...a few times. With Mac. No, Sam Grey, I think he lives in Tombstone.”
“No, Sam Grey, I think he lives in Tombstone. Sweet ol’ man who naps a lot,” she chuckled.
“Sam Grey... Why am I not surprised?”
“About the napping? Well I imagine it’s a combination of tha heat an bein old. he probably does a lot of what I do sometimes...”
“No, I don’t mean the napping,” I shook my head.
“What then?”
“It’s no matter. I was just curious is all. Wanted to make sure it wasn’t some sort of outlaw affiliation I had to be worried about. I trust Sam. He’s a good man. Related to an outlaw, but still, a good man.”
“Well as I said I don’ know much about then, heck I’ve really only know Mark about two weeks....and ya we’re movin’ kinda fast. We had a ...long talk last night.”
“Did you...” I nodded.
“Yeah..my own family issues and tha....really...disturbin’ dreams I’ve been having. I was..so hesitant to talk to Mark about that.”
“I’m listening, hon,” I sipped my coffee.
“What you think I should tell you too?” she blushed.
“Only if you want to hon. You don’t have to tell me anything. I’m just here as a friend if you need to vent.”
“I think a part of the reason I’m having these dreams is because Mark has ...made me feel...things...” she coughed, “That I never did before...and it’s scary. My dreams are expressions of these feelings, and the people in them are these feelings in substance.”
“I understand that. The unfamiliar can be scary.”
“So the personalities of these people directly relate to the emotions. and well....someone we both know was in one...and I...” she whispered then, “Was handcuffed to a bar and made to strip. That does NOT leave this room.”
“Of course.”
“As you can imagine I woke up feeling....rather scared....”
“I looked at her, thinking I knew who it was but didn’t want to say the name so I just nodded. “I can imagine you did.”
“I felt so dirty! bathed. twice. blah.”
“I would have too,” I nodded.
“So last night I got brave enough to tell Mark about it, even told him who was involved....I was sure he’d get up and leave......but you know what he did instead? He laughed!” she said and I chuckled. “Oh, and you laugh too.”
“Just at his reaction. I’ve had those dreams. Scared the hell out of me.”
“Am I the only one who finds this really icky and that I need to visit church to be purged of these feelings?”
I remembered the dreams I’d had about Buckshot all those years ago and shuddered, being pulled right back to that cave. “I’ve been there, Aly.”
“Trin the problem was, in the dream, I liked it....”
“Been there too. Felt guilty as heck.”
“Yes! The guilt! And the... ugh...”
“Aly..”
“Wait... You have? So this is normal?”
“Of course it is. We’re women... we have needs. There are things we’ve never experienced and things we don’t want to experience. But there’s always a part of us that wonders if we could handle it.”
“I’ve never had these needs before.”
“Let me tell you a story.. And this doesn’t leave this room.”
“You’re my best friend. I’d never,” she nodded.
“A long time ago... when I was living in Colorado back in 1869... there was a man who was an outlaw. I always thought he was cute but never thought I could actually have a chance. This was before I was involved with the law. Anyway... I was riding out of town somewhere and he was drinking in the saloon so I went over and talked with him.”
“Very brave,” she smiled.
“Before I knew it we were dancing. I mean I was late teens... I didn’t know any better. Then...” I sighed. “We got on his horse.. Rode to Mexico... Found this abandoned jail...” I swallowed and looked out the window, thinking TJ would ride past just at that moment. “Dang it, Aly, I just wanted to know what it would be like. But then... We started going right there in the jail and I had to stop it. I just.. It felt wrong. It felt too much. Like I couldn’t...”
“You don’t need to finish,” she smiled softly.
“Aly...” I shook my head. “The point is... I have to see him every damn day now. Well, almost every day. I have to live with those memories. They weren’t just dreams. I have to act like they never happened.”
“Every woman has a little bit inside her that is attracted to the...bad boy. Uh. wait. I’m really saying that,” she sighed. “That’s a part of who makes you---you! if it didn’t you wouldn’t have learned.”
“Aly, I grew up playing in a church and I let myself get carried away by an outlaw to a Mexican jail.”
“Yeah well, a little extreme of what I said...”
“But my point is...”
“I’m glad you told me. I know, at least from what I felt about opening up last night, that I certainly feel better about opening up.....uh...and hopefully that person involved will stay outta my head,” she coughed.
“The point is... I’ve been there. I’ve had those feelings and curiosities and questions. It’s natural to want to experiment with that. You’re just lucky it was in your subconscious.”
“Yeah because if something like that actually happened, Trin....”
“I know,” I sighed.
“To me... now...” she cringed.
“Shh.. Don’t think about it. It was a dream.”
“I know...and I always tell myself....not now, not ever.”
“Aly... I need to tell you something.”
“Alright. You shot the sheriff today?”
I laughed, “No.”
“Ok, what then?”
“I um... Okay you know about me and Alex... and how we broke up back in November or whatever after living together...”
“Yeah..uh...you lived together? Didn’t know that part...but go on.”
“Aly, I haven’t really... kissed anyone since then... Until today. I mean I’ve danced with guys but...”
“Who’d you kiss today?”
I swallowed hard and looked around, then leaned in to tell hr with a whisper. Her jaw dropped and she said, “Ew... Sorry, Trin, but do you don’t know where them lips been.”
“No it... It was incredible. Like I felt like myself again. I felt happy. Hey... remember when I told you about how this partnership with Gerric would be so great?”
“Yeah I was expecting to say you kissed him.”
“I didn’t see it coming. It was completely unexpected,” I said. She folded her arms and made a face. “We have an agreement. No strings.”
“You know he’s not right for you whatsoever....right?”
“Hence my previous point, Aly. Sometimes... You’ve just gotta go with the moment.”
“Bah. You and your strings. you were complain’ tha other day how you jes want someone...how ya gonna git it if you keep goin’ with that no strings motto?” she asked. I swallowed hard, knowing she was right, and sighed. “I’m really glad I don’t go with MY moments...I’d get in so much trouble.”
“I just...”
“You just don’t wanna be lonely no more.”
“I just want to be happy again, Aly. I’m sick of being so alone. I’m sick of living in the moment but right now... It’s all I’ve got. And quite frankly it’s better than nothing.”
“Well I’m here... Uh... Though not like that.”
“I felt the emotion well up and just looked down at the table. “I need to take a walk. Come with me?”
We walked over to the church and heard Tye and Peta yelling from the office. I shook my head and pushed open the church door, fighting emotion. I sat down in the front row and leaned forward, crying.
“Best thing to do is talk an let it out. How long this been botherin’ you?” Aly asked as she sat down beside me.
“Since I moved back here. Where Alex and I lived together. Worked together.”
“Well you’re way overdue then for a good cry. Trin I think you should get out more.”
“Aly I... I feel like such a mess.”
“You know...” she chuckled. “I said the same thing to Mark last night....but my wording was a little different. What was it,... ‘Mark, I feel like I’ve been beat with Lil’s frying pan’. You know, Trin, with 10 steps to the church neither of us can make excuses about not going to church for an hour now.”
“I know,” I sighed. “I haven’t gone in a long time... Aly... the thing is... Whenever I start to get attached to a man... like really attached and not thinking of any other one... they disappear. I could tell you countless stories. And then I finally find a man that I can live with, wear his ring, fall in love with. He ends it because it’s moving too fast and he can’t handle it. But we still have remained close friends in spite of it.”
“Friends are important to have, not a bad thing, but Trin...”
“So my point is... I’ve gotta keep living in the moment because Lord knows another one is never guaranteed...”
“Both people need to be on the same page or it’s never gonna work.”
“I know hon believe me. But... I’m never gonna find that person if I’m not open to possibilities. What if I settle for one when the right one is still out there? Just to avoid being lonely?”
“Yeah.. See... I think that’s normal. Here’s the thing... I think I’m a good people watcher. I see the couples ....and I see which ones seem so right for each other... and which ones I’m like...what the hell.”
“I know,” I nodded.
“If I see a man come to town and I think...wow...I can see him with Trin, I’ll let you know,” she chuckled. “Until then, none of these others are right for ya.”
“Aly... just... I need you to trust me too. Cause I am getting better in my judgment.”
“Sooo..do the detective work that you do so well, and enjoy it......and in the meantime, have fun staring at the sheriff’s nice ass, as I’ve heard it put from someone else.”
“Even if it doesn’t feel like it.”
“I do trust you.”
“I hired Gerric... I trust him completely and we work great together. And I’ve known Dave a while now. I trust him too. And both of them are free-spirited men.”
“There are really only three people in this town I trust. You, Ger, and Mark. Ger is...very much a protector,” she laughed.
“Right now... I need to allow myself to have fun again. To not get so caught up in the pressure of being alone and settling for the wrong man.”
“Well... Since you’re idea of fun might be different from mine.... I can’t give you direction there. But... If having fun makes you feel like crap the next morning... Then maybe you should re-evaluate the fun factor of it.”
“You know what that kiss made me feel, Aly?”
“Tell me.”
“It made me feel alive again. Like when I’m in Ger’s arms... I feel that safety and that protection knowing that no matter what happens in our personal lives, our friendship comes first. And our professional lives.”
“Be careful with men, Trin. Around the same time I started getting interested in Mark I was also interested in someone else. I made the mistake of having ONE dance with this other person and then after that he got as jealous as a wrong housewife and started shoutin’ accusations at me and sayin’ Mark and I slept together. I’m sure there is some nasty gossip goin’ around.”
“I know,” I nodded. “Come on, let’s head back out there.”
“Alright. Truth be told... I ain’t never been with a man like that,” she said.
“You want to know the truth? Since we’re in a church.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m still a virgin.”
“What?” she blinked. “Really?”
“I dance with men, I kiss them. I might even sleep with them in the same bed. But I never go all the way. Ever.”
“That’s very brave. I won’t let men on the top floor of my house. I don’t think I could resist.”
“I have my limits and I make that very clear from the beginning. If they can’t deal, there’s the door.”
“That’s good,” she said and we walked outside of the church.
Sasha stood in the street and Aly blinked, shouting, “Sasha! You got some nerve comin’ back here.”
“Can we help you, Sasha?” I asked as Aly backed up slowly.
“No I was just gonna go shopping,” Sasha shook her head.
“Shopping...you mean off my person again?” Aly asked.
“Perhaps you’d like to meet a friend of mine,” I smiled as Tye and Peta walked over.
Tye stepped over, narrowing his eyes at Sasha. “Aly. Heard you shout. This her?”
“Yes sir,” Aly nodded.
“Tye, meet Sasha,” I smiled.
“Sasha, meet the new Sheriff.”
“Well howdy handsome,” she smiled at him.
“Me,” Tye pointed to himself. “I don’t need an introduction to you, though.”
“I was just looking for some new boots,” she smiled.
“Gone an ruined my favorite ones already?” Aly muttered.
“Well, let’s go get you some. Real easy like,” Tye suggested.
“Don’t show her your fear,” I whispered to Aly.
“Sasha, you’ll be comin’ with me. Set your weapon on the ground, and turn around with your hands behind you.”
“For what?”
“So nice havin’ a sheriff around again,” I winked at Tye.
“For town thievery, harassment. And that’s all you’ll get from me. Now, set your weapon on the ground, and turn around.”
“I don’t know what this little lady been telling you but I ain’t done nothing,” Sasha smiled coyly.
“I’ll go get my medical kit,” Peta said and I chuckled at that.
Tye gripped the handle of his pistol and said, “I done told you twice. Those were the nice times.”
“I’m not one to make up stories,” Aly said. “And plenty of witnesses.”
“Aly, go on inside,” I advised and she nodded, going back into the church. I looked at Tye and put my hand on my gun, just in case.
“Now surely you ain’t wanted to do that. Maybe we could do something else instead?”
“Sure. We could walk to the jail. Ain’t lookin’ to shoot you, yet,” he gripped his other pistol. “Now, Last warning, or you’ll be coming with force.”
“Rather not heal ya today ma’am,” Peta said.
“And I’ve already been in the clinic once today. I’d rather not be in there twice,” I put in.
“But you still ain’t told me what I done?” Sasha said and drew her pistol quick. Before long, Tye drew his weapon and shot her down quickly.
I shook my head and said, “Nice to have you back, Sheriff.”
“Nice to be back,” Tye grunted and I holstered my gun, seeing it wasn’t needed.”
“Clinic okay, Tye?” Peta asked.
Tye walked over to Sasha and said, “Sasha, you are under arrest for robbin’ a person, multiple times I hear.”
“You can add unholstered weapons to that list,” I said to Tye.
“Yes ma’am, sure is,” Tye nodded.
“Can I come out?” Aly caclled from the church.
“Sure can, Aly,” I said as she walked outside again.
“Actually Tye... It was just the once, but threatened multiple.”
“And two counts of unholstered weapons now, that I’ve seen,” I said.
Tye removed Sasha’s guns, ammunitions, and anything anything that could be used as a lock pick. He pulled off Sasha’s boots and asked, “These them, Aly?” he asked as he removed Sasha’s belt and stuffed everything in a bag.
“No, not them,” Aly sighed.
“They’re kinda beat up. Wouldn’t want ‘en anyway,” Peta said.
“I’ll meet you at the office, Tye?” I asked and he nodded.
“Sure. You get all the paperwork from Aly ready.”
“Come on, Aly,” I nodded.
“And here I thought we was friends,” Sasha smiled at Aly as she was led to the clinic.
I walked with Aly to the office and helped Aly work on the report for Tye, including everything she had witnessed with Sasha. Before long, Tye came in with Sasha and held her in the jail. I handed Tye the report from Aly and he handed me a note to read.
“Then you should take this, go to your office, and read it, then wait for me,” he said. “Don’t read it here. I’ll be around momentarily.”
I squeezed Aly’s shoulder on the way out and headed for my office, glad I didn’t have to experience Sasha in the cell. I sat down at my desk and read the note from Tye, blinking twice as I did so.
Mayor Krell
If you ever wanna see your precious Leigh ALIVE again
you will do as exactly we say, tell no one about this note we will be in touch SOON!
signed
your friendly outlaws
“Trin!” I heard Tye call out.
“My office! As per requested!” I called back.
“Well why’d ya go there, come back!” he called.
“Cause you told me to!” I sighed and went outside again with the note.
“Well that weren’t real bright of me!” he called back.
“How dare I do what I’m told!” I said and walked into the office.
“You read it?” Tye turned to me.
“Don’t let it be said I can’t follow instructions,” I smiled to Tye. “Yeah, I read it.”
“I need a list of known enemies, if you can get one quickly.”
I nodded and wrote the note as Sasha paid her bail and was set free. The note included two names, Jewel and Mac. When Sasha was gone he told Aly he was locking up the office and she left to go home.
“This it?” Tye huffed at the note with the two names on it.
“Yep.”
“Trin, I need the note. Let’s go.”
I handed him the note and we headed to the courthouse. He called out, “Mayor Krell?”
Finally, I thought to myself as the mayor came out of his office. “Yes Sheriff?”
“You’ll want to see this.”
I looked at Tye and said, “Tye... A moment before we do that?”
“You don’t think this is more important, Trin?” Tye turned to me.
“Fine, I’ll tell you with Krell here then,” I sighed.
“It were Peta, you wouldn’t stop me,” he said.
“Tye this is not the first time this has happened.”
“What’s wrong?” Krell looked between us with worry.
“These are things I should be briefed on,” Tye glared at me. He motioned to Krell and said, “You tell ‘em, then.”
“Something I should know about? Tell me?” Krell looked around, confused.
“Well I would have loved to brief you but I was doing reports from yesterday and then didn’t see you until the thing started with Sasha,” I said.
“Tell me what? What’s going on?” Krell asked.
“Seems like we’re liiving de ja vu, Mayor,” I said as Tye handed him the note.
“Spit it out, Trin,” Tye told me.
“What’s this?” Krell took the note.
I dug through my notebook and gave it to Tye. “Here, these are the notes from the first time Leigh was kidnapped.”
“Someone’s taken Leigh, Mayor,” Tye said.
“We had two suspects, remember, Krell?” I looked at him. “We talked about Jewel and Mac when Desi was there.”
“Trin, talk to him. Get what you can. I’m getting my rifle,” Tye said.
“I’ve been wanting to talk with the mayor about the first kidnapping since it happened. He’s been avoiding me.”
Tye gripped his pistols and walked toward the door. “Now ain’t the time to mention that, Trin. Man’s hurtin’.”
“Oh no, she has been missing for two days. You have any idea who took her?”
“Krell, talk to me,” I insisted.
“Mayor, you are so pale. Whatever is wrong?” Bree asked.
“Bree, I need a minute alone with the mayor, please,” I said.
“Bree,” Krell started. “Leigh has been taken.”
“Krell. I need you to focus.
“Yes Trin.”
“You remember the first time that Leigh was taken.”
“Okay. How can I help?” Krell asked.
“Yes I do,” Bree answered as if I was talking to her.
“She came back and she was chummy with Jewel, she held her gun on you.”
“Yes I do,” Krell nodded.
“You remember you mentioned Mac’s name.”
“It was the Wild Bunch. They shot me that night. I nearly died.”
“Right. And we told that to Desi.”
“Told her beware of who makes friends with,” Bree said. “No one listens.”
“I hear the woman say the name Mac,” Krell said.
“She went on a witch hunt for the Wild Bunch but they were never taken. Then Leigh returns. Out of the blue.”
“Yes, I noticed,” Krell nodded.
“With Jewel.”
“I saw Jewel and Leigh looking at each other a lot that night,” Krell said.
“She was taken and held for ransom.”
“Why is this important?”
“She said you didn’t want to pay to get her back.”
“Well, I did. I don’t believe in ransoms,” Krell said.
“Krell, it’s important because the same thing has happened again and it could have been the same people.” Tye came back into the office and I looked at him. “Tye... Leigh was kidnapped a while back. She returned with Jewel and was acting all friendly but Desi and Krell knew it was the Wild Bunch.”
“Why would they take her again?” Krell asked.
“She came back with a noose around her neck at the dance,” I said.
Tye pulled out the ammunition and started to load his rifle. “Mmhmm. What else?”
“This I did not know,” Bree said.
“Ohhh... Wild Bunch? Which members of the Wild Bunch?” Peta asked.
“Yes, I remember that. I thought it was strange,” Krell said.
“Jewel and Leigh held a gun on Krell. In the bakery, right Krell?”
“Oh, is she ok, do you think they will hurt her?” Krell asked. “Yes, and the man too. The one who tied me up.”
“Mac,” I nodded.
“Oh, I did not know this,” Bree said. “How strange for a supposed love to do that.”
“Naw. Once mayor Kaly was kidnapped and they played cards,” Peta said. “Probably she’s fine.”
“He dragged me back to a strange place I have never seen before,” Krell said.
“Thing is... Leigh didn’t remember any of it. The gun pointing part,” I said.
Tye checked down the barrel of his rifle and then wrapped it back around his shoulder. “Anything else?”
“That’s it. Mr Mayor hasn’t talked to me since. Desi was fired. Case was cold. Though they knew the wild bunch were involved. Nothing’s happened since the 7th.”
“How long ya known yer fiancee anyway?” Peta asked.
“Well, anyway it was a tragic night, but the native healer saved my life,” Krell said.
“Trin. Known locations of Wild Bunch hideouts?” Tye asked.
“One’s in Ghenna.”
“Well, I have known her since we came from New York together,” Krell answered Peta’s question. “She loves me so much.”
“Tye, a word please,” I said firmly, shaking my head.
“Oh she loves me dearly, even that night, after it looked like I would live, she told me she loved me,” Krell said.
“Tye,” I said again.
Peta continued to try to comfort Krell and I walked out of the courthouse to wait for Tye, not wanting to hear any more lies. Peta kept talking about how she hopes Leigh hadn’t died of dehydration and Krell was upset.
When Tye and Peta were outside I said, “I recall briefing you about this at your house, Tye, when you asked what cases I was working. Part of the reason we are concerned about the mayor’s sanity is because of Leigh’s account of his feelings towards her. Something strange is going on and the mayor has been avoiding me for days.”
“Does she not like the mayor? What am I missin’?” Peta asked.
“I recall distinctly Leigh saying that she feared the mayor was behind the first kidnapping and that’s why he didn’t pay the ransom,” I said.
“Trin, I ain’t care if she’s sleepin’ with every dove in the book,” Tye said.
“Tye my point is...”
“And when were you in our house?!” Peta exclaimed.
“That man cares about her, and she’s part of this town, so right now, conspiracy theories can go back to your office,” Tye looked at me.
“They closed down on me. Ignored me. Wouldn’t let the case get solved.”
“We’ll get that when Leigh’s safe.”
“Okay fine, he cares about her. I just wanted to brief you on what I knew.”
“You’re staying here anyhow, unless you’re ready to use that gun.”
“And what I’d heard from Leigh. I’ll stay put. I intend to talk more with the mayor. Now that he is finally available.”
“Probably best to do it later, Trin? You won’t get anything rational out of him right now, if he is legitimately upset.”
“Well maybe she’s ransoming herself,” Peta suggested.
“Fair enough. You’re briefed now.”
“Now, known hideouts?”
“The one in Ghenna.”
“We know the area well enough, I’ll search plenty.”
“I heard about a lady who kidnapped herself to pay gambling debts,” Peta said. “Got some other lady to cut off her toe and send it in a box. Husband was real upset. He hired me to give her kidnappers some money...”
“I’m not making judgements, let me make that clear,” I said. “I’m relaying information that I have on a case in full disclosure. The conclusions of such are left to be discovered.”
“Too bad I had to bring along my friend. He was a bit of an oddball,” Peta said.
“Right now Tye’s right. The only thing that matters is getting Leigh safe,” I said.
“Good. We’ll be off, then,” Tye said.
“Stay safe, Sheriff,” I nodded. “Keep me informed?”
“Yes Trin. Keep an eye out here.”
“Okay, well I’m with ya Tye. I’ll bring my kit and patch up the people you kill. And I’ll humanely euthanize her if she’s been tortured to near death,” Peta said.
“Peta...” Tye glared at Peta.
“I’m just sayin’, I’m prepared for all contingencies.”
“Thank you. I’ve been investigating this a while,” I nodded to Tye. “I’m concerned.”
“Just for that, Peta, we’re ridin’ my big horse,” Tye said and walked away. “Tye Albertus Durden!!” Peta screamed and I blinked hearing his middle name. I’m gonna have to remember that, I said to myself and walked to my office.
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