Black Diamond.
I woke up this morning hearing voices and looked over to see Ger feeding Aly in my bed. “Morning sleepy head...coffee should be ready by now,” Ger looked over at me.
“Coffee?” I perked.
“Yeah...I pout some on when making Aly’s breakfast,” Ger told me.
“You feeling alright Aly? No one makes me breakfast when I’m shot.”
“I’m....doin’.....dandy good,” Aly said and I took a cup of coffee and brought it back to the couch. “I never been around you when yer shot Trin.”
“True... Ain’t been shot since August of last year. Blasted Phelps...” I muttered and saw Ger feeding Aly with a fork. “Maybe I should get myself shot just for this kind of treatment.”
“Trin is such a morning person,” Aly nibbled on the food and chuckled. “I like my independence, you think this is dandy for me?”
I smiled and drank my coffee, thinking Ger looked good on my bed. Aly nipped at his finger and said, “Ohh sorry.”
“Should I leave you two alone?” I asked.
“Uh... not necessary,” Aly blushed.
“I can take my coffee to the saloon...”
“Hey it’s your house. Would feel strange if you left,” Aly laughed.
“Especially with a good lookin’ guy like me,” Ger continued to feed her.
“I seriously owe you for this... both of you... you too Trin. All night without a bed for you,” Aly looked over at me.
“Nice bed isn’t it?” I smiled. “Just got that thing over on the train when I moved here... Hasn’t even been.... Anyway,” I blushed since Ger was the only one that had been in my bed, though we’d only cuddled.
“Okay you...beck under the covers,” Ger told her and she grumbled as she moved back under the covers.
I walked downstairs and set my cup in the sink as Ger came down with me. I turned to him and said, “Thanks for comin’ over, Ger. She doin’ okay?”
“Not too sure yet,” he shook his head. “The infection is seeping out, which is good, but she’s still feverish.”
“She’ll take a couple days of lying down then...” I nodded.
“More, I’m afraid. She’s gonna need someone to watch her.”
“I’m gonna be around here today I think... Not too much going on. Have you been able to talk with Bree yet?”
“No, was planing on going over and seeing her n her shop when she comes into town.”
“Gonna leave that one to you. I still think she’ll talk to you more honestly ‘cause you guys both saw the same thing. And my charm won’t hurt either.”
“She snores, you know,” I muttered, hearing her snore upstairs.
“No... that’s mine...” Aly muttered then.
“Apparently talks in her sleep too,” Ger said and I chuckled as we started to work on reports.
***
Throughout the morning we looked around for a new office space that was more central. While we were looking at a building I heard Jewel call from the jail cell, “Hey, let me out!”
I walked into the office and sent a wire to Tye to see the status on her and he said that I was able to let her out. I walked over to the sheriff’s office and opened the door, going in to unlock the jail. “Well good morning sleepy head,” I greeted her.
Jewel glared at me, “You gonna let me outa here some time today would be nice!”
I unlocked the door for her and stepped back.
“Have a nice day, Jewel. Thanks for staying at our hotel,” I winked.
“You tell that no good sheriff this means war!” Jewel rolled her eyes at me.
I went to the gun cabinet and unlocked it, taking out Jewel’s gun and handing it to her. “Here ya go,” I said, keeping the ammunition for myself. “See you tonight.”
Jewel took the guns and stormed out of the office.
I walked back to Ger and Leigh and asked, “Hey Ger... Remember that shootout at the bank where you guys said Mac returned to the dance after TJ and Lisa left?”
“Sort of...”
“It was back on the 18th... We were trying to figure out who the fourth person was.”
“Yah got me..”
“Do you remember if Mac was limping? When he returned?”
“All I remember seeing, while dancing, was his shirt was a bit bloody. Or was it his pants...”
“That would be helpful... Could you write up a statement for me?”
“I can try.”
“Thanks Ger, the sooner the better,” I winked at him.
Tina came over then and we talked with her a while before Leigh helped us find a new place to set up our office. Ger went back to take care of Aly and I walked home to check on her.
“I’m coming upstairs. Are you two decent?” I called up.
“I need to go to the clinic, I’ll be right back,” Ger said and headed downstairs as I walked up.
“We need to get her to the clinic to replace the bandages today too,” I suggested.
“Trin...I have to run to the clinic for a minute, can you watch her?”
“Mmhmm.” I went to sit on the edge of the bed and looked at Aly, “How you doin’ hon?”
“Goin’ through sheriff withdrawal without his normal visit lately,” she winked. “Seriously though Trin, I jes wanna git to David’s place.”
“Why do you want to get to Dave’s place?”
“He needs me for a project, I got so many, gonna git behind in my things...” Aly groaned and tried to sit up but fell back.
I reached over to sit her back in her bed, “You’re not goin’ anywhere Missy.” She whimpered but I said, “Deal with it.” I looked over and saw Ger walk back up and said, “We’ve got an escape artist here.”
“Well he said he needs reinforcements for his desk...to be able to hold about 120 pounds,” Aly looked at me.
“Sit,” I stared at her and she fell back again. “You’ll thank me later,” I said and added, “Dave can use without putting a woman on his desk for a few more days.”
“Books, Trin! Books!” Aly said.
“Mmhmm,” I nodded.
Ger asked for me to get some soap and cloths while he mixed up some medicine for Aly. When I brought them back upstairs he told me to get some clothes from across the street. I went over to her place and fed Rogue while I was there. I brought the nightie I found back to Aly and then headed for my office to get some work done. I sent Drij a wire to give Tye his witness statement.
***
I walked upstairs and smiled at Aly fast asleep on my bed. She started to stir and I asked, “How’s my favorite patient doing?”
“Oh I’m just... ready to frolic in a tumbleweed field.”
“Sure you are,” I chuckled.
“I’ll just hop right out of bed... You can come too!” Aly grinned.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Why you gonna try and stop me?” Aly asked.
“If you want to come to my gig in Bisbee to hear me sing... You’re using a cane.”
“So that’s ok, even though I was told just for the bathroom?”
“Well... I wouldn’t want to go against the word of a doctor I suppose.”
“And I don’t want no wooden leg neither Trin. Bah. I feel like an invalid.”
“Just a cane, Aly,” I chuckled. “You can’t lay around all day either.
“Not if my leg needs ta come off if I don’ listen to the doc it won’t be just no cane.”
“Give it time but the doc knows too that you can’t stay in bed all day either,” I patted her arm gently.
“Well I’m bored.”
“I know ya are.”
“Should I be missing Mark? Part of me feels like he should know. But then he’d come running.”
“That’s natural hon. Gotta let yourself grieve that too...”
“Hard to do when all I feel is physical pain at the moment.”
“I know hon. Give yourself time.”
“Hmm... Well time all I got. Hey Trin...?”
“Hm?”
“Thanks for being a good friend. Is what I’m here for.”
“I owe you. You and Ger both.”
“Aly I’m gonna head outside for some fresh air, I’ll be right back,” I said then and headed downstairs. When I stepped outside I saw Alex ride by and smiled, “Alex, just the man I was hoping to see.”
“Hey Trin! How are you?” he waved.
“Need your help with something...”
“Oh yeah? everything okay?” he dismounted his horse and walked over.
“I’ve got a patient upstairs with a gunshot wound in her leg... Aly’s up in my bed right now. Want to come take a look at it? Might need the bandages checked by a professional,” I winked at him.
“I’d be happy to check in on her,” Alex walked up the steps and gave me a hug.
I hugged him tightly and smiled, “Dang I missed that.”
“I do too.”
“Come on in, hon,” I said and led him inside. We walked upstairs to where Aly lay on the bed groggily. “Aly... look alive. Got you a doc,” I chuckled.
“Hey Aly. How are you feeling?”
“Uh...” Aly peered over the top of her blanket.
“This is Alex, remember him?” I smiled.
“Like I been beat by the back of Lil’s frying pan.” She looked over at Alex and said, “Vaguely.”
“Uh I don’t git injured or sick a lot, not really use to it, sir.”
“She wants to get up and move around.”
“No fever. That’s a good sign,” Alex said, feeling her forehead and shaking his head. “No, you need to rest as much as possible.”
“I do feel less....uh. chilly,” she grumbled.
“She’s being stubborn,” I chuckled.
“How’s the pain level? Do you need anything for that?”
“I have so much work to do! Yeah well someone was suppose to give me some of that...aspierd..? Or something....”
“Work will wait. You split your stitches open and it will take even longer to heal.”
“Don’t want that,” Aly frowned at him.
“Ger was up here for a long time earlier Aly, what all did he do?” I asked.
“Did he give you anything? I don’t want to mix stuff and get you all loopy,” Alex said.
“I dun remember if he did or nothing, something about my juice though. He bathed me, changed me, fed me...wow..like a baby. I’m...a baby.”
Alex dug around his doctor’s bag and pulled out a bottle of white pills. “You can take one of these. It will help with the pain and shouldn’t mess up your thinking too much.”
“Nah... It’s all good Aly,” I chuckled.
“I know how you feel, but really it’s good he’s taking care of you,” he nodded.
“So you mean...” she nodded. “I wont get no intoxicated symptoms?”
“Not with this. It’s a pill made from Willow bark. If you want stronger though, I’ve got it.”
“What like a tree?” she blinked at him. “Dunno if that would be safe...stronger. I can’t tolerate much.”
“Yes, it’s from a tree. I think it’s the same stuff you were talking about when I asked. It’s good stuff without the side effects of laudenum or morphine.”
“Yeah...those...uh....Trin’s rugs won’t be safe with me and those meds,” Aly’s eyes widened and I blinked at that. “Better stick wit the easy stuff.”
“You and those rugs...” I shook my head in amusement.
“Oh Trin please tell me ya heard what I do when I git intoxicated? It’s been all o’er the town,” Aly looked at me and said. “Yeah, that.”
“Hmm?” I looked over at her.
“Never you mind,” Aly coughed.
“Don’t worry, Aly. We all get weird when intoxicated. You don’t want to know what I do either.”
“Uh... reassuring?” Aly blinked at him.
“Have you two been vaccinated yet?” Alex chuckled.
“Vaccinated for what?” I looked at him.
“Small pox.”
“Yeah well you weren’t in tha company of TJ and Lisa when you did yers. I’m sure,” Aly said.
“Small pox going around?”
“Apparently there have been cases of small pox around and the mayor wants everyone vaccinated. That’s something you don’t want to catch.”
“I have already been by Peta,” Aly said.
“Guess I’m gonna have to get that...” I sighed.
“Oh good, Aly,” Alex nodded. “Want me to do it, Trin? It only takes a few minutes.”
“Ever think you’d be giving me a needle, hon?” I nodded. “Should, I guess.”
“They jes scratch you Trin, ain’t nearly bad as that gun shot from tha other day,” Aly said.
“Yeah you should,” I chuckled. “Aly’s right, it’s just three little scratches. I can do it right here.”
“Did get a bit itchy though...jes sayin’,” Aly said.
“Itchy is better than sick,” he looked at me and said, “Okay, you gotta take off your jackets and roll up your sleeve as far as it goes - I need to get at your shoulder.”
I looked at him and then at his left hand, noticing the ring again on his fourth finger, and then back at him. He smiled reassuringly and took out his kit, arranging it neatly.
He took out a clean cloth and cleaned a blade. “See, this is what I use, not a needle.”
I sighed and took off my shirt, feeling my heart race more. I had a vision of Bill’s knife on my skin and traced the scar on my forearm, looking up at him with worry.
“Okay, now I’m going to clean your shoulder so the site doesn’t get infected,” he took the alcohol-soaked cloth over to my skin and said, “It will be okay. I did myself yesterday. Went a little too deep but now I know exactly how to do it.” He took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “You can trust me.”
I swallowed hard, squeezing his hand and knew I could trust him. He poured a small amount of the vaccine in a glass dish and dipped the blade into it. “Okay, now I’m going to scrape this along your shoulder, three small cuts. Scrapes, really.” He lightly pressed the blade against my skin and made three small cuts. “That’s it! Now I just have to bandage it up and you’re done.”
I felt the emotion start to pierce my eyes and looked at him, biting my lower lip. He took a square gauze and pressed it to the vaccination site, then tied a strip of linen around it to keep it in place. I gripped his hand tighter, tears threatening, and he cleaned off the blade and put everything away.
“You’re all done. That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“Turn to the Lord!” someone shouted from outside and Alex went to look out the window.
He turned back to me and asked, “Trin? You okay?”
The visions of the knife pressed against my skin came again and I let the tears start to all as I shook. Alex took me in his arms and hugged me warmly, “Trin, sweetie, it’s okay. You’re all done. You’re safe in your house. No more blades. I put them away and now you won’t get sick either.”
“Uh... Everything okay?” Aly looked over.
I leaned against Alex, trying to calm down as I remembered the cave. “Can I get you something? Tea? Coffee? I feel bad I made you feel so bad,” Alex said and I shook my head, holding him tighter. “Believe me though, it’s much better than getting smallpox.”
“It’s just that... I... I just told Aly about everything with the cave and the knife and... I just told her a few days ago... All those dreams about Bill.. the way he controlled me... And when I saw that blade just now... I...” I looked deep in his eyes.
He looked at me and smiled. “You know I would never hurt you,” he chuckled. “Remember, I haven’t had the best luck with blades either.” Aly tried to get up out of bed and winced at the pain. Alex looked over and asked, “Do you need help?”
“Yes. Help me. I need to hug her.”
“I know... I just... It’s all so recent.” I told myself to get a grip and reached for my shirt.
Alex walked over to the bed and helped Aly up, then looked at me. “Trin, why don’t you come over here so Aly doesn’t have to get out of bed.”
I nodded and stood, wearing my shirt now and reached for Alex’s arm, still shaky.
“Carefully,” Alex advised.
“Ya you know you don’t have to feel them things alone,” Aly said and hugged me.
“I know... you two are my best friends... I... I don’t know where I’d be without either of you. It’s just all these memories flooding back... That blade sent me over the edge again.”
“Here for ya,” Aly smiled.
“I thought I was stronger than that... To not let a piece of medal send me over the edge. I’m fine with the gunshot wounds but...”
“Next time I have to vaccinate you I’ll blindfold you first like I do with the horses,” Alex chuckled.
“Listen you...” I glared at him and nudged him with my other arm.
“Hey I jes think yer strong for letting those emotions show. Some people don’t,” Aly said.
I shook my head and leaned against Alex, “Damn I missed you...”
“I missed you too,” he put an arm around me.
“Uh..ya’all want me to move downstairs on tha couch? Leave tha bed for ya?” Aly grinned.
“You, back in bed,” I shook my head. “I’ll be fine.”
“No, no, no. But thank you,” Alex laughed.
“Want to get a drink?” I looked at him.
“Yeah, Aly, you need to rest.” Alex looked at me and nodded, “A drink would be nice.”
“Sheesh everyone making demands of me,” Aly muttered.
“We just want you to get better,” Alex chuckled.
“Sleep Aly,” I winked and led the way downstairs.
We walked over to the saloon and I sat at the counter. “So who is he?” I looked over at Alex, trying not to feel bitter or upset.
Alex poured a large glass of whiskey and held up the bottle. “You want some?” he asked and I nodded as he poured another glass, sliding it over to me. He took a big gulp of whiskey before saying, “Cora, the librarian. We were quietly married last week.”
I took a deep breath at that and sipped the whiskey, nodding quietly. He took my hand and looked into my eyes.
“I’m happy but... sometimes, I miss you terribly.”
“The feeling is mutual,” I nodded, squeezing his hand. “I’ve only kissed one man since you and I broke up... and that was only a few days ago.”
“Really?” he looked at me, surprised.
“I’ve been... focusing on work I guess.”
“It really feels good to see you.”
“It feels comfortable with you... Like I don’t have to think or wonder or...” I sighed.
“I know what you mean,” he patted my hand and nodded.
“Why is it so easy for everyone else to get married?” I asked and he shrugged. I leaned into him and said, “Guess I’m just not meant to get married or be happy. My work is my calling I guess.”
“No, you’ll find the right person one of these days. You deserve to be happy.”
I sighed and looked down, not wanting to say that I really didn’t believe I did deserve it. “Might need another whiskey,” I sighed. “I’m sorry... Your happy... I should be happy for that. And I am... I just...”
He took a deep breath and looked in my eyes. “You know I loved you. I’ll always love you. But... I wasn’t right for you. You’re my best friend, and I don’t want that to ever change.”
“It won’t. Not if I have anything to say about it.” I pulled him into my arms, holding him tightly.
“So I haven’t heard from Jy since we talked in the saloon but he was gonna send me a note about the red sash...” I said, changing the subject.
“Oh right! The red sash...”
“Mikk brought it up... And the whole Johnny Ringo gang.... He said that he suspected Adrian and Kris of being outlaws..”
“You think there’s anything to that?”
“Well... remember when we investigated that case around here... We saw that wanted poster and thought it was Adrian?”
“Yeah, how could I forget! That was kinda funny to see his face on a wanted poster, even if the name was different. That guy looked just like him!”
“I know.... And we ruled it out as a possibility of connection because of that picture with Gigi...” I looked around, making sure we were still alone. “Well... then Mikk brings it up again... I’m not sure if I want to pursue this as a case or not.”
“It is an odd thing to look so much like someone. But...” he shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“I just.... it feels like it’ll be a waste of time even if Adrian is connected with some sort of gang. What’s it gonna change? Nothin’... same thing with this whole case with the mayor and his girl here. He’s still gonna be mayor. Mikk was so passionate about it though I had to at least passively look into it.”
“Not always a good idea to rile up the mayor either.”
“That too.”
“That’s what I like about being a doctor. It’s concrete. Sew up a bullet wound, dispense meds, check on patients...”
“Time will tell I guess... I’m not committing to anything but it’s going to stay open in case I hear anything along the way. True..” I nodded.
“That’s a good way to go about it.”
“We’re starting to use footprints as evidence.”
“Really?”
“Mmhmm. Ger used a piece of paper to lift off the foot print from the dirt in a recent case... Compared it to the footprint that Tye got when he arrested the girl for another crime.”
“Wow, that’s some fancy thinking!”
“And we started writing incident reports about our investigations... as another tool of evidence. Instead of just witness reports. Pinkertons are finally starting to make headway, Alex. Did I tell you what happened with the case for the Apache chief?”
“That’s great! I’m really happy for you. Must be nice to finally feel like people need you. You told me about the evidence but I don’t think you ever told me what happened at the case.”
“Oh man... It was insane. Suzy was the prosecutor and she wanted to use Aleaya as a witness against her husband! I about fell off my chair!”
“Oh dear,” he shook his head.
“So then Lot was pissed and asked Jimmi to let him just read the statement that the Pinkertons had given him and Suzy rested, wanting to hear it too. So then Lot read it and didn’t even call up his client as a witness. The statement was enough and the jury voted not guilty!”
“That’s great! I’m glad you gave him that evidence. A man shouldn’t hang for protecting his family.”
“I know! It was such a great case, Alex. I was so proud of myself. And Aleaya thanked me after the trial for my efforts. It felt amazing. And then did I tell you Jimmi hired me to look into the relations of a couple jury members at another trial? Cause he thought they were related to the defendant and I found out that two of them were, not just one.... He paid me $200 for it!”
“Speaking of the Apaches... I met their medicine woman yesterday. She was very nice and knowledgeable about herbs. I hope to talk with her again sometime about Apache medicine.”
“Wow, that’s great! Getting paid besides!”
“And now Tye...” I said, my eyes lit up as I continued to talk about work. “He’s the sheriff here in Diamond now and we’ve got this deputy named Ray. So we finally have someone to take our reports to and arrests and trials can actually happen! It’s amazing, Alex... We’re actually being asked to help the sheriff solve cases and gather reports and stuff. This hasn’t happened since... well... when I began in May and Ansar and Syla were asking for my help on stuff!”
“Things seem to be looking up here. It’s so hard without lawmen around. We don’t have any in Pearce and it’s caused some problems, like when Ada was shot that time.”
“We’re in talks with the mayor about getting a more central office that I can live above. It’ll look more professional than the place I am in now.”
“I’m so glad they are using you as a resource. You can be invaluable to them.”
“Tye has even deputized me at least once. He’s finally accepted that I’m good at my job and is using me as a resource. After all these months... I never thought that he would be asking me for help.”
“He must be smart,” he grinned, looking at me. “You seem to be feeling better.”
“Because I’m talking about work...” “Work is good for you. When you’ve got steady work, all feels good.”
“But every time the topic of relationships come up, it’s like I close down and don’t have anything to say. Because I’ve been so bad at them I don’t feel like I have anything to contribute to those conversations. But work... That, I can be proud of.”
“I’ve thrown myself into my work a lot lately too.”
“It’s good you finally have something to do...”
“These vaccines will keep all of the docs busy for awhile.”
“I guess all those memories were just so fresh in my mind and when I saw the blade... Aly’s been dealing with a lot of dreams and I have been trying to help her understand that she can’t let her subconscious control her like I did...”
“I understand, especially after telling Aly. You just relived it again. She’s having dreams too?”
“I had to tell her about Bill and the cave and how he tormented me after that to the point that I couldn’t stop talking about it and it got so bad that other people were commenting on me talking about it... And then in the end how he shot me down ‘cause I finally tried to stand up for myself and I became a nomad ever since until I moved to Tombstone, because I was afraid of him or people like him finding me. So it all just... brought everything back up talking to her about it. I haven’t really been sleeping that well and I’m keeping myself focused on my work so I dream about my cases...”
“But don’t forget you rescued me in the mine, you faced your fears of the dark places like that as well as blades when Moretti stabbed me. You’re stronger than you think.”
“You’re right.. I forgot Moretti had a blade too...”
“I didn’t,” he absently rubbed his side.
I squeezed his hand and said, “I guess I blocked that part out because it was so painful seeing you hurt.”
“At least I don’t have to worry about him coming back after either of us.”
“We showed him,” I reached for my whiskey glass and clinked it against his, sipping the drink.
“Guess I should get ready to head over to Bisbee soon.”
“You singing today in Bisbee?” he asked at the same time.
“You hear what happened with that gig though?” I asked, nodding.
“Yeah, every other week now, right?”
“Had some other performer come in to do every other week. I feel cut in half. But I guess it’s better than nothing.”
“People like you though. Don’t feel like they don’t. I’ve heard a lot of people praise your singing.”
“How about I walk you over there? I might take a ride while you set up and see if I can find any victims, ah, I mean vaccination patients, then maybe I’ll be back in time to hear you.”
We walked out of the saloon and I went to change into a dress at home.
Bisbee.
We rode out to Bisbee and I performed for a good crowd of people while Alex tended bar. I met a man named DJ Benathor and then headed back to Diamond to see our new Pinkerton office all set up.
Diamond.
I walked back to my house and helped get Aly across the street to her own bed where she could continue getting better. Ger helped me move my furniture over to my apartment and we got everything set up perfectly. The new office had a long counter along the one wall with lab equipment set up.
***
I was sitting in my office doing reports when I heard Aly call out, “Trin come help me get dressed! I’m going to work tonight!”
“Hold on, woman! Don’t you dare get out of that bed!” I called back.
“Too late!” she shouted.
I blinked as I came around the corner and saw Aly in her nightie on her front porch. “You. Back inside.”
“I needed to see the sun today Trin! Argh!”
“Not in your nightie you don’t!”
“Well I can’t do it by myself yet!”
I went upstairs and pulled out an outfit for her. “I’m fine with you going outside with your cane as a crutch but you’re not going out with your nightie.” She grumbled at the outfit selection and I said, “Fine, you point something out.”
“Not good to wear pants Trin when my leg still huts!”
“Fine I’ll get you a dress. How about that one?” I pointed at one.
“TYE! YOU IN THERE?! THERE’S A CAKE!!!” Peta shouted from outside.
“Uh... That’s fine!” Aly said.
As she started to undress, Ger walked upstairs and I looked over, “Um, Ger... Might want to wait downstairs a sec.”
“Young Lady, you get your backsides back in bed before I tan them,” Ger ordered.
“I have to go to work! Cas countin’ on me!” Aly turned and blushed.
“She’s all yours, Ger,” I winked.
“Stay, Trin,” he ordered and I stood still.
“No wait! No!” Aly blushed.
“Yes Sir,” I chuckled.
“Lordie Trin, what is WRONG with you!” Aly cried.
“Ger, she needs to move around... She can’t be in bed 24-7,” I chuckled.
“Now you do as I say aly...you will only make yourself worse, the infection will start to grow and you will collapse again,” he looked at her.
“Now git me dressed before David and or Tye decide to fly up those stairs too,” Aly said.
“Nightgown only,” Ger said. “I’ll tan those bare cheeks if you don’t.”
“Ger, I’m bored!” Aly whined. “I’m not going to Big Nose Kate’s tonight in my nightie!”
“She needs to move around, Ger. That leg needs to be moved around.”
“That’s for tomorrow,” he shook his head.
“I don’t work on tuesdays! Gher..I only work mondays,” Aly looked over at him.
I stood back and said, “Guess you gotta do what he says, Aly.”
“ARghhhhhhhh...” she muttered.
“He’s the one who was a doctor... He knows these things better. My opinion doesn’t matter apparently,” I muttered.
“Trin, get her nightee back on her and in bed, I will be right back,” Ger ordered and walked downstairs.
I went over to help Aly get the nightie over her head and said, “Sorry Aly. Don’t know what’s got into him. I think you need fresh air but apparently it’s too soon.” Ger came upstairs again and I looked over, “Happy?”
“This ain’t fair,” Aly pouted.
“Let me see that leg...make sure you didn’t rip the stitches,” Ger said.
I stood back, not wanting to watch this part. “I’ll uh... go make sure Rogue is fed.”
“Trin, could you go down and get me clean bandages and the ointment with them please?” Ger requested.
“Gladly,” I said with a bit of bite. I went downstairs and got the bandage and ointment and brought it back up to him. “Here you go, Ger. I’ll be in the office... I have work that needs to be done,” I said and walked outside, barely looking at Aly’s bare leg.
I walked over to the sheriff’s office and saw Peta talking with a man I remembered from a few months ago. We talked about how he was still running a mining company in the area and about how the town was doing so well. Lawrence came over then and we talked a bit with him about how he wasn’t very specific with what he did for a living.
“How is business?” he asked me.
“Business is fantastic. You didn’t perchance see the sheriff over in Tombstone on your way here, did you?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Ya mean Tye? He had to finish cleanin’ up after I made dinner. May take him a while,” Peta said. “There were chicken parts everywhere.”
“No, I mean Drij.. I need a statement from him for Tye.”
“Oh Drij. I don’t keep up with him. Cept he’s datin’ Lil. Maybe they’re engaged. Hope not. IT’s another weddin’ to avoid,” Peta said.
“Heard there’s a wedding coming up.”
“Yeah that flirty David,” Peta said.
“No Drij and... Wait... David??” I blinked at that.
“No... he’s marryin’ the lady who gave him the note,” Peta said.
“What?!” I blinked.
“Yeah! After he was flirtin’ with everyone else in town except me ‘cause probably Tye’s the best shot in the county. I assume. I’m totally worthy of bein’ flirted with. You got a feather in yer cap for him? Better off without him, if ya ask me.”
“Just a friend,” I shrugged, but felt rather stupid now since he was the only man I’d kissed since Alex and I had went our separate ways.
We talked with Lawrence and Jackson for a while more and then Tye came up behind us. “TYE! THERE’S CAKE IN YOUR OFFICE! You need to open it up now!” Peta called to him. “TYE YOU BASTARD! GET HERE RIGHT NOW!”
“Lawrence, give me a moment,” I said and walked over to Tye who was standing in front of our new office. “Sheriff, check it out. We got ourselves a new office.”
“I had heard you might be.”
“I live upstairs. Come on in and take a look. Lab equipment arrived too. Nice, huh?” I asked, showing him around.
“Ain’t bad, I s’pose.”
“Ger’s still working on talking to Bree I believe. Should have that fixed statement soon.”
“Pretty sharp... good,” he nodded. Peta walked into the office and stuck her hands in Tye’s pockets. “Oi!” he jumped.
“I sent a message to Sheriff Drij finally... Can’t keep ridin’ around lookin’ for him every day and night.”
“Give give give! GIVE!” Peta held out her hands.
“Woman you lucky I didn’t shoot you where you stand!” Tye pushed around her.
“But there’s CAKE!”
“You can wait, hell.” Tye said and walked outside. “Who the hell put cake in my office anyway?” he shouted.
I looked between Lawrence and Jackson. “We could always go hang out at the saloon...”
“Seems cake is the thing,” Lawrence said.
“Come ON Tye! Hurry UP! This is takin’ FOREVER!” Peta called.
“Ya know there’s a bakery across the street, yeah?” Tye sighed.
“You buying Trin?” Lawrence asked.
“Well yes I know that. But this cake is for YOU, which is to say for ME,” Peta said.
“Sure, what the heck,” I nodded.
“You make a mess, and I ain’t makin’ you another cake for two weeks! Ya got it?” Tye shook his head and opened the door but Peta ran inside.
I started to lead the way to the saloon and got a bottle for us. “So how you been, hon? Been too long since we’ve just sat and talked.”
“I’ve been good... and yes... far too long since we spoke.”
“Mmhmm... You kinda disappeared there for a while...”
“Went for a long walk.”
“For a bunch of months?”
“Was a big hike.”
“Did a lot of thinking?”
“Always.”
I got him a bottle of whiskey and ignored the need for glasses. I took a sip and handed it to him. He suggested that I unbutton a button on my shirt and I started to move my hand when the saloon door opened and Tye walked in.
“Something up, Sheriff?”
“Need you to figure out who the hell put a cake in my office. I’m gonna charge them with destruction.”
“Putting cake in your office is a crime now?”
“Did you see Peta?”
“She seemed over-excited as usual.”
“It’s like intentionally lurin’ a bear to a campsite.”
“To your office,” I looked at him.
“Find out for me. I’m gettin’ back on patrol.”
“Yeah, to my office.”
“I must be missing something,” I set the bottle down and looked at Lawrence.
“What’s up?”
“I get the strangest of cases. Walk with me? Take the bottle with you.”
“Well, you don’t get to choose in your career.”
“Sure.”
We walked over to the sheriff’s office and Peta and Bree and Lil were talking about the cake in the office. I checked the doors and didn’t see them broken or tampered with. I asked Tye for a list of people who had keys but the only people were him, me, Ray, Dave and Krell. While we were standing around, Peta got sick and threw up on Lawrence’s feet. Tye suspected that the cake had been drugged and that was why Peta had gotten sick. Tye took her to the clinic and we headed towards my apartment when I saw Ger sitting at his desk inside the office. I went in to tell him about the cake and then went upstairs to help Lawrence clean up. We stood in front of the fire for a few minutes but it felt awkward between us, like too much time had passed and we barely knew each other anymore. I decided to say goodnight and he left the apartment as I got ready for bed.
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