Black Diamond.
I walked over to Aly’s house and saw Alex riding over so I waved to him, “Hey there!”
“Howdy, detective! How are you today?”
“Another day I guess. You?”
“I’ve just made my house into an office and moved into a cabin in Bisbee to live.”
“Oh nice! Bisbee is a great area.”
“It is. A lot closer to things too.”
“Mmhmm, Definitely closer to here.”
“Plus, I got chickens!”
“You did, huh?” I chuckled.
“Yep, three hens. Hopefully they’ll settle in and start laying soon.”
Aly walked outside and Alex waved to her, “Hi!”
“Hey there, Aly,” I turned to her.
“Hi! I thought I heard voices. Quiet ones, but still voices. How are ya?”
“Good! You?”
“I am doing...alright. Better than last night I think,” she said and looked at me. “So Trin I’ve been productive. Yesterday I got David’s desk done and the spoke on the wagon fixed for the mayor.”
“Oh good! Glad one of us is being productive.”
“How’d the trial end last night? I had leave before the end,” Alex said.
“The trial....ugh...she was found not guilty. Apparently I’m the only guilty vote, but I don’t exactly thing it was the uhh...best jury,” Aly said.
“I caught the end of it...”
“Happens a lot,” Alex nodded.
“Guess my report wasn’t good enough,” I looked at Aly. “It was the arson case against Jewel right?”
“Well you know as I was tellin’ Trin, these things only turn out based on the jury. sometimes it’s out of control. And I feel so bad for them calling you up there like that. You had nothing to do with any of it,” Aly nodded.
“I was really surprised when I was called. Not sure what Jimmi was thinking,” Alex said.
“Was shocked to hear they called you up there. You weren’t even there,” I looked at him.
“I think that’s what Jimmie was going for..to show there were no witnesses...which is....really...really odd. Not sure if he would have done the same had you known the relationship you two had,” Aly laughed.
“But they should have taken my statement in replace of a witness. They’re supposed to equate each other.”
“Yeah, let’s grab a random person from the audience,” Alex chuckled. “Worked in Ger’s favor, though I guess I didn’t convince them you’re honest, Trin.”
“Well I appreciate the effort from both of you... Was surprised to see Ger as prosecutor.”
“It was just...really strange. and really long...and that old guy..kept farting and put his hand on my bad leg. ugh. I had to move,” Aly said.
“Old guy?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Oh yeah, I saw him do that to you, Aly. I was thinking you should’ve broken his fingers for it,” Alex said.
“Ger did well...and yeah..some old man was sitting next to me that I’d never seen before. Oh I was contemplating elbowing him right in the gut or rib cage, but I was trying to be good and control myself. If he had done it again, dunno I would have been so nice,” Aly looked at him.
“I wouldn’t have blamed if ya had,” Alex chuckled.
“Ugh, he was gross. Kept making squinty, lewd faces at Peta.”
“Saw Peta was locked up after the trial. Don’t know what for though,” I reflected.
“You’re joking. right?” Aly blinked.
I shook my head, “Saw Tye lock Peta up. Didn’t say why.”
“She said something about going to jail when she left the courtroom but I had no idea what she was talking about,” Alex said.
“I half expected him to go in there with her,” I joked.
“Ugh Trin,” Aly frowned.
“Just saying,” I shrugged.
“Didn’t need that visual,” Aly grinned.
“When he came back out and left her in there I figured something had happened at court. Then Angeles came in and said her time was up so I figured she did something at trial.”
“Maybe so...”
Alex took out his pocket watch and said, “Well, ladies, it was nice seeing you both, but I gotta be moving on. Need to check up on a patient who lives out in the desert.”
“Stay safe,” I nodded.
“Funny thing being married to the Sheriff...if she had been upsetting enough to him maybe it was personal, I dunno, not my business,” Aly said.
I looked over and saw Ger talking with Alex down the street and said, “I should go over there, Aly. I’ll talk to you later hon.”
I walked over and Ger was saying, “I see...well, something about that jury....don’t know what...but I had a solid case I thought...”
“Yeah, some juries are like that,” Alex shook his head as I walked over and pet Taz, half looking at Ger. “Sorry, I can’t chat. I’ve got business to attend to. Have a good afternoon.”
Alex rode off and I looked at Ger, hesitating. “Can we talk?”
“Sure... office?”
I nodded and led the way to the office where we sat down at the table across from each other. “I need to ask you something, Ger. Did you share case information with Myst, Aly and David? About the home robbery case?”
He thought for a moment and said, “I told Myst we recovered her brush, knew who did it but she has gone missing...got a note saying she skipped town...David walked in on that..asked questions...said the same..he figured it was Sasha but I didn’t confirm...He started to talk to Aly...I said nothing knowing she was your client and not mine.”
“Okay. So he just assumed it was Sasha. That’s what had me worried,” I said and he nodded. “I knew you would be smarter than that to spread information about cases that are open but I needed to make sure.”
“I appreciate you giving me the chance to explain.”
“Because Aly went to Tye about the robbery at her place, and then Tye asked for my help, it then became the sheriff’s case and we are now gathering information for him. When the cases with Myst’s house and Aly’s house became connected... the whole thing gets sent to Tye.”
His eyes went wide and he said, “What do you mean ...wait..... I thought you were working for Aly....like we are now with her stalker...”
“For Tye,” I shook my head.
“Dang nabbit girl...why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m sorry... I thought I had. Guess that’s why you got frustrated last night, huh?”
“Yeah...thought he was muscling in.”
“No, not at all,” I shook my head.
“Dang it all... Now I know why he was telling me my client didn’t have a choice...”
“I’m sorry Ger... I thought I had told you but with everything going on all at once... and then this Apache case... I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
“Now I’ll have ta tell she needs to testify in the case.”
“I’ll buy you a drink later to make up for it... Or several...” I said and he chuckled, shaking his head. I’m sorry Ger... we’ll apologize to Tye and I’ll be the one who looks like the idiot. If you can get those test results to him about the evidence, I’ll write up a report about our interaction with her the other day at the outhouse. I feel like such an idiot now...” I sighed.
“Well...mix ups happen..especially when cases run into one another.”
“I guess we have to go to the Apache village, eh?”
“Yep...see if Mark is there with them...but first... maybe you should fill her in on our assumptions and see what she wants us to do....”
“I didn’t tell her anything yesterday because I wasn’t sure how much we should tell her. I mean this is a different scenario... We’re running this one and it doesn’t have to be as discreet as if we were getting info for Tye... We had drinks last night at the saloon but I didn’t want to get into it.”
“I would just let her know what we found and what she wants done...especially if we find out it is Mark.”
“Well we have evidence pointing to Mark already, right?”
“Right...but we could be wrong still, it isn’t an exact science.”
“So do we tell her that there’s a chance it could be Mark, and if it is what does she want to do? She’s my best friend, Ger... I want her to be prepared about that possibility.”
“Yes, I think that is the way it should be handles.”
“Alright. Do you want to talk to her together? We can head over there now if you want,” I nodded.
“No, she is better friends with you...and I have to get this report done for Tye...and talk with Miss Myst to let her know about the trial.”
“Alright,” I nodded. Sounds like a plan.” I stood and went over to him, holding his hand. “I’m sorry for yesterday, Ger. I should have been more clear.”
“It happens, we worked it out and we can move forward now,” he said as I continued to hold his hand a bit longer than normal. “Umm...I’m gonna need that to write my report.”
I chuckled and let go, petting Taz a he licked her hand. I thought to myself I should get a dog, just for the physical contact alone. “Let me know how it goes with Myst?” I looked at Ger.
“I will...” His look drifted and I nodded, recognizing the expression.
“Okay, see you later,” I said and headed over to Aly’s place.
Aly was still sweeping the front porch when I walked over. “Geez, you sweeping the whole street?”
“No, I just still take a lot longer these days still,” Aly chuckled. “But now I should...sweet the whole street, people gonna expect it.”
“We need to talk inside...”
“Uh okay,” she placed her broom against the side of the house and led the way inside. We sat down at the table and I took a deep breath, knowing this wasn’t going to be easy.
“What’s so troubling?”
“We have an idea of who left the items for you.. And we need to talk about how best to proceed.”
“Who?!” she raised an eyebrow.
“We’ve tested evidence and this isn’t a completely foolproof procedure because it’s still so new but... Hon we found traces of Mark’s prints on the objects.”
She blinked in disbelief. Her jaw dropped and tears threatened her eyes. “That’s....wow...no..he’s not..a native. That...doesn’t make...sense....are you sure?”
“No, we’re not positive. That’s why we wanted to tell you. His fingerprints are all over it,” I shook my head.
“I miss him, Trin, I really do.....I don’t even know...anymore.”
I reached over to take her hand. “I know this isn’t easy hon.. Did he ever talk about anything related to the Natives in his past?”
“Yeah...his cousin...he has some roots...I totally forgot.... Storm...I think. Is her name? Something.. Stormy?”
“He has Native roots?” I blinked.
“Well part of his family. I think. We didn’t really talk much about that side of him. He has tattoos.. um... on his back. I think. They are native-ish. I don’t know much about the Apache, Trin. So what you think he’s....staying with his cousin or something?”
“Hon... do you want us to pursue this? We will ride over to the Apache village and look to see if he’s staying there or if they even know him.”
“Does that mean he dances weird around campfires now?” she sighed. “I really shouldn’t care, Trin, but I do. Please.....I’d really appreciate you looking into this. He obviously still thinks and cares about me. Maybe he’s been watching, and knows I needed those things. I would never dare go to an Apache village myself. It’s scary!”
“It’s possible. We don’t know for sure that this is a negative thing yet. We just want to know what’s going on, and visiting the Apache village will help that. Not that it’s a place I really want to go, mind you.”
“Not sure I really want you going there either, those people seem dangerous....but .....I trust Mark. Or I did. I don’t know what those people could have done to him. I hope he’s alright.”
“Aly... I need to tell you something.”
“Please, go ahead,” she nodded, blinking through tears.
I explained to her the same thing that I had told Ger the previous day, about my past with the Natives and the recent interactions with them. When I was finished she said, “I think Mark might be in the same position as you then.”
“It’s why I recognized that tea, Aly... And why I got so quiet last night...”
“You’d have that in common...it’s good to go on. And if, as you say, family is important...then I wouldn’t be surprised if he IS with his cousin.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised either.”
“Maybe he felt after the breakup he needed that part of his family...a change. Only thing is... What in God’s name am I suppose to do now?”
“Wait for us to figure this out,” I winked.
“Even if I KNEW what I wanted, which I don’t... Ok, that’s a start.”
“It’s all you can do. That and be careful still, watching your back.”
“Well I am hoping it IS Mark, because I trust him, I don’t know any other natives, and the thought o f one of them stalking me is really scary Trin.”
“I know hon,” I nodded. “We’ll find out for sure.”
“Ok... Just on edge until something happens, you know?”
“I know... By the way... I talked with Ger about what happened yesterday. He said that Dave was the one who assumed it was Sasha; Ger never mentioned anything specific.”
“And uh...I can’t stand the thought of him being with some scantily clad native girl. Is that weird? I don’t even care about Sasha anymore, in all honestly. Maybe that’s because I haven’t seen her.”
I thought about Lonely Eagle and blushed a little, so Aly asked, “Something you need to share...you and Ger, maybe?”
“No.... Just saying I’ve been out with a Native before... It was quite the experience. He was very sweet and protective.”
“That’s uh...good to know, I think. So they aren’t all violent.”
“Nope.... Just protective of their family.”
“That helps...me relax a little. I’ve never threatened anyone’s family. So can’t imagine they want to do me harm.”
“It’s when their family gets involved that things get violent.”
“I saw that in the court that one time...there were native’s all over the place.”
I nodded, “Because the chief had been protecting his family when he killed V. She came at them. He had no choice.”
“I suppose I would do the same if my own family were in danger. I miss him Trin! But I never want to break his heart again.”
“I know...” I squeezed her hand.
“You know how we talked last night... I’m seriously lonely without him! like...to the point of wanting to cry. But at the same time. I dunno. You know!”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Now I’m the one needing the whiskey,” she giggled. “Maybe I just need to go to some of these dances alone...see how I do at them...”
“Might be the only way to meet someone. I’ve been thinkin’ about it too.”
“We should go together then. I’ll be your date,” she grinned.
“That’s a thought but I ain’t dancing with you.”
“You should....get nice and pretty. A dress, or something.”
“I have dresses.... Just don’t wear them unless I’m performing.”
“Yeah...no...the dancing..us...definitely not gonna happen. Sorry. Well if you go to a dance, maybe you should. Besides, you know I’ve been stuck in Black Diamond because of my leg...it would be good to get out. I think I’m ready for it. Would be good having you there. Just in case.”
“Maybe we should,” I nodded.
We decided to walk around Tombstone and found DJ, who I recognized from my gig in Bisbee. I found a golden retriever and brought him home and named him Comet.
***
Tombstone.
I walked into the Oriental and smiled seeing Sugar serving drinks. I talked with her and Aly and met a man named Bill who was retired. I noticed a woman standing, with her gun drawn.
“You mind puttin’ that thing away?” I looked over at her.
“Excuse me?” Bill raised an eyebrow at her.
“You seem to be annoying the girls here,” the woman said.
“I do?” Bill looked at her.
I looked outside, seeing kids outside through the window, and looked back at the woman with the gun.
“Am I annoying you ladies here? I only wanted a drink, damn. No need to draw a gun on me,” Bill said as the woman put her gun away.
“You know ma’am, there are easier ways to solve issues than whipping out bullets,” I said to her.
“Well... be nice to us then,” she said to Bill.
“Wait, what? I haven’t said anything bad!”
“Miss Trin... did I miss your order?”
“Nope, didn’t give one yet. Would love a coffee. Have a feeling I’m gonna need it tonight, not sure why.”
“I must have missed something,” Aly said.
“You sure are lucky that them kids are outside and that a Pinkerton is here,” the woman said and I smiled that she recognized my badge.
Paisley and Pet walked in and I gave Jamie a hug as she came in. Aly shifted nervously as the woman and Bill continued to argue, and I gave Aly a reassuring look now that there were children inside.
“Kids... why don’t you go play outside?” the woman suggested.
“You can’t tell them what to do,” I looked at her.
“No, let’s me and you play, outside,” Bill said. “If you have an issue, lets sort it.”
“I know. I love kids,” she said. “Just giving some advice,” she said as Bill walked out.
“And I’m giving you some advice. Solve these things with words, not bullets.”
“Well, he took it outside,” Sugar said.
“Good thing he left,” she said as he walked back in.
“Jut as I thought,” Bill said. A man can’t have a drink in peace and not be insulted or threatened.”
I walked over to the woman then, seeing the situation had calmed down, and said, “Don’t believe we’ve met. Name’s Detective Trin Paige. And you are?”
“I am Samantha Stork.”
“Pleasure to meet you Samantha. Care to explain why you’ve got it so bad against this nice old man here?”
“I don’t like the way he looked at us when he came in. Not nice to look at girls that way.”
“That’s why you pulled your gun? Because he looked at you with a smile because he thought you were pretty?” I asked as Peta came in and the chatter continued around us.
“Look... I am not looking for trouble.”
“Then you probably shouldn’t draw your weapon in a crowded saloon.”
“I came in for a drink, nothing more,” Bill said.
“It wasn’t crowded yet.”
“Seriously... Just a piece of advice. If someone does something you don’t like, tell them. Don’t shoot
them, or threaten to shoot them. There were...” I counted around. “At least four people in here. Just some friendly advice, Miss,” I said and went to sit back down beside Aly, satisfied I’d gotten the woman’s name.
“Ya need to interview dis lady here,” Jamie said about Samantha.
“I’m done. She heard my advice. Hopefully,” I muttered and drank the coffee that was now cool enough to drink.
“She’s da one dat brings da babies to all da mommies and daddies,” Jamie said. “Her name is Stork.”
I chuckled at that and I told Aly that I’d gotten Comet set up back at home. We talked about how Taz and Comet better get along and how there were a lot of male dogs in Diamond. I assured Bill that if he ever needed my help that I had an office in Diamond and in Tombstone.
“Day one in Tombstone... ‘hey fat ass, you nose is long’,” Bill said as we talked about him moving to Tombstone.
“My first day in Tombstone... Pet told me about the haunted hotel.”
“Haunted Hotel?” Sugar asked with curiosity.
“Stayed there a while and still survived. She told me not to take one of the rooms at the hotel in Bisbee because there was a ghost. Well... I told her about how I fell in love with a ghost and then wore his necklace.”
“Well, that’s not weird,” Bill said.
“Oh, I didn’t know that. Bisbee ya say?” Sugar asked.
“Don’t you remember Dutch Solo? Or was that not when I knew ya...” I looked at Sugar.
“Yes I do remember him.”
“I investigated his murder, everyone thought the man was dead. Turned out that he actually resurfaced in a mine in Utah. It was his triplet brother they’d killed. But a part of me just knew that he was still alive. Right from the beginning. And everyone thought I was crazy. Well I showed him when we started dancin’ together and then fell in love... Gosh I miss that man.”
“Oh yes... I remember, he was hidin’ in a cave,” Sugar nodded.
“Mmhmm.”
“What became of him?”
“He wasn’t hiding FROM you, Miss Trin, was he?” Bill joked.
“No,” I chuckled. “I didn’t know him until he came into town after all that when he was rescued. I remember being so nervous that night. I was about to meet the man whose murder I’d spent the past month investigating.”
“Well yes, that would be pretty exciting,” Sugar nodded.
“Mmhmm, it sure was. I’ll always remember that night like it was yesterday. Even though it was over 10 year ago.”
“Well it’s unprofessional, isn’t it?” Bill asked.
“What is?” I looked at him.
“Well, investigating the murder of someone, only for him to turn up alive, and you start dating.”
“Well I think she was quite relieved,” Sugar nodded.
“Wasn’t like I planned that,” I chuckled. “When we met it was like I’d known him forever. Besides, I was just an investigative writer at the time... Wasn’t working with the law yet.”
“Well the point I’m getting to is if I need help from you, I don’t want you to be rattled by my rugged good looks and fall for me too.”
“I don’t fall in love with all my clients, now, Bill. That was a long time ago.”
“Well shit, there goes that idea,” Bill joked and I laughed.
“But what happened to him?” Sugar asked.
“Who the hell knows... Went off to take care of Gaide and Josh somewhere. Started the string of men that disappear on me,” I said somewhat bitterly as I finished my coffee.
“No tellin’ where they went then, “Sugar said.
“Give it five minutes,” Bill said. “He will walk in here in five minutes and tell Trin he is pregnant. That’s how this night has been going anyhow.”
“Yeah, Jaycee disappeared on me too.. but who knows maybe someday he’ll turn up alive,” Sugar said.
“Don’t even joke ‘bout that,” I looked at Bill, then turned back to Sugar. “I saw them in Cripple Creek back in 1870... Dutch got shot one night and didn’t look like he was gonna make it but he survived. Was hell.”
“Oh my!”
“It’s okay, ladies. If they don’t come back longer, come see me,” Bill smirked.
I chuckled at him and said, “Thanks, needed that laugh.”
“Well hell, I was being serious,” Bill chuckled.
“What was your line of work, Bill?” Sugar asked.
“Retired now, dear.”
“Yep, but before that? If you don’t mind me askin’.”
“I was an entrepreneur.”
“Oh, an entrepreneur. Big position.”
“You don’t know what it is, do you?” Bill laughed.
“Business man of some sort. Probably something shady,” I winked at Bill.
“Not exactly,” Sugar blushed. “Didn’t get a college education.”
“A risk taker. I made money doing risky things.”
“I knew it,” I smiled with satisfaction.
“Oh, risky things. Well you might have been considered brave?” Sugar asked.
“Or stupid,” Bill said.
Lil walked in and the chatter continued for a while before Aly and I decided to head back to Diamond together to check on Comet.
Black Diamond.
I introduced Aly to Comet and hesitated as I needed to talk to her about what to do next with her case. “Aly... I need to ask you something..”
“You’re wondering whether to wear purple or red to the event tonight? You red. Me purple,” she chuckled.
“No...” I shook my head. “You know how we talked earlier about going to the Apache village... to see if Mark was there...”
“Uh... yes,” Aly raised an eyebrow.
“Could you kind of keep an eye on Comet while I head out there?”
“Oh uh... you’re going now? Yeah, I could stay here.”
“Yeah. You mind if I change quickly here? You can stay in the room I just don’t want to look... White man.” I changed into my Native outfit and set my other clothes and gun and badge on the bed. I put a knife in my boot just in case I needed some sort of weapon. I leaned down to pet Comet and then hugged her as I headed out.
Tombstone.
As I rode towards the Native village I became more and more nervous. I wasn’t sure what I would find or how they would react to my presence. Images of past interactions with the Cherokee and the Cheyenne tribes flooded my mind and I wondered again if this was a good idea, but I knew that I had to do it for the sake of work and for Aly. I could hear the Chief speaking from inside the tent and knew that he was praying. It was bad timing but I needed to do this while people were in the village, and not during the day when they would be out hunting.
A woman came outside and I smiled to her, speaking in Apache. “Dago Te, ma’am. I come in peace.”
She looked at me and asked, “What you need here?”
A man walked out with her and he looked like Mark Grey, with painted face and Native clothing. I sighed with relief and took a deep breath. “I was wondering if I could talk with you, Sir,” I continued to speak in Apache.
“Why need talk to me?”
“Do you remember me? I am the one who helped defend the Chief in white man’s court.”
“You must go down hill,” the woman told me.
“I not know of this,” Mark shook his head.
“Did you shout before you came up here?” another woman came out and asked me.
“The Chief was on trial for murder... I received his wife’s statement and gave it to his lawyer to help him go free. He was only defending his family,” I continued.
“What does this have to do with you coming to village?” Mark asked.
“Sister Moon, I hope she have no paleface sickness,” the other woman said to the first woman.
“White man not welcome,” Mark said.
“Sir, I am Trin... Good friends with Aly... She is troubled and I need your help.”
“You could bring sickness to village,” Mark said.
“No... I just need your help. Aly, she... She needs to know that someone is okay,” I told him.
“You must go,” Moon hid her face and the other woman backed up.
“Tell white woman Aly she not need worry of this someone,” Mark said. “No harm come to them.”
I looked at him, nodding. “So he is okay, the friend that she is concerned for?”
“He is not dead if you ask that. I know what she ask,” Mark nodded.
“Aly just wants to know he is okay. She cares for him still.”
“I not know of your words you must go from apache land,” Moon said again.
“If white woman need know about this person she need to talk to White man in village called Gramps,” Mark said and I nodded, remembering that Lil had called Sam Grey “Gramps”.
“Thank you. I will leave you now. Safe paths, friends,” I said.
“This man she speaks of is no longer of white man village,” Mark told me.
“May the spirits guide you,” I nodded to Mark.
“Tell her he is of Apache.’
“I will tell her.”
“Tell her man once called Mark no more. That man dead.”
I nodded and turned, heading back down the mountain. I hopped on my horse and rode home, relieved at how well that conversation had gone.
Black Diamond.
I rode back into town and dismounted, heading into my apartment with a smile. Aly sat twiddling her thumbs nervously. “Was he there? If so...how was he...is he ok??”
“I went there and they were doing prayers in the tent... Two women came out... I spoke in Apache so they knew I wasn’t a threat.”
“And then what!”
“Then this man came out and he looked sort of like Mark.... but obviously Native looking. I explained to them how I’d helped the chief go free from murder charge in trial, to remind them they could trust me. Then I told the man that Aly was concerned for someone and wanted to know that he was okay. He said that no harm had come to the man and that he wasn’t dead. He understood that I was asking about him. I said that you just wanted to know that he was okay because you still cared for him, and he said that if white woman wanted to know about him she had to talk to Gramps, and I remember Lil saying once that that was Sam Grey. So I knew he understood exactly what I was talking about.”
“Yeah, that’s Sam,” Aly blinked at that.
“He said that this man of whom I spoke was no longer of white man village. He is of Apache now. Man called Mark is no more, he said.”
“Suppose I should be happy that he’s moved on as such,” Aly sighed.
“We know he’s safe, Aly. And we know those items are from him. The only question is what next?”
“Not really a next, it seems,” Aly shrugged. “Suppose I should be glad he’s ok, and that he’s moved forward, and try to do the same. See during the breakup I told him I wanted to start over...like as friends...but...that really doesn’t seem possible now. He’s a different person, Trin!”
“I know. But Aly, now you can move on.”
“Can I?”
“I think you can.”
“All this is happening so fast...I know I say that Trin, but we just broke up Sunday. It hasn’t even been a week. And he’s already figured out a way to forget me.” She held back the tears and I went over to hug her. “You know this ain’t right, I shouldn’t be upset over it all. It’s what I wanted, isn’t it?”
“I understand hon... It’s hard.”
“Alright well I suppose I’m just glad he’s alright.”
“He seemed alright and content,” I nodded.
“Content. Okay,” she nodded. “Thank you for looking into this for me. At least now I can go to bed and not have to worry over my safety. I know I said the same thing when Sasha was around.”
I nodded and held her, “It wasn’t easy... I had to face my own past too. I was so nervous riding into that village.”
“But seriously...” she nodded. “Well thank you for taking that risk for me. Are you alright?”
“You know what? I am. I conquered a fear tonight and faced a past that hadn’t been good to me before. I used what I’d learned though and communicated well with them.”
“Good...”
“And no weapons were taken out and I left peacefully. I’d call that a personal victory.”
“Well after all this I only have one thing I left that I need you to do.”
“I was able to focus on the job at hand and didn’t let my fear from the past get ahead of me.”
“Yeah, you did good.”
“What’s that, hon?” I looked at her.
“Put on a brightly colored dress,” she chuckled. “I need to go out.”
“I think I need to rest.”
“Of course...no doubt that was strenuous for you. I think I might still go out.”
“Have a good night, hon,” I held her close. “I need to get out of these clothes.”
“Thanks Trin, see you later. Yeah, you should. Ugh, Apache,” she laughed and headed out of the apartment while I changed into my pajamas.
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