Black Diamond.
This morning I walked into Diamond and greeted Krell and Desi. “Good morning.”
“Good morning Detective,” Krell smiled at me.
“How is everyone today? Any news on Leigh?”
“Well yes. She showed up at the dance last night.”
“Did she? That’s great news.”
“Covered in mud and with rope still around her neck.”
“Morning Trin,” Desi greeted me.
“Was she able to tell you what happened?”
“Well, we tried to dance. For some reason Leigh kept looking at Jewel. Then, Leigh asked me to take her for dessert at Bree’s Bakery. I love that place, the chocolate doughnuts are to die for.”
“Did Leigh file charges on anyone for kidnapping her?” I asked.
“Then, as I was stuffing my face with doughnut, Jewel kicks in the door and comes in guns drawn,” Krell went on. “And I looked to Leigh to help me. She drew her gun too.”
“She shot you?” Desi asked, surprised.
“But I think she was still dazed, it seemed she pointed her gun at me too,” he said. I folded my arms across my chest, not surprised that my suspicion had been accurate.
“Then Mac comes charging. He tried to tie me up...”
“To tie YOU up?” I blinked at that.
“Yes, he tied me up. I wasn’t even finished with the doughnut, that made me mad.”
“I told that Detective it was the Wild Bunch,” Desi said and I sighed at that.
“And they started to drag me away. I shouted for help and Angeles and David showed up,” Krell continued.
“Which is why we looked at the Wild Bunch hideout the other day, Desi. We were investigating every angle but nothing was obvious,” I looked at Desi seriously, then turned to Krell. “So they rescued you?”
“They tried to stop them but I asked them not to. I was afraid for their safety.”
“They covered their tracks very well,” Desi nodded.
“And then Mac and Jewel dragged me away, I shouted, so the gagged me and blindfolded me,” Krell went on. “They took me to a strange hideout far away, and they robbed me of all my gold.”
“Far away?” I asked, wondering if there was a secret hideout that we didn’t know about yet. “I hope you filed a report, Krell.”
“Then I heard a commotion and saw Angeles, David, and Leigh outside. I thought I heard leigh sat something like wheres my cut, and knew she was trying to cut the rope. I got out of the ropes and grabbed one of the sack of gold and started to run.”
“Krell I think you’ve gotta face the facts. Your woman’s one of them now,” I shook my head, not agreeing.
“I saw Angeles get gunned down by Mac, and David was wounded,” Krell went on. “I passed out begging Leigh to save me. She said something to David about being mayor now, but I was dizzy. Anyway a ranger Sgt showed up and took me to town where a native healer, saved my life. My Leigh followed along, and when it looked like I was going to live, she told me she loved me. Isn’t she sweet? So now Angeles didn’t make it, and David was fixed up by Mrs Jameson.” “Krell, come on... She’s obviously working with them. She wanted her cut of the gold or whatever.”
“Well she kept looking at Jewel at the dance... But my dear sweet Leigh went though a traumatic event, she was not thinking straight.”
“Was Bob at the dance too? The bartender?”
“Yes he was.”
“Think I might have a talk with him. See what he can remember.”
“He gave me a drink to help me feel better since he knew I was missing my darling fiancee.” Oh I thought I was going to die.”
“Krell... I don’t know how else I can help you if you’re not willing to see the truth.”
“Truth? Are you saying my dear Leigh is an outlaw?” he chuckled.
“Seems that way to me.”
“She wouldn’t hurt a fly. Besides, she loves me.”
“Just draw her guns at you...”
“Well, I think she was just confused.”
“That’s love for you,” Desi said and Krell nodded.
“I’m going to talk to someone who might be a bit less biased. You stay safe, Krell.”
I walked down the street towards the saloon and found Bob and Gigi being close behind the counter. I cleared my throat and shifted on my feet, trying not to feel jealous. “I’m sorrry to interrupt you two but... I need to speak with Bob if I could.”
“What’d I do?” Bob looked at me with an innocent look.
“I need to go to the dressing room to set out costumes,” Gigi slid off the bar with a grin. “Feel free.”
“Whatcha need me for?” Bob asked, staying behind the bar as Gigi left the room.
“I just need information about last night’s dance,” I walked over and nodded to Gigi my thanks.
“Oh a grand party it was!”
“Heard Leigh’s back.”
He wiped the sweat off his brow and his eyes widened as he chuckled, “Aye she was quite a riot that was, she came in all huffed up and mussed up and stinkin’ like a pig in summer. And she had a noose around her neck too!”
“How’d she seem? Calm? Confused?”
“Not calm at all,” he laughed. “Pissed at Krell I believe, hard to hear it all, and make out what she said in the crowd. Big commotion it was. Krell first came in all sad she was kidnapped, not knowing what to do. Then he dances with one of the ladies. Then Leigh comes stormin’ in talkin’ about being left in a ditch.”
“Uh huh...” I nodded, prompting him to continue.
“And she dances with Krell I think at some point...with the noose still on her neck.”
“Why wouldn’t she have gotten someone to remove it for her?”
“Not sure, guess she was tired, or mad or crazy as a bat, dress was all muddy too. She said she had to eat bugs too.”
“Seems awfully strange. Any other outlaws around?”
“Probably, they all look the same to me.”
“What else can you tell me?”
“Hmm... Well think David mentioned he was gonna follow Krell... don’t know why.”
“Hmm... Best talk with David.”
“That boy’s got a funny look about him. I don’t trust him... with his beady eyes.”
“David’s harmless,” I chuckled.
“Just like a deer... never trust deers. I was walking in the forest once... Collectin’ nuts in a bag I had. And all the sudden I sees is beady eyes lookin’ right at me... And they jumped me... bunch of deers... trampled me... Stepped all over me bag... and ate my nuts.”
“That’s why I stick to people. I can usually read them better.”
“Well I’ll let you get back to whatever it is you were doin’ when I walked in...” I looked at him and chuckled. “Thanks for your time, Bob. I appreciate it.”
I walked down the street and found Strider standing outside his house. I asked him if we could talk and we headed inside.
“Any new happenings in town?” he asked.
“Yeah. Leigh showed up at the saloon in Diamond last night. With a noose tied around her... and she was lookin’ back and forth with Jewel...”
“She like a noose around her?”
“She asked Krell to go to the bakery with her and when they got there, Jewel stormed in and drew her guns at Krell. Then Leigh did the same thing. Then Mac came in and tied Krell up. He and Jewel dragged Krell away somewhere’s and Leigh said something like ‘Where’s my cut’. He escaped and a ranger came and took him to get healed.”
“Decoration? So he ok but we got some kidnapping charge.”
“But the problem is we don’t know who. Other than Mac and Jewel.”
“Them did it,” he nodded.
“It’s my belief Leigh’s workin’ with them too but that could be just how I’m reading the situation. I hope Krell files a report but I ain’t sure if he will.”
“That all we got. He the one who can do it.”
“Just wanted to keep you apprised of the situation, since you and Daryl helped me out the other day.”
“Well thank ya.”
“If you see Daryl, tell him to come find me?”
“I will do,” he said and I nodded, heading outside.
I went back into town and talked with Jess about all that was going on with Leigh and then headed for Tombstone.
Tombstone.
We received the court docket in the mail this afternoon and I decided to gather witness statements so that I would be prepared if I was needed to be a prosecutor. The first case was a murder charge against the Apache chief. I knew that I wanted to get both sides of the story so I decided to head to the trading post to see if his wife was there. I wore my Native outfit from years ago, hoping it would help her trust me if she knew I was one of them, even if it was a few generations back.
Aleaya was working outside and I smiled, “Dago Te, Ma’am.”
“Dago Te,” she nodded. “You come trade? Apache have good thing.”
“No actually... I was hoping to find you here. I’m working on the case about your husband’s murder charge.” She frowned a bit and I said, “I am a prosecutor and am hoping to get justice for your husband.”
“My husband no murder. You want rope on his neck?”
“No... Alphawolf’s murder trial, ma’am... I want to bring justice to the ones who did evil towards him.”
“This what I get tell.”
“I am very sorry for what you have suffered, and for what he has suffered.”
“My husband was wronged, our family was said bad things against.”
“I understand. I was hoping that I could get you to tell me what you witnessed... And maybe I can read it in court.”
“Call our papoose critter, our papoose not rat,” she said.
“What’s a papoose?” I asked curiously.
“In your words our baby son. My husband, Chief of tribe, is his duty to protect family and tribe.”
“Can you tell me what happened that day?”
“We just look, we not bother no one. Woman come to us. I back behind husband, I not trust. She say bad things. Then my husband, he need to react. Is Apache way, not to do this. She put her hand to her guns. Put us in danger and my papoose. Left Chief no choice but attack. ‘Dago Te’, I say. She make fun of language. My husband try tell her, she not like this. So this all happen. We just stand quiet and look. Not cause trouble. So he no choice when see she went for guns to protect us.”
“Of course. Apache protect their family.”
“Why you ask me all this? Ussen know what happen,” she said, using the Native term for “God”.
“I’m a lawyer... but I am also one of you...” I said hesitantly.
“Do you know what happen if rope on my husband, Chief of tribe neck.”
“I have had clothes like this for a long time ma’am because... I’m an Apache, just like you. Four generations back. I am usually a prosecutor but if there is some way I can help your family....”
“White eyes will take father, loyal husband, and the one who keep the tribe alive. This very bad. Many tribes could come together.”
“Well now that I have your statement... I want to talk to the judge and see what I can do.”
“Or our tribe could die. My sons grow up without father. The tribe not have Chief. And we do nothing but look.”
“I know, ma’am. I am going to see what I can do.”
“Is this white eye’s way...?”
“This helps... to get a clearer picture of what happened.”
“I not understand why this law come for him on our land
I sighed and said, “That is an age old debate, ma’am. One I wish not to get in the middle of... but I assure you... Justice should be done here.”
“They come shooting bullets. Apache react to what we live. We do nothing wrong.”
“I know...” I sighed. “Aleaya... I’m struggling. I’m a prosecutor... I shouldn’t even be talking to you like this... but because I’m part Apache... I know that your husband deserves justice and was only protecting his family.”
“What is this you tell me? I not understand,” she said, trying to repeat the word ‘prosecutor’.
I looked around and then back at her. “Lot is helping to bring your case to justice... to make sure that the Chief is not hanged... Normally I would be on the other side, making sure that the man is hanged for the crime. But in this case... It’s different. I know he doesn’t deserve that punishment.”
“He do right.”
“I know he did. That’s my point.”
“Ussen take care of him.”
“Yes... Ussen did. No other prosecutor would think that he did.”
She made a face and said, “You take message to your people. He do nothing wrong. He protect family from bullet or we would die and my papoose.”
“I will do that, I promise. Even if it gets me laughed at by the whole court.”
“I not trust white eyes.”
“I know, and you have good reason for that.”
“Want see rope on his neck.”
“I hardly trust them either some days,” I smiled softly at her.
“My husband, he talk to man in your town call Lot.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be talking to him.”
“You bring the words I say to him. We only look. ‘Dago Te’, I only say. She want trouble, call names. Go for guns. Would killed us had he not do what did.”
“I should let you get back to your family.Thank you for meeting with me... I hope that we will have justice for your husband.”
“He protect his family. Yadalanh,” she waved goodbye.
“Yadalanh,” I waved and headed home, taking a deep breath as I did. I went to my apartment and changed out of my outfit and back into my normal clothes. I wanted to throw something across the room but told myself to calm down. Either I prosecuted one of my own or I go against my normal position in court and help the other side.
Black Diamond.
I walked into the saloon in Diamond, needing a drink. I met a man named Axle there who was talking with the others and tried to focus on the conversation as I drank my whiskey slowly. After sitting there a while, I started to think about the consequences of my conversation with Aleaya and the fact that w still didn’t know what exactly was going on with Leigh. I finished my whiskey and stood shakily, holding onto Jack’s shoulder to steady myself.
“You okay Trin?” he asked and I shook my head, close to tears as I felt myself trembling. “You don’t look so good.”
I shook my head against his chest, trying to calm down.
“She sure doesn’t,” Krell agreed.
“Jack I...” I blinked, looking at him. “I need fresh air. Come with me?”
“Okay, sure,” he nodded. We walked outside and I tried to calm down but I felt the tears starting to fall. “You okay, Trin?”
“I... I just feel like my world is spinning and I can’t...” I shook my head.
Sommer and Ella came over then and I knew I couldn’t talk about my problem with the trial while Ella was there. Jess came over and she suggested that I follow her to the clinic. I conceded, knowing that I needed to talk to someone about this but I couldn’t do it in the open.
When we got inside, Jess asked, “Okay girl, what are yer symptoms?”
“I’m really okay I just... panicked and needed to get out of there,” I said.
“Jump up here on the table.”
“Seriously, I’m fine,” I shook my head. “I just needed fresh air.”
“A bit claustrophobic?”
“Stressed.”
“What’s goin’ on, Trin?” she asked and I looked down. “Is the job too much?”
“No it just...” I looked around, making sure no one was within earshot.
“I swear I will not reveal what you tell me. That is part of my oath as a doc.”
“I’m really okay I just... panicked and needed to get out of there. But...”
“But what?”
“The first case was for an Apache chief and... I went to talk to Aleaya about what she witnessed and...” I took a deep breath.
“Go on.”
“I can’t prosecute him, Jess. I can’t. He’s not guilty. But I never take the defense side. And now I’m considering helping the defense side with giving them her statement because... I’m part Apache,” I said, kicking the bed post in frustration.
“Do you mean the Chief is not guilty?”
I nodded and sat on the bed, looking right at her. “V was making fun of his son. She drew first. He was protecting his family, as any Apache chief would.”
“No one that I know of, knows your family history... and I’m not about to tell anyone without your permission.”
“Only Ty and Skyla... It’s four generations back but I have had a long history with the Apache and... I want to handle this right this time. I have to. If I don’t...” I looked down, remembering too many painful memories. “I s’pose Pet knows too... But that’s it. And well Alex but that’s cause we were practically married.”
“Yer talking about when V was killed?”
“I guess,” I nodded. “Jess it’s so messed up... I have to give this statement to Lot, I have to. But I have to do it anonymously. Or else...”
“I went to see about V and I guess he figured I was there to attack him also and he jumped over V and attacked me,” she told me. “You have to be honest. If V drew first , he was protecting himself.”
“V had her guns drawn him, Jess. On his son. His wife. What else was he supposed to do?”
“Yes, she can be a little too much of a hot head.”
“See? So what am I supposed to do?”
“She doesn’t know how to handle the Apaches.”
“Nobody does... Not well, anyway.”
Jess looked me in the eye and said, “Trin you have to do what is right. If it upsets V, she will get over it. If not then things will work out for what is supposed to happen.”
“You’re right... It just..” I sighed.
“You can’t write something that is not true.”
“Look V is my blood sister. We grew up together aboard her father’s ship. We bonded just like Apaches would. I think that is why I love them so. But if she is in the wrong, then she needs to know and be held accountable for it.”
“Thanks Jess... I just... I guess I needed to talk to someone but I couldn’t do it while there were other people from law and court around.”
“I love her too but right is right. You ned not worry. What has been said here didn’t happen.”
“Thanks, Jess... I appreciate it. You’re a good friend.”
“I try to be,” she said and I hugged her gently. “To everyone. Now Detective, do your job!”
We heard shooting outside and I headed out and said, “I’m gonna go write this thing up.”
“Good girl.”
David walked over and I said, “Dave... Walk with me to the office?” He nodded and we walked into the office.
Along the way, w hard gunshots and I heard Mac shouting at the deputy. I shook my head, guessing that they weren’t going to get arrested today. As David came into the office, I was already writing up the statement but then felt my pen freeze in my hand.
“I should have a look but I ain’t had much luck with Wild Bunch lately,” David said.
“Not in the mood to get shot right now. Haven’t been shot since August... I’d like to see if I can keep it that way.”
“Deputy down!” Mac shouted from outside and I rolled my eyes at that shout.
“You work for both sides of the court, right?” I looked at David.
“Prosecution mainly.”
“Ever feel the need to defend the other side?”
“Yeah that case with Jewel... the evidence just wasn’t there but still I had to prosecute.”
“What if it’s not about evidence... What if you just... felt like you had to defend? Or help the defense?” I asked, finishing the paragraph from my conversation with Aleaya, keeping it as much in her words as I could.
“So something more personal then just good or bad?” he nodded.
“More personal.”
“I see,” he nodded again.
“Like it was a matter of going against your own people, or defending them,” I folded up the statement and took a deep breath. “You know what this is?” I asked and he reached over to lay his hand on the paper. “This could be the death of me. Or at the very least, the death of my career as a prosecutor.”
“Trin you gotta go with your heart, sometimes we only got that.”
“If people knew that I wrote this, that I’m giving it to the defense...”
“What feels right to you?”
“I can’t let this man be hanged for protecting his family, David. I just can’t.”
“What is it?” he asked, looking at the paper.
“This is the statement of an Apache wife. The chief’s wife. Defending her husband’s actions in protecting his family against V.”
“I stand with what I said before.”
“Damn it, David... Why is this so hard? I know it’s the right thing and I know I can do this anonymously. No one has to know that I’m giving this to Lot..”
“So whats the issue? Sounds to me like you got it worked out.”
“But I can’t not. She was a witness. I just wanted to get a statement from everyone that was there.. I’m scared...”
“Trin, what’s right is right.”
“Thanks David... I just...” I swallowed hard and stuffed the envelop in my vest. “I should go find Lot.”
“Yeah of course Trin let me know if you need anything,” he nodded as he went to check something on the floor where a corner of the rug had been pulled up. I nodded back to him and headed out of the office.
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